What happens if you have health insurance through your employer and you leave your job?

If you leave a job where you have had employer-sponsored health
insurance, you will want to ensure that you have continued
protection against the high costs of health care. Whether you leave
the job on your own or you are forced to leave, there is a Federal
law that may help you to maintain coverage.
Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1985 (commonly known as COBRA), group health plans
sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees are required to
offer continued coverage for you and your family for 18 months
after you leave the job. In some cases, the COBRA period may be
extended past 18 months. In order to continue your coverage under

COBRA, you must notify your employer that you intend to do so
within 60 days of losing your employer’s health coverage. You also
must pay the entire premium for the cost of the coverage.
Some States have laws similar to COBRA that apply to employers
with fewer than 20 employees. To find out if this applies in your
State, contact your State Insurance Commissioner. Check the blue
pages of your local phone book for contact information.
If COBRA doesn’t apply in your case, you may be able to convert
your group policy to individual coverage. Or, you may decide to
purchase a short-term policy if you plan to take another job in the
near future. If you open your own business and become selfemployed,
you may be able to obtain health insurance through a
trade or professional association.