Overview
The right to COBRA continuation coverage was created by a federal law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985.
COBRA continuation allows you, your covered spouse and/or dependents, to temporarily continue your health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and/or healthcare flexible spending account if you were enrolled but lose eligibility. In most cases, such as termination of employment, coverage can be continued for up to 18 months. In some cases, coverage may be continued for up to 36 months. For more information, including eligible COBRA events, review the COBRA: Continuation of Coverage Rights for the Group Health Insurance Program.
If you and/or your covered dependents lose eligibility for coverage, you will be mailed a COBRA notice which outlines your continuation rights for the plan(s) you were enrolled in.
Note: You may be able to enroll in coverage through your spouse’s employer through a “special enrollment period”. Or you may be able to purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. These options may cost less than continuing coverage through the Universities of Wisconsin. Compare your options to determine what is best for you and your family.
Benefits Plans
Below is information on each plan that you may be eligible to continue coverage for.
You may be eligible to continue your State Group Health Insurance coverage by paying the total premium.
- For employees, continuants and retirees without Medicare: total premium information
- For Graduate Assistants / Short-Term Academic Staff employees: total premium information
You may be eligible to continue your Dental Insurance coverage by paying the Dental Insurance premium.
You may be eligible to continue your Vision Insurance coverage by paying the Vision Insurance premium.
You may be eligible to continue your Health Care Flexible Spending Account by paying your contribution amount to the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF).
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits are automatically available to employees for 12 months following termination of employment. There is no cost for you to continue to use the EAP benefits following termination of employment. Review the EAP web page for information on how to contact the EAP.
Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, and Accident Insurance plans are not subject to COBRA regulations; however, you may be able to convert or port the plans you were enrolled in if you lose eligibility. Review the Life Insurance web pages, and AD&D and Accident Insurance web pages for more information.
Continuation Forms
If you and/or your covered dependents lose eligibility for coverage, UW-Shared Services, Service Operations will send you a COBRA notice which will outline your continuation rights for the plan(s) you were enrolled in. Contact UW-Shared Services, Service Operations at serviceoperations@support.wisconsin.edu or (888) 298-0141 to request continuation applications.
Every effort has been made to ensure this information is current and correct. Information on this page does not guarantee enrollment, benefits and/or the ability to make changes to your benefits.
Updated: 04/16/2024