Here are some common questions about Open Enrollment.

Yes. This is a mandatory enrollment for flexible benefits. If you do not re-enroll during this open enrollment period your current dental and/or vision benefits will terminate December 31, 2019.

If you do not want your current coverage to continue for 2020, you must send a written cancellation request by December 10, 2019 to:

The Office of Risk and Benefits Management
COBRA Desk
P.O. Box 12241
Miami, Florida 33101

You can contact the COBRA representatives at the Office of Risk and Benefits Management at 305-995-1285 or 305-995-7137 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. You may also visit our office at 1501 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 335.

COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act passed by Congress in 1986. COBRA provides the continuation of group healthcare coverage that has been lost due to certain, specific events.

Employers with 20 or more employees are required to offer COBRA coverage and notify in writing the COBRA Qualified Beneficiaries of their entitlement.

Individuals covered by a group health plan that experience a valid qualifying event leading to loss of healthcare coverage.
Qualifying events include:

• Separation/Termination
• Change in employment status, resulting in the loss of healthcare coverage
• Divorce of a covered member
• Death of a covered member
• Loss of dependent eligibility under plan rules/guidelines

The benefits offered are:

• healthcare
• dental
• vision

These benefits are the same benefits the member had when covered under the group plan.

The cost for the benefits cannot exceed 102 percent of the premium previously being paid by the employer, participant or the combination of both.

Initial premiums must be paid within 45 days after the election is made by the Qualified Beneficiary. The first payment must include the premium for retroactive coverage to the date the coverage was lost until the month the payment is being made. Subsequent payments are due 30 calendar days from the date the initial payment is made. If payment is not received by the due date, coverage will be terminated and cannot be reinstated.

No. You must cover your family with the same medical plan and/or flexible benefits as yourself.

Yes. All 2020 COBRA participants will receive billing coupons, which will serve as confirmation of your benefits. You must keep the gold participant copy of your enrollment form for reference.

You must refer to your billing coupon for due date, amount due and where to mail your payment. If payment is not received by the due date, coverage will be terminated and you will lose your COBRA eligibility. Please note that any previous year premiums for medical, dental and/or vision coverage must be paid in order for your current coverage to become effective.

You need to contact a COBRA specialist at the Office of Risk and Benefits Management at 305- 995-1285 or 305-995-7137 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and request a change in status form.

Yes. You may cancel your coverage and your dependent’s coverage any time during the year. However, if you cancel your dependent’s coverage only, you may re-enroll them during the next open enrollment period. You must send a written cancellation request to the Office of Risk and Benefits Management.

Yes. A dependent who is covered under the plan at the time of the COBRA participant’s death will be eligible to continue their coverage for the duration of the period of initial eligibility.