COBRA end date calculator: how long does continuation coverage last?
Pick the qualifying event and the date regular coverage ends to see the maximum COBRA period, the latest end date and the election deadline. Built for HR teams that answer these questions every time someone leaves or a dependent loses coverage.
Find the maximum period for a qualifying event.
Choose the event, set the dates, and the result updates as you type.
The last day the person is covered under the plan before COBRA.
Leave blank until the notice goes out.
Your COBRA dates
A planning estimate, not legal advice. Check the result against your plan document and your COBRA administrator.
How long does COBRA last?
Federal COBRA continues group health coverage for 18 months after a termination of employment or a reduction in hours. Events that happen to the family, such as divorce, the death of the employee or a child aging out of the plan, give dependents up to 36 months. A disability found by Social Security early in COBRA can extend the period to 29 months. No COBRA period can run past 36 months from the first event.
Who has to offer it?
Federal COBRA applies to employers that had 20 or more employees on a typical business day in the prior year. Smaller employers are not covered by the federal law, although state continuation rules may apply to an insured plan. The employer, the plan administrator or a COBRA vendor can send the notices, but the employer stays responsible for getting them out on time.
Common questions
When does the COBRA clock start?
The maximum period is measured from the qualifying event. Many plans end coverage at the end of the month, so the end date shown here assumes coverage ends on the date you enter and runs a full number of months from it.
What if the person finds other coverage?
COBRA can end early if the person becomes covered under another group health plan or becomes entitled to Medicare after the election. Stopped payments end it as well.
What does COBRA cost?
The person can be charged up to 102 percent of the full premium, the employer share plus the employee share and a two percent administrative fee. Our COBRA cost calculator shows the monthly amount by tier.
Does COBRA apply in Michigan?
Federal COBRA applies in Michigan to employers with 20 or more employees. For smaller employers, ask the carrier about state continuation on an insured plan.
Laws and rules referenced
29 U.S.C. § 1162 — COBRA continuation coverage: required coverage, maximum periods and premium rules.
26 U.S.C. § 4980B — The Internal Revenue Code COBRA rules and the excise tax for noncompliance.
29 U.S.C. § 1161 — COBRA continuation coverage requirement; plans of employers with fewer than 20 employees are excepted (subsection (b)).
This tool gives estimates for education, not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm your situation with a qualified advisor.
Talk to us about COBRA administration
Book a 30-minute call and we will check your notices, deadlines and who administers COBRA for your plan. Visit us at 41000 Woodward Avenue, Suite 350 East, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, or call 248.370.8853.
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