COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)

COBRA Continuation Coverage

You and/or your eligible dependents also have the right under Federal Law to continue group health coverage under this Plan (called “COBRA continuation coverage”) for up to 18 months if you terminate your employment for any reason other than gross misconduct, or if you lose eligibility due to a reduction in hours. If you or your eligible dependent is determined by Social Security to be totally disabled at the time of the initial 18-month qualifying event, the disabled individual may keep COBRA coverage for up to 29 months, as long as proof of a Social Security disability award is furnished to the Medical Plan Office within sixty (60) days of the determination. The affected individual must also notify the Medical Plan Office within thirty (30) days of any final determination that the individual is no longer disabled.

COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009)

Eligible individuals pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums and the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit. The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to nine months for those eligible for COBRA during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending February 28, 2010 due to an involuntary termination of employment that occurred during that period. Please contact Carpenters Combined Funds on whether you may qualify for discounted COBRA rates.


Monthly COBRA Rates:

Type Rate/mo
Effective Date
Active $851 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
Early Retiree
           - Retiree Only
 $966 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
Early Retiree
           - Other than Retiree		 $1894 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
Disabled / Senior Retiree on Freedom Blue
           - Retiree Only		 $220 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
Disabled / Senior Retiree on Freedom Blue
           - Other than Retiree		 $441 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
Disabled / Senior Retiree on Medigap Plan C
           - Retiree Only
 $239 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
Disabled / Senior Retiree on Medigap Plan C
           - Other than Retiree
 $439 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010