COBRA group continuation chart

For groups with 19 or fewer employees

	COBRA Coverage	State Continuation
Applicability	This law applies to employer insurance policies purchased for insured or self-insured group plans, for companies with 20 or more employees.	This law regulates group health insurance policies purchased for all insured group plans, regardless of size, that operate in the state of Wisconsin.
Persons eligible for continuation	Any qualified beneficiary who – on the day before the qualifying event – is covered under the group plan and who would lose coverage under the group plan as a result of the qualifying event.	The former spouse of a covered employee upon divorce or annulment. The spouse or dependent of the covered employee upon employee’s death. The covered employee and any dependents upon termination of employment unless discharged for misconduct. Note: The employee or spouse/dependent must have been insured continuously for at least three months prior to the event.
Notification	The employer must provide written notice to each covered employee and his/her spouse of the continuation rights as provided by COBRA upon initial enrollment. Upon the occurrence of a qualifying event, the employer must notify the Plan Administrator within 30 days. Once notified, the Plan Administrator has 14 days to notify qualified beneficiaries of their COBRA election rights. The qualified beneficiary has 60 days from the date of the Plan Administrator’s notice to elect COBRA coverage.	The employer must provide notice within five days after the employer receives notification to terminate coverage.
Scope of election	A qualified beneficiary has the option to continue coverage under the group plan. The 18-month period applies to an employee and dependents if the employee and dependents lose coverage due to employee termination/employee loss of eligibility. The 36-month period applies when a second qualifying event occurs entitling the dependents/spouse to an 18 month extension. The 18-month period can be extended to 29 months if the employee/dependent is disabled.	At the time coverage would otherwise terminate, a beneficiary has the option to select continuation coverage under a group policy. The maximum length of the group continuation coverage is 18 months for the employee and dependents.
Election period	The qualified beneficiary has 60 days from the date of the Plan Administrator’s notice to elect COBRA coverage.	The election period commences on the date the insured receives notification from the employer and ends 30 days after.
Allowable premium amounts	The premium for any period of continuation coverage may not exceed the group rate in effect (including the employer’s contribution) for a covered employee.	The premium for any period of continuation coverage may not exceed the group rate in effect (including the employer’s contribution) for a covered employee.
Premium payment	Coverage under the group plan continues uninterrupted if an appropriate election is made and the premium is tendered within 45 days of the election. A 30-day grace period applies to all subsequent premium payments.	Continuation coverage continues uninterrupted if an appropriate election is made and the premium is received within 30 days after receipt of notification from employer.