Leave + COBRA - OFFICE OF GROUP INSURANCE

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.

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. The enrollment window to elect COBRA coverage is 60 days from the end of coverage date. The effective date of the new COBRA coverage will be the first day following the end of coverage date. A COBRA information packet will be generated on the first day COBRA coverage is effective and mailed to you. You can expect to receive it in approximately 7-10 business days from Regence and approximately 7-14 business days from Blue Cross.

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.

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

To request an informational/enrollment packet, call the numbers below:

Starting July 1, 2024 HMA (Regence BlueShield of Idaho) will administer the Medical COBRA plans (1-833-670-0900). Blue Cross of Idaho will administer Dental COBRA plans (1-800-289-8613 ext. 8211).

FY2025 COBRA Premium rates – Starts July 1, 2024
FY2024 COBRA Premium rates

COBRA FAQs

What is COBRA?

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows workers and their families who lose their health benefits to continue group health benefits for limited periods under certain circumstances such as job loss, reduction in hours, and other life events.

When is my COBRA Coverage effective?

COBRA coverage is effective the day after the loss of the active coverage.

When is HMA administration of my COBRA Benefits effective?

HMA COBRA administration is effective July 1, 2024.

Who do I contact with questions regarding my COBRA Enrollments, Payments, Premiums, & Letters in relation to medical and prescription benefits?

Contact the Third Party Administrator, HMA COBRA, for questions related to enrollments, payments, premiums and letters beginning June 7, 2024 at (833) 670-0900.

Who do I contact with questions regarding my COBRA Claims, Appeals, Disputes, and Benefits?

Contact Regence at (800) 854-5585.

Who do I contact with questions regarding my COBRA dental benefits?

Contact BCI (Blue Cross Idaho) at (208) 331-8897 or (866) 804-2253.

What can I expect from HMA COBRA if I am currently enrolled on COBRA medical benefits through BCI?

For those currently enrolled on COBRA, you will receive a detailed mailing including a Change of Administration letter, confirmation of enrolled medical benefits, and premium payment submission information.

How are COBRA premium payments submitted to HMA COBRA for medical benefits?

Premium payments may be submitted online or by mail. Detailed information is included in the Change of Administration packet previously mentioned.

Can I continue my FSA?

After eligibility for group insurance coverage ends, employees enrolled in the FSA may be eligible to continue their Health Care Flexible Spending Account participation, but only on a post-tax contribution basis if their account balance exceeds contributions when employment ends. To continue coverage, the insured person must elect coverage within sixty (60) days after group coverage terminates.

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.