Steubenville, Ohio (PressExposure) August 17, 2010 -- Previous employees are still responsible for payment of premiums, and their previous employers are the ones to deliver coverage claims to the insured. Since the leaving employee is the one obliged to pay the remaining and entire cost of the coverage, COBRA health insurance often becomes unaffordable for quite a number of Ohio workers. Individual coverage can be up to $400 per month whereas family coverage may be more than $1000 per month.
COBRA Continuation in Ohio
In Ohio, upon involuntary termination, an employee has the right to continue enjoying coverage under the employer's group health plan by meeting certain requirements. For employers with less than 20 employees, the only coverage available to the employee is Ohio's continuation coverage.
Here are the requirements:
The employee had already been covered for three months prior to termination The employee must be eligible for state unemployment compensation benefits The employee is not eligible for Medicare The employee is not eligible for other group health insurance or COBRA The employee must have requested for continuation coverage on time
Advantages of COBRA
COBRA insurance offers coverage for your spouse and/or children. This insurance is offered at group rates even for individuals-these rates are lower than individual rates. Doctor care and hospital care are included in the coverage; this may also include dental, vision care, prescription drugs, or any other benefits under a group plan. If the employee fails to make a timely premium payment, the coverage ceases since there is no grace period allowed.
Duration of COBRA Insurance in Ohio
You are eligible for continued coverage under COBRA for a period of 6 months. However, Governor Strickland just signed into law a bill that would extend Ohio's state continuation or mini COBRA coverage for health insurance plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after February 25, 2010, for a period of 12 to 15 months, provided the employee is eligible for the federal COBRA subsidy.