Extending Benefits past employment - COBRA
What is COBRA?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102% of the cost to the plan.
COBRA generally requires that group health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage (called continuation coverage) in certain instances where coverage under the plan would otherwise end.
COBRA outlines how employees and family members may elect continuation coverage. It also requires employers and plans to provide notice.
When you leave the district or your coverage is interrupted, we will send you a notice that you are eligible for continued benefits under COBRA with instructions on how to apply.
Benefits Administration for COBRA Participants
Once you are enrolled in COBRA your Benefits are administered through a Third Party Administrator - you will work directly with them rather than OUSD Benefits Staff for coverage and billing questions.
Please be aware that effective March 1, 2022, OUSD's new Third Party Benefits Administrator for Retiree and COBRA Participants is The P & A Group. You should receive a letter soon introducing The P & A Group and explaining the plan.
Read Template COBRA Welcome Letter
- PHONE: P &A Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 10pm EST (11AM - 7PM PST) at (800) 688-2611.
- Live chat is available during the same hours on our website, www.padmin.com by
clicking the “Online Chat” tab on the top of the page or through the “Contact Us” tab with a billing question.