COBRA Election Deadline After a Layoff
COBRA has separate windows to elect coverage and to make your first payment. Confirm the exact dates in your COBRA notice.
Election window
After coverage ends, you typically have a limited window to elect COBRA. Coverage is usually retroactive to the date your employer plan ended once you elect and pay.
First-payment window
There is generally a separate deadline to make your first premium payment after electing. Missing it can void your election.
What to do
- 1Find your COBRA election notice and read the exact deadlines.
- 2Decide between COBRA and a Marketplace plan before the earliest deadline.
- 3If electing COBRA, mark both the election and first-payment dates.
- 4Keep proof of your election and payment.
Related resources
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