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Insurance While on Leave
The State allows employees to take paid and unpaid leaves of absence for a variety of reasons. For more about when and under what circumstances a leave may be approved, contact your agency’s human resources office.
You may be able to continue your group insurance coverages for a period of time while you are on an approved leave. Please consult your human resource office for details about:
- Leave Without Pay (LWOP)
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Military Leave
- Leave With Pay
- Disability Leave
Keep in mind, after your group insurance medical and dental coverages end, you may qualify for continued coverage through COBRA.
Can I continue my FSA?
COBRA Qualifying Event
After your eligibility for group insurance coverage ends, you may be able to purchase continued medical and dental, on an individual basis, for a period of time under a federal law known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA).
Employees and/or dependents may be able to elect a COBRA continuation of medical and dental coverages. You may elect COBRA dental coverage independent of COBRA medical coverage.
| COBRA Qualifying Event | Individuals Eligible for COBRA | Duration of COBRA Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Employee's termination of employment or reduction of work hours | Employee, Spouse, Dependent child | Up to 18 months from the date Active plan coverage ends |
| Employee's death Divorce or legal seperation | Spouse, Dependent child | Up to 36 months from the date Active plan coverage ends |
| Loss of dependent child status | Dependent child | Up to 36 months from the date Active plan coverage ends |
If another qualifying event takes place during the eighteen (18) month continuation period that would entitle a dependent to a longer period of continued coverage, the COBRA period may be extended. At the most, however, coverage cannot be extended past thirty-six (36) months from the date active plan coverage terminated.
Can I use my Sick Leave balance to pay COBRA premiums?
No, the IRS does not allow for sick leave funds to be used to pay for COBRA premiums.
Termination of COBRA
Coverage will end on the earliest of the following dates:
- At the end of the applicable coverage continuation period;
- The date the required contributions are no longer made;
- The date the COBRA participant becomes entitled to Medicare;
- The date the COBRA participant becomes covered by any other group health plan; or
- The date the State terminates health care coverage for all employees.
Refer to the medical and dental plan contracts for more details about COBRA’s:
- qualifying events
- extensions
- election
- termination
- conversion privileges
COBRA Administration & Rates
Blue Cross of Idaho administers COBRA coverage for state of Idaho group members. Starting July 1, 2024 HMA (Regence BlueShield of Idaho) will administer the Medical COBRA plans and Blue Cross of Idaho will administer Dental COBRA.
FY2024 COBRA Rates – MEDICAL/VISION
| Enrollee | High Deductible Plan | PPO Plan | Traditional Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscriber | $528 | $717 | $798 |
| Subscriber and Spouse | $1,141 | $1,549 | $1,724 |
| Subscriber and Child | $739 | $1,004 | $1,117 |
| Subscriber and Children | $1,046 | $1,420 | $1,580 |
| Subscriber, Spouse and Child | $1,347 | $1,829 | $2,035 |
| Subscriber, Spouse and Children | $1,727 | $2,345 | $2,610 |
FY2024 COBRA Rates – DENTAL
| Enrollee | Rates |
|---|---|
| Subscriber | $33 |
| Subscriber and Spouse | $65 |
| Subscriber and Child | $63 |
| Subscriber and Children | $107 |
| Subscriber, Spouse and Child | $95 |
| Subscriber, Spouse and Children | $148 |