How to Extend COBRA Health Insurance

The law called COBRA allows employees that are fired or have quit to retain their health insurance for 18 months. Although it can be very expensive, the 18 month period is not always long enough. Unfortunately, there is only one way to extend your COBRA for the maximum time frame, 36 months.

COBRA is not a health insurance plan, but a law passed for employees to keep health insurance after they leave a job, despite being fired or quitting. The only disqualification from COBRA would be if you were fired for gross misconduct.

Disability

Should you become disabled within the first 60 days after your job ended, you can file to extend COBRA, which would then allow for the maximum time period, 36 months. You would have to have a ruling from the Social Security Administration you were disabled within those 60 days. You also have to submit a copy of the letter to your health insurance. The timelines are very strict, and they would have to receive within 60 days of the SSA ruling. The back of your insurance card will have a contact phone number and address. It's best to call first and verify the address. Mail this with a signature request through certified mail.  With this, you will know they received it because they have to sign a card that is then mailed to you for confirmation.