Continuing Coverage Under COBRA

If you participate in the Boston University Dental Health Plan, you have the right to elect to continue your coverage if you would otherwise lose it because of a change in your employment status or the termination of your employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct on your part). This right is known as COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985).

If your spouse is a covered dependent under your family coverage with the Boston University Dental Health Plan, he or she has the right to elect to continue coverage if it would otherwise end because of any of the following reasons:

  • Your death
  • The termination of your employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct) or reduction in your work hours
  • Your divorce or legal separation
  • Your entitlement and election to participate in Medicare

Your dependent children who are covered dependents under your family coverage with the Boston University Health Plan have the right to elect to continue their coverage if it would otherwise end because of any of the following reasons:

  • Your death
  • The termination of your employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct) or reduction in your work hours
  • Your divorce or legal separation
  • Your entitlement and election to participate in Medicare
  • Your dependent ceasing to be a dependent child under the Health Plan

If you have a qualifying event (i.e., termination or retirement) and then become entitled and elect Medicare coverage within the continuation period, your spouse (and/or dependent children) is entitled to continue coverage for a total of up to 36 months from the date of the first qualifying event.