---
title: "COBRA: keeping job-based health insurance after leaving"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/cobra-continuation-health-coverage-workers
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: US Department of Labor, \"FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage for Workers\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: career
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/cobra-continuation-health-coverage-workers
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of US Department of Labor. Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by US Department of Labor."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 2026-11-02
category: career
tags: career, health-insurance, cobra, benefits
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage for Workers"
    publisher: US Department of Labor
    url: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/cobra-continuation-health-coverage-workers
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "COBRA Continuation Coverage (fact sheet)"
    publisher: US Department of Labor
    url: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/fact-sheets/dol-fact-sheet-cobra-continuation-coverage-2016.pdf
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# COBRA: keeping job-based health insurance after leaving

# COBRA: keeping job-based health insurance after leaving

## Summary
COBRA lets workers and families keep their employer health plan for a limited time, usually 18 months, after job loss or reduced hours. It applies to employers with 20 or more employees, and you can be charged up to 102% of the full premium.

> **General information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by state; check the official source or a qualified professional for your situation.**

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] US Department of Labor, "FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage for Workers"; [S2] US Department of Labor, "COBRA Continuation Coverage (fact sheet)".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: Federal COBRA generally applies to group health plans of private employers and state or local governments with 20 or more employees in the prior year.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: Qualifying events include job loss (other than for gross misconduct) and reduced hours; the employee, spouse and dependent children can elect coverage.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: Coverage after job loss or reduced hours usually lasts up to 18 months, and can extend to 29 or 36 months in some situations.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: The plan may charge up to 102% of the total premium, meaning the employer share plus a 2% administrative fee.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: Some states have their own continuation laws for smaller employers.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02