| If you involuntarily lose your job or suffer | | | | |
| a reduction in work hours that results in a | | | | To qualify for coverage under Missouri law: |
| loss of group health insurance coverage for | | | | |
| any reason other than for gross misconduct | | | | - The group policy must have been delivered |
| (the "qualifying event'), and your former | | | | or issued for delivery in Missouri |
| employer has more than 20 employees and you | | | | |
| were covered by a group insurance plan, under | | | | - The employee or member of the group with |
| federal law you may be entitled to continue | | | | the health insurance must have been |
| your prior coverage. | | | | continuously covered under the group policy |
| | | | for the 3 months immediately prior to the |
| The federal law that applies is called COBRA. | | | | termination of coverage |
| | | | |
| To potentially qualify for COBRA coverage, | | | | - The employee or member must request |
| you must be: | | | | continuation of coverage in writing within 31 |
| | | | days of the date that coverage would |
| - An employee who had a voluntary or | | | | otherwise terminate |
| involuntary (other than for gross misconduct) | | | | |
| termination of employment (a "covered | | | | - The spouse of an employee or member whose |
| employee") | | | | coverage would otherwise terminate due to |
| | | | divorce or the death of the member or |
| - The spouse or dependent child of the | | | | employee has the same rights to continuation |
| covered employee | | | | of coverage as the employee or member. |
| | | | |
| - The widow(er) or orphan of the covered | | | | Coverage is NOT available to individuals who |
| employee | | | | are or could be covered by Medicare or |
| | | | individuals who are or could be covered by |
| - The former spouse of the employee | | | | any other insured or uninsured arrangement |
| | | | that provides hospital, surgical or major |
| - The child of the former spouse of the | | | | medical coverage for a group of which the |
| employee and the employee | | | | individual was not a covered immediately |
| | | | prior to the termination of coverage. |
| The cost of insurance coverage under COBRA is | | | | |
| a maximum of the premium paid by the employer | | | | The continuation coverage must include |
| for the insurance plus a 2% administrative | | | | maternity coverage, if maternity coverage was |
| fee. If the employer previously subsidized | | | | provided under the group plan before, but it |
| the cost of the insurance, it may - but is | | | | need not include dental, vision care or |
| not required to --continue to provide this | | | | prescription drug or any benefit other than |
| subsidy. | | | | hospital, surgical or major medical benefits. |
| | | | |
| The time for which continuation coverage is | | | | The person electing to continue the coverage |
| available depends on the type of event that | | | | must pay to the policy holder, monthly, the |
| triggered the availability for COBRA | | | | amount of the premium required to maintain |
| coverage: | | | | coverage. That amount cannot exceed the group |
| | | | rate for coverage, but if any benefits are |
| - Employees, dependent children and dependent | | | | being excluded, the premium will be reduced |
| spouses can continue coverage for 18 months | | | | accordingly. The first premium payment must |
| when the qualifying event is job loss or | | | | be given to the group policyholder within 31 |
| reduction of work hours | | | | days of when the coverage would otherwise |
| | | | terminate. |
| - Dependent spouses and children can continue | | | | |
| coverage for 36 months if the covered | | | | The laws regarding the continuation of health |
| employee becomes eligible for Medicare, there | | | | insurance following the termination of |
| is a divorce or legal separation or if the | | | | employment or the reduction of work hours |
| child loses dependent status | | | | resulting in the loss of health insurance |
| | | | coverage are complex and every situation is |
| In some cases where an individual is not | | | | different. Do not rely on this summary to |
| eligible for coverage under COBRA, Missouri | | | | make decisions: speak to your group health |
| law gives the right to continue coverage for | | | | insurance administrator of the Missouri |
| up to 9 months in certain limited | | | | Division of Insurance for advice on your |
| circumstances. | | | | particular situation. |