COBRA: Continuation of Benefits

Find out how you can continue your medical, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program insurance, and/ or your Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

COBRA enables you or enrolled family members to continue medical, dental and/ or vision coverage in the event of a qualifying event that causes a loss of coverage. WageWorks (formerly CONEXIS) is the COBRA administrator for UC's programs (877) 422-2767.

Qualifying events

Examples of qualifying events include:

• Termination of employment (except for gross misconduct)
• Reduction in employment
• Divorce, legal separation, annulment, or termination of domestic partnership
• Death of employee
• Loss of dependent child status

Length of continuation

The length of continuation varies, depending on the qualifying event.

• 18-month period for:
  • Voluntary or involuntary termination of employment (except for gross misconduct)
  • Reduction in hours (includes leave without pay or layoff)
• 36-month period for:
  • Divorce, legal separation, annulment, or termination of domestic partnership
  • Death of the employee
  • Loss of dependent child status

Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the additional 18 months of coverage under CalCOBRA will no longer be offered to employees enrolled in CORE or the UC Care medical plans.

COBRA also applies to the Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for plan participants on leave without pay or leaving UC employment. After separation of employment, WageWorks sends a "Qualifying Event Notice" explaining the procedure for continuing. If you are on leave without pay, COBRA is also an option, however the process is different.  For more information on COBRA, see UCnet.

COBRA premiums change annually. Current COBRA premiums can be found on UCnet. Premiums are billed monthly.

Notification of eligibility

Notification of COBRA eligibility depends on the qualifying event:

• Separation: After the department enters a separation date in the payroll system, WageWorks will mail a COBRA packet to the address of record.
• Divorce, legal separation, or termination of domestic partnership: As the employee, you need to take action to de-enroll family members. 
  1. Complete and submit the Life Event form (FR.065) and provide supporting documentation.
  2. If you want COBRA continuation, request a COBRA packet by completing the Notice to UC of a COBRA Qualifying Event form in UCPath.
• Over-age dependent: If you have a dependent child who is turning 26 years old, you may need to take action. Your dependent child will be automatically dropped from medical, dental and/or vision at the end of the month in which they turn 26.
  • If you wish to continue coverage for your over-age disabled dependent , you’ll need a certification from your medical carrier. Submit certification and Life Event form (FR.065) to UCPath.
  • If you want COBRA continuation, request a COBRA packet by completing the Notice to UC of a COBRA Qualifying Event form in UCPath.
  • To de-enroll the child from dependent life insurance, AD&D and/or legal, complete and submit the Life Event form (FR.066) and provide supporting documentation.
• Changes in benefits eligibility: If your eligibility for benefits changes and you lose coverage, contact support through UCPath.

Enrollment

To enroll in medical, dental, and/ or vision via COBRA, complete the enrollment application in your COBRA packet. The packet includes monthly premium information. Each plan continuation can be independent of the others. For example, you can enroll only in medical if needed. Enrollment options include mail, calling WageWorks at (877) 722-2667 or online. Be sure to keep a copy of the enrollment for your records. The Benefits Office does not receive information from WageWorks.