COBRA

 Department of Labor / Employee Benefits Security Administration

Congress passed the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) in 1986.  The act gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to continue the group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time.  Workers are offered this option at times of voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm (Summary of act, FAQS, and Consumer Related Information)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html (Consumer FAQS on COBRA Continuation)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/cobra99.pdf (Full Text of Act - U.S. Department of Labor Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/fsbankruptcy.html  (Fact sheet - Employer Bankruptcy Repercussions)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/FAQs/faq_compliance_cobra.html (COBRA Compliance FAQS)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/cobra.html (HIPPA Section 421 Changes to COBRA)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/regs/fedreg/proposed/2003013057.pdf (Proposed Regulations – Federal Register)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/dislocated_workers_brochure.html#section3 (Dislocated Worker – COBRA Eligibility)

Cobra Insurance.com

http://www.cobrainsurance.com/know_your_cobra.htm  (Summary of Consumer Eligibility, Rules, and Cost)

http://www.cobrainsurance.com/1999_COBRA_IRS_Regulations.htm (Final Regulations – IRS, Treasury)