Duration
"I was just terminated for gross misconduct. I need to make sure I still have medical coverage, so how long can I have COBRA for?"
0 months
What is the process for enrolling a dependent only into COBRA coverage?
ENROLL/SHELL XTRAC
How can you pay for your COBRA benefits?
Invoice, ABW, or pension deduction (if applicable)
"I enrolled into COBRA but whoever I spoke to did it wrong and now I'm outside the window to make changes. You need to fix this."
If this is a HOBS client, where would we check to verify the ptp made their COBRA elections over the phone?
The change event log on HOBS
"I worked for Disney and am currently on COBRA. Can you tell me what date my COBRA is in effect until?"
Where would you find this answer?
HOBS Form 9
"I left my employer this week and was looking to enroll into COBRA. I didn't have any coverage for the past few months but I have an appointment coming up. I'm not seeing my enrollment choices online, can you help?"
They would not be eligible for COBRA because they were not covered under their employer plan the day before the qualifying event.
A father calls in wanting to pay a COBRA bill for his son...how would we authenticate him?
You wouldn't have to! Anyone can pay a COBRA bill
"I don't need COBRA anymore, but I know we are far away from annual enrollment so I can't make any changes to my benefits. So to work around that, should I just not pay the bills so my coverage will end? That's the best way to do it, right?"
The ptp can drop coverage at ANY time through the voluntary termination of inactive coverage life event.
*While true that the ptp would eventually TNP if they did not pay their bill, we can just end their COBRA coverage on the phone to make it easier for the ptp.*
"I was on coverage through my ex-spouse, but now COBRA will start for me effective 10/01/2026. What day is my COBRA going to end if I have it for the full time allowed?"
10/01/2029
The ptp is eligible for 36 months of COBRA.
"I am calling in for help with my benefits. I worked for Disney and need to know if I'm eligible for COBRA and how to enroll. Can you help me?"
How would we help this participant?
This is high complexity so we would get the ptp to the correct rep.
*Use today's date (9/3)*
Someone calls in wanting to switch their payment method from invoice to ABW. When is the ABW payment going to take effect?
November 1, 2026 because the October invoice would have already been sent. When ABW starts up in November it will pull the November payment and any other past amounts.
*Ptp has active coverage until 9/30*
"I am looking to enroll into COBRA coverage but I only need it for the November. Can you help me?"
While we can help the ptp enroll into COBRA, it will have to be for October and November because you cannot skip the month of October. Coverage is retroactive back to the first day without active coverage (so October 1)
"I just turned 64 and am now officially retired! Because my employer doesn't have any special retiree coverage, I am going on COBRA effective 10/01/2026. I can have it as my primary health insurance for the full 18 months correct?"
No. When the ptp turns 65 their primary health insurance will be Medicare. They may be eligible to have COBRA as a secondary, but that is plan specific.
"I just enrolled in COBRA but my friend told me I am going to have to send in a proof of good health document in order to have my coverage start up. Can you tell me where to mail this?"
Proof of good health is not required for COBRA
"I really don't want to link my personal bank account to pay for COBRA. I have my HSA with Fidelity but I'm having trouble linking it. It's asking for my account number but I have no clue what that is- can you help me?"
How can we help this ptp without connecting them to the HSA team?
Guide the ptp to Fidelity.com and you can show them where they can find their routing and account numbers for their HSA to then they can enter that as a bank account
"I am going on COBRA coverage in a few weeks and was wondering when my deductible will reset. Does that happen when my COBRA starts?"
The ptp deductible will NOT reset. COBRA is a continuation of active coverage so everything stays the same except the cost of benefits.
*Use today's date (9/3)*
"I am calling to extend my COBRA due to being social security disabled. My COBRA coverage began January 1, 2026 and I got my letter from social security on March 15, 2026. How long can I extend my coverage for?"
This customer would not be able to extend their coverage. They would have had to call in within 60 days of either starting their COBRA coverage or within 60 days of them receiving their social security letter. Because it is September, they have missed the window.
Use today's date (9/3)
"I started COBRA on July 1 of this year. I am trying to pay my COBRA bills online for July and August, but it's telling me I don't have coverage. I know I enrolled so can you help me fix this?"
The ptp cannot pay for their benefits because they TNP. This TNP cannot be reinstated because the ptp missed the initial 45 day window to send in their first COBRA payment.