Leaving County Employment

Where do I Start the Separation Process?

Departmental Human Resources Officer (DHRO). They will provide guidance on the County process and enter your separation into PeopleSoft. Once PeopleSoft has been updated with your separation date, your information will be sent to ASI COBRA to initiate your benefit plan continuation options.

What if I am Retiring from the County?

  • Contact SDCERA at (619) 515-6800 to apply for your retirement benefits
  • Report your separation date to your department DHRO.
  • Contact Deferred Compensation/Empower Accounts (619) 531-5840 for 401(a) and 457 distributions.

If you currently have health plans with the County, once PeopleSoft has been updated with your separation/retirement date, your information with be sent to ASI COBRA to initiate your benefit plan continuation options. Review the COBRA website to see current plan and rate information.

What is COBRA?

Employees and dependents may continue all or some of their health benefits at the same level of coverage they had while being covered under the County of San Diego’s active employee group plans.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) offers eligible employees and their dependents, the right to choose to continue their insurance after coverage ends at a rate of 102% of premium cost (full premium cost plus a 2% administrative fee) for up to 18 months (or longer under special circumstances).

Top Things You Need to Know about Your Health Benefits

Your existing coverage will be effective through the last day of the month following your separation from County employment. Generally, COBRA healthcare coverage begins the 1st of the month after your termination date. Coverage may be retroactive based on when you submit your COBRA enrollment paperwork and pay your premiums.

If you seek services on the 1st of the month following termination, explain to your provider that COBRA coverage is pending. In some situations, you may be asked for a partial payment or your provider will delay your payment until your COBRA coverage is active.

  • The COBRA eligibility notice will automatically be sent to your home mailing address. You do not need to do anything to receive the paperwork. No need to request it from Employee Benefits or ASI COBRA.
  • COBRA plan rates are 102% of premium cost (full premium cost plus a 2% administrative fee) and can be found on our Employee Benefits website: COBRA
  • COBRA eligibility and plan offerings are based on your existing coverage and termination date. If you work through the first day of the month, benefits will be covered through the entire month.
    • Example 1: If your last day worked is January 1st, your termination date is January 2nd, health coverage will terminate on January 31st and you are eligible for COBRA on February 1st.
    • Example 2: If your last day worked is January 31st, your termination date is February 1st, health coverage will terminate on January 31st and you are eligible for COBRA on February 1st.

Spending Accounts:

  • Don’t forget to submit any pending claims!
  • If you are enrolled in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and/or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), your account is closed the same day as your termination date. You are able to receive reimbursements for eligible HCFSA and/or HRA expenses incurred up to your last day worked, while the account was open.
  • If you have (or had) a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) at any point during the plan year, you can claim childcare expenses incurred up until the end of the plan year (December 31st), as long as the expenses were incurred when you (and your spouse, if applicable) were working, looking for work, or a full-time student.
  • The deadline to submit current year claims is March 31st of the following year.
  • Register or log into your account at www.asiflex.com/sdcounty

What plans may I continue through COBRA?

You may continue any of the following plans that you are actively enrolled in on your last day of employment:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
  • Health Reimbursement Account

You may choose to continue one, all, or any combination of plans you are offered. You may also continue to cover eligible dependent(s) that were actively enrolled with you on your last day of employment.

Is there any way for me to receive my COBRA enrollment before I leave the County?

The COBRA election notice cannot be generated until your department has entered your termination date into PeopleSoft.

  • After your department updates your status in PeopleSoft, ASI COBRA will receive notice of your termination. The County sends this information to ASI COBRA on a weekly basis.
  • Once ASI COBRA receives your information from the County, your COBRA election notice will be mailed to your address of record.

How and when can I sign up for COBRA?

Submit your COBRA election paperwork to ASI COBRA within 60 days from the date that you lose coverage or the date on the COBRA election notice, whichever is later.

  • You then have 45 days from your election date to pay your first premiums. COBRA will always be retroactive to your eligibility date; there is no lapse in coverage.

Will I have a lapse in coverage?

As long as you complete your election paperwork and pay your premiums on time, your COBRA coverage will be effective on the first of the month following your termination date and there will be no lapse in coverage.

  • When seeking services, you should explain to the healthcare provider that you are in the process of electing COBRA coverage and specify the date the COBRA coverage should begin.
  • The healthcare provider may explain that you are responsible for the full bill if the COBRA coverage does not start; as long as you complete your election paperwork and pay the premium on time, the COBRA coverage will start and your bills will be reprocessed.

Can I continue my Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) through COBRA?

You are eligible to continue your coverage in the HRA for up to 18 months if you enroll in COBRA.

You are eligible to continue your coverage under the HCFSA until the end of the calendar year, if you did not spend the full balance of your account prior to leaving the County.

  • Your account is underspent if your total reimbursement for the year is less than the total contributions, at the time you separate service from the County.

Are there other considerations?

The COBRA premium is up to 102% of the total contribution for the HCFSA and/or the HRA, so you have to decide whether electing COBRA for these coverages is right for you. If you choose not to enroll in COBRA for your HCFSA or HRA, you are only eligible to receive reimbursements for eligible expenses incurred up to your last day worked, while the account was active.

What are my options if I move out of state?

The medical HMO plans are only available in the San Diego region. If you move out of state or out of the service area and you wish to continue COBRA coverage, contact ASI COBRA to change plans.

  • We recommend that you also compare the COBRA plans to insurance carriers, brokers and state exchanges in your new area.

What other insurance options are available?

  • If you are age 65 or more, you may be eligible for Medicare.
  • You may sign up for insurance by purchasing an individual plan directly through an insurance carrier/broker.
  • Because you will be newly uninsured, you may apply for Special Enrollment outside of Open Enrollment through Covered California. To take advantage of the Special Enrollment, you have 60 days before and 60 days after your employer-sponsored coverage ends to apply for and select a Covered California plan 
  • If your spouse is actively employed, you can inquire with his or her employer to determine if you are eligible for their group coverage.

What options do I have once my initial (Federal) COBRA coverage ends?

  • You may sign up for Cal-COBRA through your medical insurance carrier. Cal-COBRA is only available for medical plans.
  • There is no Cal-COBRA option available for dental or vision plans.
  • You may sign up for insurance by purchasing an individual plan directly through an insurance carrier/broker.
  • Because you will be newly uninsured, you may apply for Special Enrollment outside of Open Enrollment through Covered California. To take advantage of the Special Enrollment, you have 60 days after your employer-sponsored coverage ends to apply for and select a Covered California plan.

What about the Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

If you are age 65 or more, you have an 8-month SEP to sign up for Part A and/or Part B that starts at one of these times (whichever happens first):

  • The month after the employment ends.
  • The month after group health plan insurance based on current employment ends.

For more information, visit the Medicare website at Medicare or Social Security’s guide to applying for Medicare. You can also contact the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) for questions related to Medicare at (858) 565-8772.

If you’re retiring after age 65 and need the Medicare CMS-L564 form completed, please complete Section A and email it to Employee Benefits at DHRBenefits.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov for processing.

What happens to my life insurance?

Your life insurance ends on your last day of employment. Barnum Financial Group (a partner of MetLife) will be in contact with you via mail to offer you an opportunity to continue your life insurance that will include the premium rates.

  • You will have 31 days from your last day of employment to enroll. Your policy will convert from a group policy to an individual policy.

Who do I contact for questions about COBRA?

Additional Resources and Contacts

What is RESDC?

  • RESDC offers members dental and vision insurance along with dining and travel discount programs. There are social opportunities and seminars on topics like cybersecurity & navigating Medicare. The RESDC's scholarship program offers graduating high school seniors scholarships each year.
  • Membership dues are $5/month and can be deducted directly from your monthly retirement benefits. Current employees are welcome to join as associate members. For more information, please visit www.RESDC.net.