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Understanding Medicare Coordinating Medicare with Other Insurance COBRA and Medicare COBRA eligibility

COBRA And Medicare

COBRA eligibility

Go to this chart to learn if you are eligible for COBRA and for how long.

Last Updated: February 12, 2025

You are eligible for COBRA if both of the following conditions apply:

  1. You are enrolled in job-based insurance ( Employer Group Health Plan See Group Health Plan. ) where COBRA applies
  2. And, you have a “qualifying event” (such as termination of employment) that causes you to lose job-based insurance. The type of qualifying event also determines the length of COBRA coverage: See table below for details.

 

Qualifying Event Length of COBRA

Employee retires, is terminated, or has a reduction in work hours.

18 months

Employee develops a Disability A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities and interact with the world around them. The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines disability—and eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI)—based on whether you can work and whether your disability is likely to be permanent. (Definition from the World Health Organization) and has a reduction in work hours.

18 months

Employee develops a disability and is eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a monthly benefit provided through the Social Security Administration for people who are unable to work because of a severe medical impairment (disability). People who receive SSDI for 24 months are eligible for Medicare. during the initial 18-month COBRA period.

18 months + 11 months extra

Employee is terminated for gross misconduct.

Not applicable

Employee’s spouse and dependent children lose job-based insurance because:

  • Employee becomes eligible for Medicare Medicare is the federal government health insurance program that provides health care coverage if you are 65 or older, are under 65 and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, begin receiving SSDI due to ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) no matter your age. You can receive health coverage directly through the federal government (see Original Medicare) or through a private company (see Medicare Advantage).
  • Employee and spouse are divorced
  • Dependent child loses dependent child status
  • Employee dies

36 months

If you already have Medicare, you are still eligible for COBRA if you meet the conditions above. Be sure to know how COBRA and Medicare coordinate before making Enrollment Enrollment is joining Original Medicare or becoming a member of a Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D plan.  decisions.

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