COBRA

What is COBRA?

COBRA is a continuation of health coverage for individuals and families, at the individual’s own expense, when the individual terminates employment.

When to apply for COBRA

When you notify your employer of your intent to retire or separate from employment, PEBB will send you a Continuation of Coverage Election Notice, which begins a 60-day window in which you must apply for COBRA coverage. If you do not apply for COBRA during this timeframe, you will not be eligible for coverage. If you use COBRA as a "bridge" to PEBB retiree insurance coverage, you must be eligible to retire when your COBRA coverage ends.

Exception: If you are leaving a school district or educational service district that does not provide PEBB retiree insurance coverage while you are working, enroll in COBRA through your employer's insurance program.

Applying for PEBB retiree insurance coverage

If you wish to apply for PEBB retiree insurance coverage when your COBRA coverage ends, you must meet the requirements of your retirement plan at the time of application to be eligible to enroll in or defer PEBB retiree insurance coverage.

Contact PEBB if you are unsure of the eligibility requirements for PEBB retiree insurance coverage.

Timeframe	Action to take if you are enrolling in coverage:	Action to take if you are deferring coverage:
6 months prior to COBRA coverage ending	Contact DRS to request a retirement estimate.	Contact DRS to request a retirement estimate.
3 months prior to your 65^th birthday or terminating employment at age 65 or older	Contact Social Security Administration (SSA) to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B if you or any family members you wish to cover are entitled to Medicare, due to either age or disability. Make sure you understand the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Medicare and how these timelines affect the start date of Medicare. Be sure to apply for Medicare prior to the month you turn age 65. The SSA does not allow you to defer Medicare when you are on COBRA coverage and you could incur a penalty.
3 months prior to COBRA coverage ending	Request a Retiree Enrollment Guide.	Request a Retiree Enrollment Guide.
30-60 days prior to retirement	Submit your retirement application to DRS if you participate with DRS. Send PEBB: Retiree Coverage Election/Change form and any other applicable forms A copy of your Medicare ID card showing enrollment in Medicare Part A and Part B (if entitled). Write your full name and the last four digits of your Social Security number on the copy of your card. If you wish to enroll dependents who are entitled to Medicare, include a copy of their Medicare ID card. Payment for your first month’s health coverage premium (if not using pension deduction). PEBB must receive the form no later than 60 days after employer-paid coverage, COBRA coverage or continuation of coverage ends. If enrolling in a Medicare plan, PEBB should receive the forms prior to the month the retiree coverage begins. You may want to keep a copy of your forms for your files.	Submit your retirement application to DRS. Send your Retiree Coverage Election/Change form to PEBB. The form must be received by PEBB no later than 60 days after your employer-paid coverage, COBRA coverage or continuation coverage ends. You may want to keep a copy of your form for your files. You must be continuously enrolled in other qualified insurance to reenroll in the future.