What are employees’ responsibilities for continuing coverage?
Answer. Former employees must notify their employers in writing within 30 days of termination that they want to continue their health benefits. They are responsible for paying the premium, and payments should be made within 30 days of the due date, unless a longer period is provided by the policy. Employers can charge up to 102 percent of the cost of the premium. Former employees continuing coverage are also responsible for any increases in the premium, but the rate must be established before each 12-month cycle. What kind of coverage do I have to offer and for how long do I have to offer it? Answer. The coverage offered to former employees must be the same as coverage offered to existing workers. Specifically, the coverage must be identical to that provided to “similarly situated qualified beneficiaries,” which is to say that if an employer’s plan is altered for any group of beneficiaries, the continuation coverage must be modified in the same manner. New Jersey law provides continuat
