
MANAGEMENT
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 (OBRA) require employers to continue Medical, Dental and Vision coverage for all eligible employees and dependents for up to 18, 29 or 36 months following certain events. The purpose of this continuation of coverage is to ensure access to health coverage for employees who would otherwise lose group coverage under specified circumstances called "qualifying events."
An employee covered by a CSU health, dental or vision plan has a right to choose continuation coverage if employer group coverage is lost because:
A spouse or domestic partner of an employee, covered by a CSU health, dental or vision plan, has the right to choose continuation coverage if employer group coverage is lost for any of the following reasons:
A dependent child of an employee covered by a CSU health, dental or vision plan, has the right to choose continuation coverage if employer group coverage is lost for any of the following reasons:
If an employee does not choose continuation coverage, the employee's coverage will end. However, the employee's spouse or domestic partner and/or eligible dependents may elect continuation coverage, independent of the employee's rejection.
COBRA monthly premiums are paid for by the participant directly to the insurance carrier. The CSU does not pay any portion of the COBRA premium. The rates are calculated at total monthly premium amount, plus 2% administrative fee.
COBRA coverage is effective the first of the month, following the date of the qualifying event (ie. separation date, reduction of hours).
The CSU must notify eligible employees of their right to choose continuation coverage within fourteen (14) days of the qualifying event.
The COBRA Continuation Notification will provide the start/end date of coverage, duration of coverage, those eligible for coverage and available plans.
An employee's COBRA rights will be forfeited if the CSU does not receive notification of the employee's wish to continue coverage within sixty (60) days of the qualifying event or date of the notification.
Following the sixty (60) day election period, an employee or eligible dependents have forty-five (45) days from the date of enrollment to pay for the continued coverage. The first payment will include the cost of coverage beginning with the first date coverage would have otherwise ended. After the initial payment, the required monthly premium is due before each month of coverage. Coverage will be canceled if payment is not received within the thirty day grace period following each payment due date.
CalPERS Customer Service Center
Phone: (888) 225-7377
Website:
iSolved Benefit Services
Phone: (800) 594-6957
Website:
Vision Service Plan Customer Service
Phone: (800) 400-4569
Website:
ASIFlex Customer Service
Phone: (800) 659-3035
Website:
Email hrbenefits@csusm.edu