COBRA Benefits: Duration of benefits

If you are a small business who is required to follow the requirements of COBRA, you should understand how long this benefit coverage lasts.  The duration of benefits depends upon the type of event, as well as the beneficiary.  In certain cases, coverage could continue for up to 36 months after the date of the event, or after the health coverage is lost.

Workers compensation benefits received by an injured employee are not necessarily affected by the requirements of COBRA.

These are the basic rules and guidelines to follow:

• in the case of termination of employment or reduction in hours — 18 months for the employee and any covered dependents
• in the case of an individual previously entitled to 18 months of coverage who is determined to be disabled — 29 months of coverage
• in the case of an individual previously entitled to 18 months of coverage who experiences a second qualifying event — 36 months of coverage
• in the case of qualifying events for reasons other than termination of employment or reduction in hours — 36 months of coverage