Health Benefits Advisor

Not Covered Under Former Employer's Group Health Plan on Last Day

If you and your family were not covered under your former employer's or employee organization's (such as a union) group health plan on the day before you changed jobs, you and your family do not have the right to COBRA continuation coverage.

However, there may be other options available that may assist you and your family in obtaining health coverage. For example, you and your family members may have the right to enroll in your new employer's plan. You may also be eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) or other health coverage.

In choosing among the options available to you, you should review the SPD (summary plan description) for all available group health plans to determine which plan best meets your needs. You should also review and compare the information on the other coverages for which you are eligible. In making your decision, you may want to consider such things as:

1. Any waiting period (or affiliation period) imposed under the plans;
2. Types of benefits offered (Is dependent coverage available? Do the benefits cover your family medical needs?);
3. Cost of coverage (premiums, co-payments, and deductibles for prescription drugs and doctor visits);
4. Limitations on coverage; and
5. Any exclusions from coverage (treatments, procedures, conditions or prescription drugs).

• Return to the Changing Jobs Page
• Return to the Life and Work Events Page
• Return to the Employees and Their Families Page
• Return to the Information for Uninsured Persons Page
• Go to Department of Labor elaws Home Page