Can COBRA benefits be discontinued?
COBRA benefits may be discontinued in the following situations: • An employer ceases to offer an insurance plan to current employees. • You become eligible for another plan (unless such plan has an exclusion for pre-existing conditions-if so, you keep your original policy until the pre-existing exclusion expires). • You apply for and obtain Medicare coverage. • You fail to pay the monthly premiums. • You fail to accept COBRA coverage within 60 days of becoming eligible for it. Where can I obtain more information about my rights to COBRA continuation coverage? Contact the Dallas office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, at 1-214-767-6831. Also, if COBRA does not apply to your situation, or if your COBRA coverage has expired, you may be entitled to state conversion or continuation options, and should contact the Texas Department of Insurance, at 1-800-252-3439 for assistance in determining whether you may be eligible. What is HIPAA? The federal
