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COBRA
	What is the Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA)? Could I be eligible for a reduction in my COBRA premiums under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Under what circumstances would coverage under the Fund terminate and COBRA coverage be offered? Can all Fund benefits be continued under COBRA? How much does it cost to continue coverage? For how long can coverage be continued? How do I elect COBRA continuation of Fund benefits? 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. [back to top] Could I be eligible for a reduction in my COBRA premiums under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? If you experience a loss of MBF coverage between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, you may be eligible for temporary premium reduction for up to nine months under ARRA. To qualify for premium reduction as an Assistance Eligible Individual (AEI), your loss of coverage must have been the result of involuntary termination of your employment. If you believe that you qualify for the premium reduction, please download a COBRA application (PDF). [back to top] 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 [back to top] Can all Fund benefits be continued under COBRA? No. The Fund benefits that may be continued are Superimposed Major Medical and/or Dental and Vision. [back to top] 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). [back to top] For how long can coverage be continued? If a member's MBF coverage terminates due to reduction in hours, termination of member's employment (including unpaid leaves of absence) for any reason besides gross misconduct, or member's deferred retirement: Coverage is offered to the member, spouse/domestic partner, and dependent children for 18 months (29 months if the COBRA participant was disabled at the time of the qualifying event or becomes disabled during the first 60 days of COBRA coverage). If a member's MBF coverage terminates due the death of the member, divorce, legal separation, termination of domestic partnership, or Medicare eligibility of the member: Coverage is offered to the member, spouse/domestic partnership and dependent children for 36 months. If a child loses dependent child status: Coverage is offered to the formerly dependent child for 36 months. [back to top] 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. Download a COBRA application (PDF) [back to top]

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.

Learn More

	PICA Program
	NYC Employee Blood Program
	Collective Bargaining Agreements
	OPA Web site
	NYC.gov