Understanding COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (popularly known as COBRA) was a major piece of legislation which dealt with a wide variety of employment and insurance issues. Amending the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, it addressed tobacco prices, railroads, disability insurance, pension plans, and more. But what it is primarily known for today is its requirement that employers adopt an insurance plan that allowed certain employees to continue with the company’s health insurance coverage after leaving employment.
Many employees enjoy protected health coverage thanks to COBRA, and employers who fail to provide the required health coverage are in violation of federal law. If you or someone you love isn’t receiving the health insurance to which they’re entitled, contact the Austin employment attorneys of The Melton Law Firm, today by calling 512-330-0017.
Continued Health Coverage
Under Title X of COBRA, employers are charged a hefty excise tax if they fail to provide health insurance that will cover an employee and his or her family in the eventuality that a “qualifying event” would otherwise cause them to lose coverage. Such qualifying events include:
- The death of the employee
- An employee losing eligibility due to being fired or resigning
- Divorce or legal separation between the employee and his or her spouse
- A dependent child coming of age and no longer being covered
An employee and his or her family remain covered for 18 months in most cases following one of these qualifying events.
Contact Us
If your employer is denying you medical insurance coverage that you deserve, you have the right to fight for your insurance coverage. Contact the Austin employment lawyers of The Melton Law Firm, by calling 512-330-0017 today.
