The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows employees and their dependents to continue their employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance for a limited time if they lose coverage due to certain life events. These may include job loss, reduced work hours, divorce, or other qualifying circumstances.
Under COBRA, you can keep the same health plan you had while employed for up to 18 to 36 months, depending on the situation. However, you will be responsible for the full premium cost, which includes both the portion you paid and the amount your employer previously covered plus a 2% administrative fee.
While COBRA ensures continuity of care, employees can also explore alternative coverage options, such as marketplace health plans, which could be more affordable.
Marketplace by WEX
Looking for a lower-cost option? Marketplace by WEX lets you compare plans outside of COBRA, including those on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Many employees find more affordable coverage, especially if they qualify for income-based subsidies. It’s a quick way to explore your options and potentially save on monthly premiums. Once you receive COBRA paperwork from WEX, you can log in to your online portal to explore the Marketplace.
COBRA Information
At Lewis & Clark College, COBRA coverage is administered by WEX to ensure a smooth continuation of benefits for eligible individuals. Below is a breakdown of important fees and rules for COBRA members.
COBRA Fees
Monthly Premiums – COBRA participants must pay the full cost of their selected health, dental, and vision coverage, including the portion previously paid by the employer.
2% Administration Fee – Per COBRA regulations, WEX retains a 2% administrative fee in addition to the monthly premium.
Payment Processing – WEX will only remit full premium payments to the insurance carriers. If payment is late or incomplete, coverage may be terminated.
Grace Period – COBRA participants have a 30-day grace period from the first of each month to submit payments.
COBRA Enrollment & Rules
Automatic Paperwork – Employees do not need to notify HR to initiate COBRA. Within two weeks of termination or a qualifying life event (QLE), CMS will send an election notice.
Election Deadline – Employees have 60 days from the termination or QLE date to elect COBRA coverage.
Coverage Activation – Once WEX receives the completed election form and the first premium payment, they will notify the insurance carriers within 10 business days to activate coverage.
Plan Changes – COBRA participants can make changes to their election (such as adding/dropping dependents) by notifying WEX. Changes are processed at the end of each COBRA coverage month.
Termination of Coverage – COBRA coverage ends if payments are late, the coverage period expires, or the participant becomes eligible for other group insurance.
COBRA for Medical FSA
COBRA continuation coverage is available for the Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) only. If you leave Lewis & Clark mid-year and have a positive FSA balance (you’ve contributed more than you’ve been reimbursed), you may choose to continue your FSA participation through the end of the current plan year.
If your FSA balance is negative at the time of termination, COBRA is not available.
Plan
Tier
Total Premium
COBRA (102%)
PPO Plan (FPC/WOOP)
Employee Only
$793.24
$809.10
Employee + Spouse/DP
$1,417.62
$1,445.97
Employee + Child(ren)
$1,289.63
$1,315.42
Employee + Family
$2,056.45
$2,097.58
Kaiser HMO (with HRA)
Employee Only
$755.60
$770.71
Employee + Spouse/DP
$1,499.06
$1,529.04
Employee + Child(ren)
$1,403.83
$1,431.91
Employee + Family
$2,070.43
$2,111.84
Kaiser HDHP (with HSA)
Employee Only
$673.62
$687.09
Employee + Spouse/DP
$1,354.66
$1,381.75
Employee + Child(ren)
$1,257.37
$1,282.52
Employee + Family
$1,938.42
$1,977.19
Plan
Tier
Total Premium
COBRA (102%)
Kaiser Dental
Employee Only
$64.48
$65.77
Employee + Spouse/DP
$128.97
$131.55
Employee + Child(ren)
$116.07
$118.39
Employee + Family
$193.44
$197.31
Willamette Dental
Employee Only
$50.65
$51.66
Employee + Spouse/DP
$101.35
$103.38
Employee + Child(ren)
$111.45
$113.68
Employee + Family
$157.05
$160.19
Delta Dental
Employee Only
$64.07
$65.35
Employee + Spouse/DP
$147.34
$150.29
Employee + Child(ren)
$121.74
$124.17
Employee + Family
$205.00
$209.10
Plan
Tier
Total Premium
COBRA (102%)
VSP Vision
Employee Only
$7.13
$7.27
Employee + Spouse/DP
$14.26
$14.55
Employee + Child(ren)
$15.26
$15.57
Employee + Family
$24.38
$24.87
Employees do not need to notify HR or take any action to initiate COBRA coverage. Within 44 days of your termination date or qualifying life event (QLE) date (such as divorce or an overage dependent), you will automatically receive COBRA enrollment paperwork.
COBRA paperwork will be mailed to the address on file in Workday. Please ensure this address is up to date.
You will then have 60 days from your termination or QLE date to complete and submit the paperwork to elect coverage.
