COBRA
COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has advisory jurisdiction over the continuation coverage requirements of COBRA as they apply to group health plans which are sponsored by state, county, municipal, or public school districts (“Public Sector COBRA”). This page provides information about Public Sector COBRA coverage and includes information that will be of interest to employers, plan administrators, and plan enrollees.
Please note that CMS does not have jurisdiction for private sector group health plans. If you are seeking information on private sector COBRA coverage, please contact the Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).
Additional Resources
Updates
- March 5, 2020 Information Related to COVID–19 Individual and Small Group Market Insurance Coverage
- March 12, 2020 FAQs on Essential Health Benefits Coverage and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- March 18, 2020 FAQs on Catastrophic Plan Coverage and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- March 24, 2020 FAQs on Availability and Usage of Telehealth Services through Private Health Insurance Coverage in Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- March 24, 2020 Payment and Grace Period Flexibilities Associated with the COVID-19 National Emergency
- March 24, 2020 FAQs on Prescription Drugs and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Issuers Offering Health Insurance Coverage in the Individual and Small Group Markets
- April 11, 2020 FAQs about Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Implementation
*This document was updated on April 15, 2020, to correct an error in footnote 10 regarding the current end date of the public health emergency related to COVID 19. - April 13, 2020 Postponement of 2019 Benefit Year HHS-operated Risk Adjustment Data Validation (HHS-RADV)