COBRA

Open Enrollment is now closed. If you have questions about your benefits or would like to make changes to your benefits due to a qualified life event, please contact the HR Solution Center at AskHR@virginia.edu.

UnifyHR manages the Open Enrollment process for all COBRA participants. The Open Enrollment process for all other employee categories are managed through UVA.

Eligibility

Under a federal law called the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), you and your eligible covered dependents may continue your group health benefits when your coverage is lost due to a qualified life event, including:

• The death of a covered employee
• The termination of an employee (not considered gross misconduct), or the reduction of hours of a covered employee's employment
• The divorce of a covered employee from the employee's spouse
• A covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act
• A dependent child losing eligibility

COBRA Premiums

COBRA premiums are listed on the Open Enrollment Health Plan 2024 webpage and on UnifyHR's website.

Action Items

If you are a COBRA participant, here's how to get started:

Be Informed

• Visit the UVA Open Enrollment Resources 2024 webpage for tools to help you choose your 2023 benefits. 
• Complete benefit summaries, plan comparisons, required annual notices, and rates are available on the UnifyHR website. 
• COBRA premiums are also listed on the Open Enrollment Health Plan 2024 webpage.
• Visit the UnifyHR web portal to:
  • Review comprehensive plan information to help you make informed decisions
  • Access plan comparison charts and premium rates for each plan and coverage level
  • Modify dependent information to ensure accuracy for your coverage needs this coming year
  • Finalize your enrollment

Contact UVA HR

• Notify UVA HR of your divorce or child’s loss of dependent status within 60 days of the event in order to be eligible to elect COBRA.
• Keep UnifyHR informed of any family member address changes.
• UnifyHR can provide up-to-date monthly rates upon request.

Enroll through UnifyHR

• Important for current employees: Calling UnifyHR to get rates before terminating? Make sure to tell the UnifyHR representative at the beginning of your call. Otherwise, they will see you are not on their terminated employee list and will tell you that you are not eligible for COBRA.
• Apply yourself, your spouse, and/or your dependent children (if applicable) for coverage under COBRA following the qualified life event.
• Review the letter of notification you receive (if any) from the COBRA Administrator regarding the amount you owe and when your payments are due. No additional notices will be sent.
• Follow the directions in the “To Enroll Online” section in the letter mailed to your home from UnifyHR to make a new election or review benefits information.
• Email UnifyHR or call 888.878.6175 with questions.

Premium Payments

• UVA Health plan members pay 102% of the premium (total cost of plan coverage for a participant), in accordance with procedures permitted by applicable law. (Coverage is only provided if self-payments are made on time and in full.)
• If you have a medical expense at a time when you have not made payments, no claims will be paid.
• You must make all premium payments before being reimbursed for covered expenses.
• Make monthly payments to UnifyHR (our COBRA administrator) to keep your coverage.

No internet access? If you cannot access the Internet, please contact UnifyHR at 888.878.6175 to request an enrollment packet by mail.

Length of Coverage

You may continue coverage for a maximum of 18 months after a qualified life event. COBRA coverage for you and your dependents only extends from the first qualified life event (if you have more than one).

In some cases, maximum coverage may exceed 18 months:

• Termination or reduction in hours while disabled (as determined by the Social Security Administration) - 29 months for you, your spouse, and your dependent children.
• Divorce or annulled marriage - 36 months for your spouse and your dependent children who were covered under the plan.
• Dependent child no longer qualifies as dependent - 36 months for your dependent child.
• Death - 36 months for your spouse and your dependent children who were covered under the plan at the time of your death.