Health and Safety

In today’s economy, there is very little job security. Unfortunately, one of the secondary effects of losing your job is that you lose your health coverage as well. Thankfully there are programs in place that can extend your health coverage for up to 18 months following a termination, career change, or even retirement.

COBRA insurance was enacted into a law to protect you from losing your healthcare in scenarios such as getting fired or laid off. Officially known as the Consolidation Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, it is designed to provide medical insurance coverage for employees and their families even after they’ve severed ties with their employer. People must also understand that COBRA is a law, not an insurance package.

Before COBRA medical insurance was enacted to cover medical needs of terminated employees, the group health plans of terminated workers and those who changed employers were immediately cancelled. With the advent of COBRA insurance, Read More

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor recently reported that employment continued to fall sharply in February (-651,000), and the unemployment rate rose from 7.6 to 8.1 percent. Payroll employment has declined by 2.6 million in the past 4 months. In February, job losses were large and widespread across nearly all-major industry sectors. Are you or your spouse one of the 8.1% Are you worried about joining this group? If you own a small business or are thinking about starting that small business then you need to understand how COBRA can have a dramatic impact on your financial future. Here are 7 things you need to know right now!

1. What is COBRA continuation health coverage? Congress passed the landmark Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health benefit provisions in 1986. The law amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Public Health Service Act to provide continuation of group health Read More

What is Cobra? And how do I figure this out? There is a huge challenge faced by many people today; you’ve just been leg go by your employer. Basically, you have no income, and no health insurance benefits. Currently, the last thing you want to do is send money to your ex-employer for health insurance benefits. However, that is most likely what you’ll need to do. Are you covered? You are likely eligible to be covered by your employer’s COBRA health insurance plan. You must pay the premiums yourself; you will be eligible to remain covered, without any lapse in benefits, by your previous employers plan.

What is COBRA and how do I get it? Prior to 1986, loss of employment would also mean loss of you and your families health insurance coverage (if they were also covered by your employer). In 1986, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) was passed. COBRA health insurance provides you the right to extend your employer-provided Read More