COBRA Trigger/Qualifying Events

The events below may trigger a special enrollment period for an employee or dependent that did not enroll in coverage when they were initially eligible or provide an opportunity to continue their current coverage through COBRA. Refer to plan documents for complete details.

Special Enrollment Period Triggers

Birth or adoption/legal guardianship
Carrier violation
Cessation of COBRA/CalCOBRA (max coverage must be exhausted)
COBRA continuation ends
Court order
Death
Dependent status is lost
Divorce or legal separation
Employee enrollment in Medicare
Lay off
Loss of dependent child status under the plan
Loss of Medicare
Loss of minimum essential coverage
Loss of provider (specific conditions)
Marriage
Misinformed current coverage was MC
Reduction in employer contribution
Reduction in hours of employment
Release from incarceration
Relocation/out-of-service area
Return from active duty
Termination (other than gross misconduct)

COBRA Qualifying Events

Death
Divorce or legal separation
Employee enrollment in Medicare
Lay off
Loss of dependent child status under the plan
Reduction in hours of employment
Termination (other than gross misconduct)

Qualifying Event Information

Details within the Qualifying Event Information table do not apply to COBRA Qualifying Events

Carrier	Days to Enroll	Date Change Effective	New Premium Effective
Aetna	60 days	Date of qualifying event	1st of the following month
Anthem Blue Cross	60 days	Date of qualifying event	Pro-rated from the Qualifying Event date
CaliforniaChoice	60 days	Effective date varies* depending on the Qualifying Event/Change of Family Status. Reference employer Admin Guide	Charged the full month in which coverage becomes effective
Cigna + Oscar	60 days	Date of qualifying event	1st of the following month
Covered CA for Small Business	60 days	Effective date varies depending on the Qualifying Event/Change of Family Status. Reference employer Admin Guide	Charged the full month in which coverage becomes effective
Health Net	60 days	Effective date varies depending on the Qualifying Event	Pro-rated from the Qualifying Event date
Kaiser Permanente	60 days	Effective date varies depending on the Qualifying Event. Reference Small Group Admin Handbook	Charged the full month in which coverage becomes effective
UnitedHealthcare	60 days	Date of qualifying event	HMO: billed for the full month PPO: pro-rated

*For marriage/domestic partnership/stepchild, the effective date is based on when the required documentation is received. If received before the 16th of the month, then coverage begins on the date of the event and premiums are charged for the full month. Otherwise coverage begins the 1st of the next month. For birth, adoption, legal guardianship, eligible dependent child, the effective date is based on the birth date or date of placement. If before the 16th of the month, then coverage begins on the 1st of that month and premiums are charged for the month. If on or after the 16th of the month, then dependent is covered at no cost under the subscriber from birth date or date of placement to the end of the month. Then coverage for the dependent will begin on the 1st of the next month.