The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows employees and their dependents to continue their employer-sponsored health + dental insurance and EAP for a limited time if they lose coverage due to certain life events. These may include job loss, reduced work hours, divorce, or other qualifying circumstances.
Under COBRA, you can keep the same health plan you had while employed for up to 18 to 36 months, depending on the situation. However, you will be responsible for the full premium cost—both the portion you paid and the amount your employer previously covered—plus a 2% administrative fee.
While COBRA ensures continuity of care, employees may also explore alternative coverage options, such as marketplace health plans, which could be more affordable.
COBRA Enrollment Process
Employees do not need to notify HR or take any action to initiate COBRA coverage. Within two weeks of your termination date or qualifying life event (QLE) date (such as divorce or an overage dependent), you will automatically receive COBRA enrollment paperwork.
COBRA paperwork will be mailed to the address on file in Workday. Please ensure this address is up to date.
You will then have 60 days from your termination or QLE date to complete and submit the paperwork to elect coverage.
COBRA Coverage: Fees & Important Rules
At Lewis & Clark College, COBRA coverage is administered by COBRA Management Services, LLC (CMS) to ensure a smooth continuation of benefits for eligible individuals. Below is a breakdown of important fees and rules for COBRA members.
COBRA Fees
Monthly Premiums – COBRA participants must pay the full cost of their selected health, dental, and vision coverage, including the portion previously paid by the employer.
2% Administration Fee – Per COBRA regulations, CMS retains a 2% administrative fee in addition to the monthly premium.
Payment Processing – CMS will only remit full premium payments to the insurance carriers. If payment is late or incomplete, coverage may be terminated.
Grace Period – COBRA participants have a 30-day grace period from the first of each month to submit payments.
COBRA Enrollment & Rules
Automatic Paperwork – Employees do not need to notify HR to initiate COBRA. Within two weeks of termination or a qualifying life event (QLE), CMS will send an election notice.
Election Deadline – Employees have 60 days from the termination or QLE date to elect COBRA coverage.
Coverage Activation – Once CMS receives the completed election form and the first premium payment, they will notify the insurance carriers within 10 business days to activate coverage.
Plan Changes – COBRA participants can make changes to their election (such as adding/dropping dependents) by notifying CMS. Changes are processed at the end of each COBRA coverage month.
Termination of Coverage – COBRA coverage ends if payments are late, the coverage period expires, or the participant becomes eligible for other group insurance.
Plan
Coverage Tier
Total Monthly Premium
COBRA Premium (2% Fee)
HMO PLAN
Employee Only
$752.05
$767.09
Employee & Spouse
$1,541.70
$1,572.53
Employee & Child(ren)
$1,428.90
$1,457.48
Family
$2,218.55
$2,262.92
HMO PLUS PLAN
Employee Only
$767.32
$782.67
Employee & Spouse
$1,573.00
$1,604.46
Employee & Child(ren)
$1,457.90
$1,487.06
Family
$2,263.58
$2,308.85
ADDED CHOICE PPO PLAN
Employee Only
$1,127.05
$1,149.59
Employee & Spouse
$2,310.44
$2,356.65
Employee & Child(ren)
$2,141.39
$2,184.22
Family
$3,324.78
$3,391.28
HDHP/HSA PLAN
Employee Only
$587.30
$599.05
Employee & Spouse
$1,203.96
$1,228.04
Employee & Child(ren)
$1,115.86
$1,138.18
Family
$1,732.52
$1,767.17
Plan
Coverage Tier
Total Monthly Premium
COBRA Premium (2% Fee)
KAISER PERMANENTE
Employee Only
$62.21
$63.45
Employee & Spouse
$124.43
$126.92
Employee & Child(ren)
$111.98
$114.22
Family
$186.63
$190.36
DELTA DENTAL
Employee Only
$62.11
$63.35
Employee & Spouse
$142.84
$145.70
Employee & Child(ren)
$118.02
$120.38
Family
$198.74
$202.71
WILLAMETTE DENTAL
Employee Only
$47.40
$48.35
Employee & Spouse
$94.80
$96.70
Employee & Child(ren)
$104.25
$106.34
Family
$146.90
$149.84
Canopy Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & COBRA Coverage
At Lewis & Clark College, we care about your well-being, which is why we offer the Canopy Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This confidential service provides mental health support, counseling, financial and legal consultations, work-life balance resources, and more—all designed to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges.
If you leave the college or experience a qualifying life event, you can continue your Canopy EAP coverage through COBRA. The monthly premium for COBRA participants is $2.37, including the required 2% administrative fee.
COBRA for Medical FSA
COBRA continuation coverage is available for the Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) only. If you leave Lewis & Clark mid-year and have a positive FSA balance (you’ve contributed more than you’ve been reimbursed), you may choose to continue your FSA participation through the end of the current plan year.
If your FSA balance is negative at the time of termination, COBRA is not available.
