COBRA

HSA Bank COBRA Services - COBRA Administrator
Continuation of Group Health Benefits

Notice of Right to Elect Continuation of Seattle Pacific University Health Plan Coverage

Through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), employees are given the option of continuing participation in a group medical and/or dental plan at their own cost for a maximum period of 18 to 36 months (length of time dependent on the qualifying event) after the qualifying event. Qualifying events are:

1. The death of the covered employee.

2. The termination of the employee.

3. A reduction in the employee's hours, so that the employee or dependent is ineligible for coverage.

4. The divorce or legal separation of the covered employee and his or her spouse.

5. For spouses and eligible dependents, the employee's entitlement under Medicare.

6. A dependent child who marries or reaches the limiting age under the plan, thereby ceasing to be a "dependent" under the terms of the plan.

The employee must report a qualifying event to Seattle Pacific University within 15 days after the date the event occurs.

COBRA is not available to those employees and/or dependents who are covered under another group health plan or eligible to receive Medicare benefits.

You and any family members that have been enrolled on our health plans will be given the opportunity to continue coverage under those plans. This coverage is called “continuation” or “COBRA” coverage. To select COBRA, you will need to pay the entire cost, plus a 2% administration fee.

It is also important to understand that your health plan coverage will be terminated until you elect COBRA and pay your initial premium. In the interim, you may need to pay for any services provided and file a claim once your coverage has been reinstated.

Your COBRA information/election packet

We have retained HSA Bank- COBRA Services to issue our COBRA notices and provide other administrative support, however, they are not an insurance company. You will be receiving a COBRA election packet directly from them. It will contain a detailed explanation of your rights and obligations under COBRA. It will also list the family members and plans available for continuation, as well as the monthly rates (included below for your planning purposes). Each family member has a separate right to enroll in COBRA coverage.

How to enroll in COBRA

If you are interested in continuing your health coverage, sign and return the Election Form within the response deadline stated on it. You can pay your initial premium and return it with the election form or pay it within its 45 day payment deadline. Once you elect COBRA coverage on the Election Form and pay your initial premium within the specified time frames, your coverage will be reinstated retroactively to the first day after your loss of active benefits.

If you do not receive your election packet within two weeks from your last date of active coverage or if you have any questions about your rights and obligations under COBRA, please call or email HSA Bank COBRA Services http://www.hsabank.com, HSA Bank (833) 509-1542.

How much does COBRA Cost?

The costs are effective January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Consider other individual coverage.  There are other options available to you and your dependents in addition to SPU’s COBRA continuation coverage. These could be through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, or other group health plan coverage options (such as a spouse’s plan) by taking advantage of what is called a “special enrollment period.” Some of these options may cost less than COBRA continuation coverage. You can learn more about many of these options at www.healthcare.gov.