42 U.S.C. § 300bb–5 (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE)
§ 300bb–5. Election
(a) In general
For purposes of this subchapter—
(1) Election period
The term “election period” means the period which—
(A) begins not later than the date on which coverage terminates under the plan by reason of a qualifying event,
(B) is of at least 60 days’ duration, and
(C) ends not earlier than 60 days after the later of—
(i) the date described in subparagraph (A), or
(ii) in the case of any qualified beneficiary who receives notice under section 300bb–6(4) of this title, the date of such notice.
(2) Effect of election on other beneficiaries
Except as otherwise specified in an election, any election of continuation coverage by a qualified beneficiary described in subparagraph (A)(i) or (B) of section 300bb–8(3) of this title shall be deemed to include an election of continuation coverage on behalf of any other qualified beneficiary who would lose coverage under the plan by reason of the qualifying event. If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.
(b) Temporary extension of COBRA election period for certain individuals
(1) In general
In the case of a nonelecting TAA-eligible individual and notwithstanding subsection (a), such individual may elect continuation coverage under this subchapter during the 60-day period that begins on the first day of the month in which the individual becomes a TAA-eligible individual, but only if such election is made not later than 6 months after the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage.
(2) Commencement of coverage; no reach-back
Any continuation coverage elected by a TAA-eligible individual under paragraph (1) shall commence at the beginning of the 60-day election period described in such paragraph and shall not include any period prior to such 60-day election period.
(3) Preexisting conditions
With respect to an individual who elects continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (1), the period—
(A) beginning on the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage, and
(B) ending on the first day of the 60-day election period described in paragraph (1),
shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the 63-day periods referred to in section 2701(c)(2),1 section 1181(c)(2) of title 29, and section 9801(c)(2) of title 26.
(4) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Nonelecting TAA-eligible individual
The term “nonelecting TAA-eligible individual” means a TAA-eligible individual who—
(i) has a TAA-related loss of coverage; and
(ii) did not elect continuation coverage under this part 2 during the TAA-related election period.
(B) TAA-eligible individual
The term “TAA-eligible individual” means—
(i) an eligible TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 35(c) of title 26), and
(ii) an eligible alternative TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section).
(C) TAA-related election period
The term “TAA-related election period” means, with respect to a TAA-related loss of coverage, the 60-day election period under this part 2 which is a direct consequence of such loss.
(D) TAA-related loss of coverage
The term “TAA-related loss of coverage” means, with respect to an individual whose separation from employment gives rise to being an TAA-eligible individual, the loss of health benefits coverage associated with such separation.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXII, § 2205, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10003(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 235; amended Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(d)(5)(C), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2939; Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, § 203(e)(2), Aug. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 970.)
heading: References in Text
text: Section 2701, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is a reference to section 2701 of act July 1, 1944. Section 2701, which was classified to section 300gg of this title, was renumbered section 2704, effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, with certain exceptions, and amended, by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §§ 1201(2), 1563(c)(1), formerly § 1562(c)(1), title X, § 10107(b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 154, 264, 911, and was transferred to section 300gg–3 of this title. A new section 2701 of act July 1, 1944, related to fair health insurance premiums, was added, effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, and amended, by Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1201(4), title X, § 10103(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 155, 892, and is classified to section 300gg of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 2002—Pub. L. 107–210 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted subsec. heading, and added subsec. (b).
1986—Par. (2). Pub. L. 99–514 inserted “of continuation coverage” after “any election” and inserted at end “If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.”.
heading: Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 107–210 applicable to petitions for certification filed under part 2 or 3 of subchapter II of chapter 12 of Title 19, Customs Duties, on or after the date that is 90 days after Aug. 6, 2002, except as otherwise provided, see section 151 of Pub. L. 107–210, set out as a note preceding section 2271 of Title 19.
heading: Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in enactment of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Pub. L. 99–272, see section 1895(e) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 162 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
heading: Construction of 2002 Amendment
text: Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 107–210, other than provisions relating to COBRA continuation coverage and reporting requirements, to be construed as creating new mandate on any party regarding health insurance coverage, see section 203(f) of Pub. L. 107–210, set out as a Construction note under section 35 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
heading: Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
text: For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.