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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