U.S. Department of Labor
Health Benefits Advisor for Employers
Glossary
Certificate of Creditable Coverage
A written certificate issued by a group health plan or health insurance issuer (including an HMO) that shows your prior health coverage (creditable coverage). A certificate must be issued automatically and free of charge when you lose coverage under a plan, when you are entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage or when you lose COBRA continuation coverage. A certificate must also be provided free of charge upon request while you have health coverage or within 24 months after your coverage ends.
The Department has developed a model certificate that can be used by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer. Correct use of the model will generally assure compliance with the regulatory requirements.
