re: #219 Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch

Here’s the text of that section of the COBRA paperwork:

Here’s the relevant section on my COBRA paperwork:

“Another extension of the original 18-month (or 29-month, if applicable) continuation period can occur if, during the 18 months or 29 months of continuation coverage, a second qualifying event takes place (divorce, legal separation, death, Medicare entitlement, or dependent child ceasing to be a dependent). If a second qualifying event occurs, then the 18 months of continuation coverage will be extended to 36 months from the date of the original qualifying event for the qualifying beneficiary, spouse, and/or dependent child. If a second qualifying event occurs, it is the qualified beneficiary’s responsibility to notify the Trust in writing within 60 days of the second qualifying event and within the original 18-month or 29-month COBRA period. In no event, however, will continuation of coverage extend beyond three years from the date of the event that originally made the qualified beneficiary eligible for continuation coverage.”

Since we got divorced and then I got the COBRA coverage, I’m reading it that I don’t have any secondary events to qualify for that additional 18 months.

Correct, if a spouse gets COBRA because they divorced an active, there’s no 18 month extension because they get the maximum 36-month eligibility to start with.

The really relevant section is the part that lists your personal Qualifying Event reason, Qualifying Event Date, and the end of your particular eligibility as determined by the Event reason. If your paperwork doesn’t say flat out that you ARE eligible for 36 months, get hold of the admin pronto.