Summary
COBRA is the continuation of current health coverage under the WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan. COBRA may be available if a Qualifying Event occurs which would cause the member to be ineligible for health benefits. Health plan benefits provided while under COBRA coverage are the same as those benefits provided by the WELS VEBA.
Election Period
The member must inform the Benefit Plans Office within 60 days of their Qualifying Event in order to be eligible to elect COBRA. The member then has 60 days from the date of the Qualifying Event or the date that the Benefit Plans Office provides Notice to the Member of the Qualifying Event and the Member's rights, whichever is later, to elect COBRA coverage.
If COBRA is elected within this time period, the member then has 45 days after the election date to pay the initial premium.
Duration of COBRA coverage
COBRA coverage may be available for 18, 29, or 36 months, depending on the Qualifying Event. Please contact the Benefit Plans Office or review the WELS VEBA plan for more information regarding the duration of COBRA coverage.
Qualifying Events
A qualifying event means the end of the calendar quarter in which the following event occurs:
- The Member dies
- The Member terminates employment or is terminated for reasons other than gross misconduct
- The Member is ineligible as a result of reduced working hours
- The Member's spouse is ineligible as a result of divorce or legal separation
- The Member is entitled to benefits under Medicare
- A Dependent child is no longer a Dependent under the terms of the Plan
- The Member notifies the Sponsoring Organization that he or she will not return or fails to return from FMLA leave
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