How long does COBRA coverage last?

Generally, individuals who qualify initially are covered for a maximum of 18 months, but coverage may end earlier under certain circumstances. Those circumstances include:

• Premiums are not paid on time
• Your former employer decides to discontinue a health plan altogether
• You obtain coverage with another employer's group health plan (There may be some exception if your new employer's health plan excludes or limits benefits for a preexisting condition—basically a medical condition present before you enrolled in the plan. Please see the discussion on HIPAA that follows.)
• You become entitled to Medicare benefits

Employers may offer longer periods of COBRA coverage but are only required to do so under special circumstances, such as disability (yours or a family member's), your death or divorce, or when your child ceases to meet the definition of a dependent child under the health plan.