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17
Continuing Your Coverage
Under certain circumstances, you may continue your health coverage
when they would otherwise end. This is called COBRA coverage.
COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1985. COBRA applies to these plans:
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
When Can I Continue Under COBRA?
You and/or your dependents are eligible to continue health care
coverage under COBRA if:
You leave Allegany College of Maryland for any reason other
than gross misconduct;
Your work hours are reduced, and you are no longer eligible for
benefits;
You die;
You become entitled to and enroll in Medicare prior to losing
coverage;
You divorce or legally separate from your spouse;
Your dependent loses dependent status.
If you lose coverage because…
Then you can continue
coverage for…
You are no longer eligible
18 months
You are no longer eligible and either
you or your dependent is disabled
(according to Social Security definition)
within 60 days of your loss of eligibility.
29 months
The following chart shows how long you can continue your COBRA
coverage.
If your dependent loses coverage
because…
Then you can continue
coverage for…
Of your death
36 months
You become eligible for Medicare after
your COBRA election begins
36 months
You and your spouse divorce
36 months
He or she is no longer a dependent
(because of age or divorce)
36 months
When COBRA Ends
COBRA coverage will end before the end of the continuation period
(see chart above) if:
You become covered under another group health plan after
your coverage with Allegany College of Maryland ends (unless
the plan had Pre-Existing Condition limitations that affect you or
your dependents);
You become eligible for Medicare after your COBRA election
begins;
You do not make premium payments on time;
Allegany College of Maryland's group benefit plans are
discontinued.
COBRA Coverage
To Fit Your Needs