Overview

Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage

Many employers offer health coverage to their employees. This is known as employer-sponsored health coverage. Sometimes, the employer pays for some, or all, of the premium. For an additional premium, some of these health plans offer coverage to spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. For more information on employer-sponsored health coverage, see DB101’s Private Health Coverage program description.

Continuation Coverage - Keeping Health Coverage When Your Employer-Sponsored Coverage Ends

Your health coverage from your employer may end for a number of reasons. You may, for example, be laid off or quit your job. Your coverage would normally end at that time. There are, however, federal and state laws that may allow you to stay on that same policy for up to 36 additional months. The federal laws are called COBRA and OBRA, and the state law is called Cal-COBRA. Click here for more information on each of these laws.

Benefits Under Continuation Coverage

When you continue coverage, you’re on the same policy you were previously on and will have the same benefits as other employees on the plan. If your employer increases premiums for those currently on the plan, your premiums will increase accordingly. If your employer offers current employees an opportunity to switch plans, you will have that opportunity as well. For both COBRA and Cal-COBRA coverage, you can also choose to continue coverage you had for dental and vision benefits. If you are switching from COBRA to Cal-COBRA, the employer doesn’t have to give you the opportunity to continue these types of supplemental policies.