COBRA

COBRA

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 Administration/Enrollment

COBRA is administered for UVA by WEX (formerly Chard Snyder)

Our vendor has moved to a new enrollment/payment platform. UnifyHR is discontinued. Previous participants on UnifyHR should log in to the new WEX website.

  • Phone contact

    • If you have questions prior to your end of employment, contact UVA Human Resources with questions, as WEX will not yet have your information.

    • After the termination of coverage has been sent to WEX, you may contact them directly at 866.451.3399.

      • Information is sent to WEX weekly via electronic file after the termination date, so there may be up to a week delay after termination. Please reach out to our benefits team by emailing askhr@virginia.edu if you need assistance. 

  • COBRA enrollment and account management

 

  • WEX Health, Inc.
    PO Box 2079
    Omaha, NE 68103-2079

COBRA Premiums

Here is what you need to know and do

  • Apply for yourself, your spouse, and/or your dependent children (if applicable) for continuation of coverage under COBRA following the qualified life event.
  • The covered employee or qualified beneficiary must notify UVA HR of an employee’s divorce or dependent's loss of eligibility within 60 days of the event in order to be eligible to elect COBRA
  • Make monthly payments to WEX (our COBRA administrator) to keep your coverage. Be aware that rates may change for a new calendar year.

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 spouse and dependent children who were covered under the plan at the time of a covered employee's death.

Cost of Coverage and Enrollment

  • 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.
  • 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.