COBRA
On April 7, 1986, a federal law known as “COBRA” was enacted requiring that most employers sponsoring group health plans offer employees and their families (“qualified beneficiaries”) the opportunity to elect and pay for a temporary extension of health and dental coverage (called "continuation coverage") at group rates in certain instances (“qualifying events”) where coverage under the University’s Plan would otherwise end.
Medical/Dental/Supplemental Vision
In accordance with the federal law known as COBRA, you and your eligible family members may be eligible to continue your group membership in your health, dental and/or supplemental vision insurance plans for up to 18 months, in most cases. The cost of this coverage is generally the full monthly premium of each plan plus a 2% administrative fee.
Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
You also may be eligible to continue your participation in the Health Care FSA under COBRA for the remainder of the current plan year by making payments to Brandeis University through COBRA. However, since you will be making these payments from your own funds, there is no tax advantage. If you elect to continue in the plan, you may continue to submit expenses incurred after your termination in the Plan, as long as your contribution has been made for the period in which the expenses were incurred. You will be responsible for making payment for the full monthly contribution amount to this account plus a 2% administrative fee.
COBRA administrator
Health Equity/WageWorks, will automatically mail to your home address detailed information regarding COBRA and the forms you are required to complete to elect COBRA coverage. If you do not receive this information two weeks after your coverage end date, contact the Benefits section of Human Resources at benefits@brandeis.edu.
Please Note: You will have 60 days from coverage end date or date packet is issued, whichever is later to elect coverage and then once payment has been received coverage will be retroactively reinstated to the coverage end date.