COBRA – Enrollment Overview
If you are entitled to elect COBRA coverage, you must be given an election period of at least 60 days (starting on the later of the date you are furnished the election notice or the date you would lose coverage) to choose whether or not to elect continuation coverage.
If you reject (waive) COBRA continuation coverage before the due date, you may change your mind as long as you submit a completed COBRA Election Form by the due date. However, if you change your mind after first rejecting COBRA continuation coverage, your COBRA continuation coverage will begin not on the first day you lost coverage, but (after the appropriate insurance carrier receives your first COBRA premium payment) on the date you furnish the completed COBRA Election Form.
Each of the qualified beneficiaries for a qualifying event may independently elect COBRA coverage. This means that if both you and your spouse are entitled to elect continuation coverage, you each may decide separately whether to do so. The covered employee or spouse must be allowed to elect on behalf of any dependent children or on behalf of all of the qualified beneficiaries. A parent or legal guardian may elect on behalf of a minor child.
