Benefits for 2024 Legal Notices
COBRA
Are there other coverage optionsbesides COBRA ContinuationCoverage?
Yes. Instead of enrolling in COBRA continuation coverage, there maybe other coverage options for you and your familythrough the
Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or other group health plan coverage
options (such as a spouse’s plan) through what is called a “special enrollment period.” Some of these options maycost lessthan
COBRA continuation coverage. You can learn moreabout many of these options at www.healthcare.gov .
Can I enroll in Medicare instead ofCOBRA continuationcoverage after my grouphealth plan coverage ends?
In general, if you don’t enrollin Medicare Part A or B when you are firsteligiblebecause you are stillemployed,after theMedicare initial
enrollment period, you have an 8-month special enrollment period 1 to sign up for Medicare Part A or B, beginning on the earlier of
• The month after your employment ends; or
• The month after group health plan coverage based on current employmentends.
If you don’t enroll in Medicare and elect COBRA continuation coverage instead, you may have to pay a Part B late enrollment penalty
and you mayhave a gap in coverage if you decide you want Part B later. If you elect COBRA continuation coverage and later enroll in
Medicare Part A or B before the COBRA continuation coverage ends, the Plan may terminate your continuation coverage. However, if
Medicare Part A or B iseffective on or before the date of the COBRA election, COBRA coverage maynot be discontinued on account
of Medicareentitlement, even if you enroll in the other part of Medicareafter the date of the election of COBRAcoverage.
If you are enrolled in both COBRA continuation coverage and Medicare, Medicare willgenerally pay first(primarypayer) and COBRA
continuation coverage will pay second. Certain plans may pay as if secondary to Medicare, even if you are not enrolled in Medicare.
For more information visit https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.
If you have questions
Questions concerning your Plan or your COBRA continuation coverage rights should be addressed to the contact or contacts
identified below. For more information about your rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including
COBRA, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,and other laws affecting group health plans, contact the nearest Regional or
DistrictOffice oftheU.S.Departmentof Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in your area or visit
www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa . (Addressesand phone numbers of Regional and DistrictEBSA Offices are available through EBSA’s
website.) For moreinformationabout the Marketplace, visit www.healthcare.gov .
This booklet provides only a summary of your benefits. All services described within are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions set forth in each insurance carrier or provider’s contract.
2024 Employee Benefit Guide
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