Continuation of Benefits Coverage (COBRA) - Colorado

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

The state laws have provisions that go beyond federal requirements. The state laws are called out below, and represent some areas where the state goes beyond the federal requirements under federal COBRA.

State

Contact

Colorado Division of Insurance

Regulations

This state has enacted provisions in response to the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) in regard to COBRA continuation. See HB 1349.

§10-16-108

www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/Colorado/

 All plans are covered as long as they provide hospital, surgical, or major medical insurance or any combination of these on an expense-incurred basis, for other than specified diseases or accidental injuries only.

Plans must provide that an employee or dependent, whose insurance under the group policy has been terminated for any reason other than discontinuance of the group policy in its entirety, is entitled to a conversion policy as long as the employee or dependent was covered for at least three months immediately prior to termination.

Upon the termination of employment, employee death, or change in marital status, the employee or dependent has the right to continue the coverage for a period of eighteen months after loss of coverage. The employee must have been continuously insured under the group policy for at least six months immediately prior to termination.

Federal

Contact

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Regulations

26 CFR 54.4980B-1 et seq.