Employers must notify plan administrators of a qualifying event within 30 days after an employee's death, termination, reduced hours of employment or entitlement to Medicare.

A qualified beneficiary must notify the plan administrator of a qualifying event within 60 days after divorce or legal separation or a child's ceasing to be covered as a dependent under plan rules.

Plan participants and beneficiaries generally must be sent an election notice not later than 14 days after the plan administrator receives notice that a qualifying event has occurred.  The individual then has 60 days to decide whether to elect COBRA continuation coverage.  The person has 45 days after electing coverage to pay the initial premium.

How long after a qualifying event do I have to elect COBRA coverage?

Qualified beneficiaries must be given an election period during which each qualified beneficiary may choose whether to elect COBRA coverage.  Each qualified beneficiary may independently elect COBRA coverage.  A covered employee or the covered employee's spouse may elect COBRA coverage on behalf of all other qualified beneficiaries.  A parent or legal guardian may elect on behalf of a minor child.  Qualified beneficiaries must be given at least 60 days for the election.  This period is measured from the later of the coverage loss date or the date the COBRA election notice is provided by the employer or plan administrator.  The election notice must be provided in person or by first class mail within 14 days after the plan administrator receives notice that a qualifying event has occurred.

The information contained in this article is general in nature.