What is the Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA)? COBRA requires that the
Management Benefits Fund offer members and their covered dependents the
opportunity to continue benefit coverage, in certain instances, when the
coverage would otherwise terminate.
Under what circumstances would coverage under the Fund terminate and
COBRA coverage be offered? Fund coverage of a member may terminate
due to a reduction in the hours of employment, termination of employment
(including unpaid leaves of absence) for reasons other than gross
misconduct.
Fund coverage of a dependent spouse, partner, or child may terminate due
to:
The death of member
Divorce or termination of the domestic partnership with member
Termination of member's employment (including unpaid leaves of absence)
for reasons other than gross misconduct
Deferred retirement of member
Reduction in the hours of member's employment
In the case of a dependent child, the dependent ceases to qualify as a
covered dependent child under the terms of the Fund's eligibility
requirement
How much does it cost to continue
coverage? To obtain rate information for the extension of individual
or family coverage, please download a
COBRA application (PDF).
The coverage period for the member, member's
spouse/domestic partner, and dependent(s) is 36 months* from the date of
coverage termination.
*If the qualifying event that gave rise to
COBRA coverage occurred prior to July 1, 2009, the
member/spouse/dependent is eligible for a total of 36 months of coverage from
the date of the qualifying event. Coverage will be extended automatically
and Healthplex, the MBF COBRA administrator, will continue to bill the COBRA
participant until the end of the 36-month period. However, please note
that COBRA participants whose maximum continuation period ended prior to July 1,
2009 may not reinstate their COBRA coverage.
How do I elect COBRA continuation of Fund
benefits? In order to elect COBRA coverage of Fund Benefits, you
will need to complete a Fund COBRA application. You may download a COBRA
application or contact the Fund Administrative Office at (212) 306-7290. From
outside New York City call (888) 4000MBF (888-400-0623), or if hearing impaired
call the TTY number at (212) 306-7629.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) EAPs are staffed by professional counselors who can help employees and their eligible dependents handle problems in areas such as stress, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental health, and family difficulties.
COBRA
