COBRA - Benefits Continuation

When your employment at Carnegie Mellon ends, or when you or a dependent lose eligibility for coverage, benefits coverage will be terminated. However, under most circumstances, you may continue the medical/prescription, dental, vision and health care flexible spending account benefits coverage through COBRA. Under COBRA, you will pay the full group cost plus a 2% administrative fee.

• 2009 Benefits Workbook for COBRA Participants (.pdf)

COBRA Eligibility

• An employee, spouse or dependent child covered by our benefits plans may buy continued coverage if you lose coverage. Common reasons for losing coverage include:
  • Separating from the University (COBRA coverage may not be available to employees whose termination is for misconduct).
  • Switching from full-time to part-time hours, or lessening your hours to a non-benefits-eligible level.
  • An adult child stops attending college full-time or turns 23.
• Employees who retire between ages 60-65 may continue their benefits coverage through COBRA until they become eligible for Retiree benefits.
• Coverage may continue for 18 to 36 months, depending on the circumstances under which you or your dependents lost coverage, or until you stop participating.
• You must enroll in the same plan that you had as a covered member, unless you were enrolled in an HMO and are moving out of the area.
• You may change plans during the annual Open Enrollment period, or add/delete dependents upon a life status change (contact the Benefits Office if you experience a status change).

Electing to Continue Coverage

1. Carnegie Mellon will notify Coordinated Benefits Corp., Carnegie Mellon's COBRA administrator, within 30 days after a loss in coverage OR
2. You must notify Carnegie Mellon within 60 days if a dependent loses benefits coverage eligibility due to a change in student status, etc. so that we may notify Coordinated Benefits Corp.
3. Coordinated Benefits Corp. will notify you within 14 days of receiving notification. You will receive a form to complete to continue coverage.
4. You have 60 days to notify Coordinated Benefits Corp. if you wish to continue coverage with COBRA.  Coverage will be retroactive to the date you lost coverage if you elect to participate.

Benefits Continuation When Coverage Ends

All University benefits terminate on the last paid date of employment, except those stated otherwise below.  Benefits may not be continued or retained after your coverage ends, except as stated otherwise below.  See the Benefits Workbook for COBRA Participants (.pdf) for benefit costs and details under COBRA.