provide notice of a qualifying event to the Plan Administrator. How to Elect COBRA Continuation Coverage The COBRA coverage election notice will list the individuals who are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage and inform you of the applicable premium. The notice will also include instructions for electing COBRA continuation coverage. You must notify the Plan Administrator of your election no later than the due date stated on the COBRA election notice. If a written election notice is required, it must be post-marked no later than the due date stated on the COBRA election notice. If you do not make proper notification by the due date shown on the notice, you and your Dependents will lose the right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. If you reject COBRA continuation coverage before the due date, you may change your mind as long as you furnish a completed election form before the due date. Each qualified beneficiary has an independent right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. Continuation coverage may be elected for only one, several, or for all Dependents who are qualified beneficiaries. Parents may elect to continue coverage on behalf of their Dependent children. You or your spouse may elect continuation coverage on behalf of all the qualified beneficiaries. You are not required to elect COBRA continuation coverage in order for your Dependents to elect COBRA continuation. How Much Does COBRA Continuation Coverage Cost? Each qualified beneficiary may be required to pay the entire cost of continuation coverage. The amount may not exceed 102% of the cost to the group health plan (including both Employer and Employee contributions) for coverage of a similarly situated active Employee or family member. The premium during the 11-month disability extension may not exceed 150% of the cost to the group health plan (including both employer and employee contributions) for coverage of a similarly situated active Employee or family member. For example: If the Employee alone elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Employee will be charged 102% (or 150%) of the active Employee premium. If the spouse or one Dependent child alone elects COBRA continuation coverage, they will be charged 102% (or 150%) of the active Employee premium. If more than one qualified beneficiary elects COBRA continuation coverage, they will be charged 102% (or 150%) of the applicable family premium. When and How to Pay COBRA Premiums First payment for COBRA continuation If you elect COBRA continuation coverage, you do not have to send any payment with the election form. However, you must make your first payment no later than 45 calendar days after the date of your election. (This is the date the Election Notice is postmarked, if mailed.) If you do not make your first
payment within that 45 days, you will lose all COBRA continuation rights under the Plan. Subsequent payments After you make your first payment for COBRA continuation coverage, you will be required to make subsequent payments of the required premium for each additional month of coverage. Payment is due on the first day of each month. If you make a payment on or before its due date, your coverage under the Plan will continue for that coverage period without any break. Grace periods for subsequent payments Although subsequent payments are due by the first day of the month, you will be given a grace period of 30 days after the first day of the coverage period to make each monthly payment. Your COBRA continuation coverage will be provided for each coverage period as long as payment for that coverage period is made before the end of the grace period for that payment. However, if your payment is received after the due date, your coverage under the Plan may be suspended during this time. Any providers who contact the Plan to confirm coverage during this time may be informed that coverage has been suspended. If payment is received before the end of the grace period, your coverage will be reinstated back to the beginning of the coverage period. This means that any claim you submit for benefits while your coverage is suspended may be denied and may have to be resubmitted once your coverage is reinstated. If you fail to make a payment before the end of the grace period for that coverage period, you will lose all rights to COBRA continuation coverage under the Plan. You Must Give Notice of Certain Qualifying Events If you or your Dependent(s) experience one of the following qualifying events, you must notify the Plan Administrator within 60 calendar days after the later of the date the qualifying event occurs or the date coverage would cease as a result of the qualifying event: Your divorce or legal separation; or Your child ceases to qualify as a Dependent under the Plan. The occurrence of a secondary qualifying event as discussed under “Secondary Qualifying Events” above (this notice must be received prior to the end of the initial 18- or 29- month COBRA period). (Also refer to the section titled “Disability Extension” for additional notice requirements.) Notice must be made in writing and must include: the name of the Plan, name and address of the Employee covered under the Plan, name and address(es) of the qualified beneficiaries affected by the qualifying event; the qualifying event; the date the qualifying event occurred; and supporting documentation
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