COBRA

COBRA offers employees and their dependents who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue their current insurance at 102% of premium cost (full premium cost plus 2% administrative fee) up to 18 months. See Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Employees currently enrolled in COBRA will receive Open Enrollment materials in the mail, directly from ASI COBRA.

If you retire or leave County employment, your status change will automatically transmit to ASI COBRA on our weekly file feed after your department inputs it in PeopleSoft. You do not need to contact Employee Benefits. ASI COBRA will automatically create your COBRA forms, based on your current health insurance, and mail them directly to you. It can take 2 weeks to receive COBRA forms in the mail after your department enters your status change. Check with your Department Human Resources Officer (DHRO) on the timing.

Your forms from ASI COBRA will include your unique user ID to register on their website and enroll in COBRA, instructions for automatic monthly bank drafts. You must make your first payment to ASI COBRA by the due date listed on your forms to reinstate your coverage.

COBRA Monthly Payments

  • You must enroll in COBRA and make payments yourself if you want coverage.
  • After you enroll in COBRA and submit initial payment, future payments are due the first of the month for that month’s coverage. Example: Payment for July coverage is due July 1 (not July 31).
  • Consider setting up automated payment on ASI COBRA’s website so you do not miss a payment.
  • COBRA Termination due to missed or late payment is permanent.

Dependents

  • Dependents on your health insurance your last day of work may enroll in COBRA without you if you do not need coverage.
  • After you receive your COBRA forms in the mail, call ASI COBRA to discuss enrollment options and rates for your dependents.

Moving?

  • The only available medical and dental plans outside our service area are UMR Medical PPO and Delta Dental PPO. Moving outside our service area may qualify as a life event to allow you to enroll in these plans.
  • Call ASI COBRA after your last day of work to give them your new address and ask for the medical PPO and/or dental PPO information.
  • Research other medical options, including the state exchange, in your new area.
  • VSP’s nationwide network is available to you in any state.

Benefit Plan Information

Contact COBRA Administrator

Reminder: If your department has not input your retirement or status change in PeopleSoft, ASI COBRA will not have your information yet. Ask your department about their timing.

ASI COBRA Website

Cal-COBRA

Once federal COBRA ends (after 18 months), you may be eligible for 18 more months of medical coverage only, via Cal-COBRA. Your medical carrier has your forms and rates. Contact your medical carrier the last month of your federal COBRA coverage:

Kaiser Members call: 800-464-4000 (ask for Cal-COBRA representative in California)

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Members call: 877-797-7475 (ask for Cal-COBRA representative)

  • Cal-COBRA medical coverage through UHC does not include prescription coverage
  • For prescription coverage, you must also call VEBA at 888-276-0250 to sign up

SIMNSA Members call: 800-424-4652 or 619-407-4082 (ask for Cal-COBRA representative)

Cal-COBRA only applies to medical and prescription plans. There is no Cal-COBRA option for dental or vision plans.  Contact your dental or vision carrier for individual options.