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COBRA

Are you leaving employment with the state of Ohio? Getting divorced? Has your child turned 23 and is no longer eligible for benefits? Has your child stopped taking college courses?

These are a few of the reasons you may need to continue health care coverage and/or other benefits.

Should you no longer be eligible for coverage as a state of Ohio employee, you and your dependents may continue your health care coverage for up to 18 months through COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This federally mandated program allows you to continue your medical, dental and vision benefits based on the following qualifying events:

• Termination of employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct);
• Divorce or death of employee (for eligible dependents);
• Covered employee becomes eligible for Medicare; or
• Child ceases to be eligible for coverage under the plans.

If you elect COBRA coverage, you must pay the total monthly premium (employer and employee shares) plus an additional two percent administrative surcharge.

You will not be covered under the plan during the 60-day election period until an election is made to enroll in COBRA and applicable premiums are paid.

You may cancel your coverage at any time. If you continue your health insurance under COBRA until the end of your COBRA period, you may be able to convert to a private billed-at-home policy with your same health insurance carrier. There is no conversion or private policy for dental or vision coverage.

Conversion to a Private Policy

If your COBRA coverage ends, you may have the option of converting your coverage to a private policy. Under this type of arrangement, you will be billed directly by your health care plan and you will be responsible for the entire cost. Contact your health plan to determine whether it offers a conversion policy and for information about continuing your health care coverage.

For more information on COBRA, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Web site.

For questions about COBRA, please contact HCM Customer
Service at 614-466-8857, or toll-free at 1-800-409-1205.