We are not COBRA. For specific contract details about your current company policy, contact your health plan administrator.
Not really COBRA because less than 50 employees
Hi,
I was laid off from my job about two weeks ago, 8/24/05...I got a short
letter saying that I had to start paying for COBRA right away. No notice of
my rights, or when the check was due each month, or how long it would last,
or how long I had to sign up. Just a hasty letter telling me how much I had
to pay them each month plus an administration fee. The letter had the wrong
dates on it, it referenced July, so I called and aked for a new letter and
asked that it include more specifics about my rights. I got an even shorter
letter saying that COBRA would start in September and that I had to pay
right away or they were going to cancel my coverage. No specifics.
I finally called HR and asked my questions...I was told that the letter was
wrong, it wasn't actually a COBRA plan, it was some sort of small business
coverage plan, and I had to pay by the end of the month before or I would be
cancelled. She told me that they did not have to offer COBRA because they
had less than 50 employees, and that this plan would only last 12 months.
This does not make sense to me....this is an incorporated company which has
more than 20 employees, we have Aetna Group Health Insurance, and when I
asked about COBRA repeatedly the day I got hired I was told that they
provided it.
I don't know if they are lying to me about not having to offer COBRA or if
they just don't know any better...I don't want to confront them and lose
my coverage, but I want to know how I can find out if they are supposed to
offer it or if there really is some clause about having less than 50
employees. A year goes quickly, and if I am entitled to 18 months, I want to
know. Any advice? Thank you, Tracy