The Massachusetts small group continuation of coverage law (Mini-COBRA) requires small group carriers to provide for the continuation of health benefits to employees of small businesses with 2-19 employees. The Mini-COBRA law (G.L.

What is the difference between mini-COBRA and COBRA?

Unlike federal COBRA, which covers only employers with 20 or more employees, mini-COBRA laws generally cover employers with fewer than 20 employees. In some states, QBs qualify for mini-COBRA regardless of whether the covered employee was terminated for gross misconduct.

What are mini-COBRA laws?

The federal act regulates only companies with 20 or more employees. States have to pass laws to offer the insurance extension to small businesses as well. These state laws are the “mini-COBRA” laws. Even before the recent changes, these laws varied from state to state.

Can small employers offer COBRA?

It is true that, under federal law, there is no requirement for small employers to offer COBRA coverage. While federal COBRA regulations exempt employers with fewer than 20 employees, states may enact provisions that expand the COBRA requirements.

What is state mini COBRA?

Federal Small Employer Exemption Often Eliminated by State COBRA law. These states have adopted their own “mini-COBRA” legislation to expand the coverage requirement to businesses with as few as two full-time employees.

Does Mini COBRA apply to self insured plans?

The new Cal-COBRA provisions, like the original law, apply to “health care service plans,” which are defined under California law to include insured plans (including HMOs and insured PPOs), but do not apply to self-insured plans.

Who is eligible for PA Mini-COBRA?

Employees who lose health insurance coverage through their small employers may be eligible for state Mini-COBRA benefits. This is for people who work in businesses employing 2-19 employees; those who work for companies employing more than 20 people are eligible for federal COBRA benefits.

What is Mini-COBRA insurance?

California’s mini-COBRA Law Is Known As Cal-COBRA The California Continuation Benefits Act, otherwise known as “Cal-COBRA” works similarly to the federal COBRA law, but extends the coverage to workplaces with 19 or fewer employees. As with the federal COBRA law, coverage isn’t required by government employers.

How do I apply for a mini-COBRA?

What can I do when my Federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA options have been exhausted? You may be eligible to apply for individual coverage through Covered California, the State’s Health Benefit Exchange. You can reach Covered California at (800) 300-1506 or online at

Is Mini-COBRA retroactive?

Yes, COBRA Benefits Are Retroactive With No Lapse In Coverage. When you elect COBRA coverage, the effective date begins the date after your work health insurance ended. The insurance plan continues from where it left off. The coinsurance you pay toward your deductibles won’t change.

What is Mini-COBRA?

What states have mini-COBRA laws?

States with Mini-COBRA Expansions as of January 1, 2017:

• Arkansas.
• California.
• Colorado.
• Connecticut.
• District of Columbia.
• Florida.
• Georgia.
• Illinois.

What are the COBRA laws in Massachusetts?

Under Massachusetts’ Mini-COBRA law, businesses with between two and 19 employees must provide employees and their family members with a continuation of healthcare coverage for up to 12 months, under circumstances where they would have otherwise lost their health benefits.

Who is eligible for Cobra?

To be eligible for COBRA, you must satisfy all three of the following requirements: Your current health plan must be subject to the COBRA law. Not all health plans are. You must be considered a qualified beneficiary of your current health plan.

What are COBRA insurance rules?

COBRA Benefits and the Rules and Regulations. The COBRA law requires covered employers (20 or more employees) offering group health plans to provide employees and certain family members the opportunity to continue health coverage under the group health plan in a number of instances when coverage would otherwise have lapsed.

What is the federal COBRA law?

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law. The COBRA statute requires employers to offer continuation of group coverage (e.g., medical, dental, and vision) to covered employees, spouses, *domestic partners, and eligible dependent children who lose group coverage due to a qualifying event.