COBRA 60 day election period

[Guest Bearlee]

Are medical claims declined until the qualified beneficiary elects COBRA? Are the denials then approved retroactively? What are QBs' rights during the 60 day election period?

[Guest Benefit Specialist]

We do not reinstate coverage until COBRA is elected and paid. Claims are denied until those two things are received. After receipt of the election form and check, denied claims can and will be reprocessed retroactively.

[Guest Sieve]

The above post is the typical treatment of this situation--in fact, the only treatment. Potential COBRA continuees do not have the right, by law, to have coverage continued--until, that is, they actually elect COBRA coverage and pay the necessary premiums (and then are put back on the employer's health plan), at which point they have the right to retroactive coverage. So the answers to your questions are Yes, Yes, and None.