COBRA timelines in place during the COVID-19 National Emergency
Under the Disaster Relief Notice issued in response to the COVID National Emergency, the timeframe changed. The timeframe for electing and paying for COBRA is the earlier of (a) 1 year from the date you're first eligible for relief or (b) 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency (the end of the Outbreak Period), plus any remaining time under the plan. The extended timeframe for electing and paying for COBRA cannot exceed 1 year.
You must elect COBRA coverage and make the required premium payment as outlined in your Qualifying Event Notice communication from your employer for coverage to be activated and claims to be paid. It is important to understand that coverage will not be activated, and claims will not be processed, until the required premium is paid. If you do not make required premium payments timely, claims will not be paid until the premium payments are made.
The period of time for an employee to give notice of the qualified events of divorce, legal separation, loss of dependent child status, or disability determination has been extended until the earlier of: (a) 1 year from the day the qualifying event or, (b) 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency. The extended timeframe to give notice of these events cannot exceed 1 year.