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Division of Insurance - COBRA

When must qualified beneficiaries be notified?

Within 14 days after the plan administrator receives the notice of a qualifying event under COBRA, qualified beneficiaries must be notified of their right to elect continuation coverage.

The election notice must include:

• The name of the plan and the name, address, and telephone number of the plan's COBRA administrator;
• Identification of the qualifying event;
• Identification of the qualified beneficiaries (by name or by status);
• An explanation of the qualified beneficiaries' right to elect continuation coverage;
• The date coverage will terminate (or has terminated) if continuation coverage is not elected;
• How to elect continuation coverage;
• What will happen if the continuation coverage is not elected or waived;
• What continuation coverage is available, for how long, and (if it is for less than 36 months), how it can be extended for disability or second qualifying events;
• How continuation coverage might terminate early;
• Premium payment requirements, including due dates and grace periods;
• A statement of the importance of keeping the plan administrator informed of the addresses of qualified beneficiaries; and
• A statement that the election notice does not fully describe COBRA or the plan and that more information is available from the plan administrator and in the summary plan description.

A model election notice can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor website.

Return to COBRA frequently asked questions

**Resources used and quoted information for this webpage obtained from the FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage and An Employer's Guide to Group Health Continuation Coverage Under COBRA as issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

If you still have questions on COBRA:

Contact the Division of Insurance