You must have heard about COBRA policy. It is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act which was passed in Congress in 1986. COBRA was designed to allow those who lost their jobs to continue coverage for 18-36 months if they would otherwise lose their health insurance coverage due to circumstances which do not depend on the insured. It may be such circumstances as: 1. loss of a job 2.decreased hours 3. death, divorce the spouse who carries the coverage 4. graduates who are no longer supported by the parents' health insurance coverage.

The individual or the employee who wants to continue the health insurance coverage pays the full premium under COBRA. The premium includes the portion previously paid by the employer. With COBRA the amount that the individual would pay for a private policy is less. The employer who carries the policy must be notified within 60 days of the change in circumstances to continue health insurance coverage under COBRA. Change in circumstance may be caused by divorce, employment termination, death, graduation and so forth.

Contact your employer that carries the policy and investigate about COBRA health benefits before losing health insurance coverage. If you feel that you are entitled to COBRA health benefits but it is denied in continuation of health insurance coverage, contact the insurance company and if contacting doesn't solve the problem contact the agency that is responsible for regulation of insurance industry in your state.