Below is information regarding your options should you lose your group health care coverage.
COBRA
If your employer is subject to federal COBRA, you may be eligible to continue your group health plan coverage on a temporary basis. This coverage, however, is only available when coverage is lost due to specific events. For more information, please contact your employer.
Conversion
Conversion is medical coverage for people who are no longer eligible for the group’s medical coverage due to such circumstances as:
- Loss of employment.
- Expiration of COBRA/continuation or
- Loss of eligibility as a dependent.
There can be no lapse in coverage from the termination date of the employer group plan to the effective date of the individual conversion plan. Individual conversion plans do not require medical underwriting. Individual conversion benefits will differ from the group benefits and will vary depending on your state of residence.
There is a limited time to apply for the conversion policy. Members must apply and pay the first premium within 31 days of termination of group coverage. To determine if your plan provides a conversion option and what benefits are available, please contact the traditional medical conversion unit at (866) 901-2922 or the HMO medical conversion unit at (866) 565-1235.
Pennsylvania continuation
Full-time students who are eligible for health insurance coverage under their parents' health plan, who are members of the Guard or Reserve, and who meet the eligibility conditions, are eligible to be covered under their parents’ health insurance coverage for additional time after they become a full-time student in an accredited institution of higher learning. Their coverage will extend for the shorter period equal to the duration of the dependent's service or until they are no longer full-time students. For more information, please call the number that is printed on your ID card.
