Resources - FAQs

• There are 6 events that are considered “qualifying”:
• Death of a covered employee
• Termination of an employee (gross misconduct may disqualify the employee)
• Reduction of hours of a covered employee
• Divorce or legal separation of a covered employee from the employee’s spouse
• Covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act
• Dependent child ceasing to be a dependent child of the covered employee under the applicable requirements of a plan

• Someone who is covered under the plan immediately prior to the qualifying event. This includes the covered employee (only if the qualifying event is a termination or reduction in hours) and the spouse or dependent child of the covered employee.

• Your insurance ends on the date stated on your election form. Depending on your employer’s plan design coverage typically ends on the date of termination or the last day of the month in which termination occurred

• Complete the election form included in your COBRA qualifying event package. Please include the date of birth and social security numbers for all covered dependents. Sign and date the form and return it to VantagePoint no later than the deadline specified in your packet. You may elect one or all of the benefits under which you previously had coverage.

• Once COBRA is elected, you have 45 days from the day you elect coverage to make the first payment for any back due premiums. Coverage is not re-instated until these premiums are received. After the initial payment is made full premium is due on the first of each month. You have a 30-day grace period to remit your premium.

• Yes, COBRA begins on the last day you had coverage before terminating employment. All premiums that are past due must be made up or your coverage will be terminated. Once all premiums have been paid in full, the carrier can retroactively cover any claims incurred during that time.

There are three methods of payment for COBRA:

• Check. Payment made payable and remitted to VantagePoint
• EFT Electronic transfer. Facilitated through the VantagePoint Benefit Administrators website.
• Credit Card. There is a 3% surcharge added to your premium obligation. Facilitated through VantagePoint Benefit Administrators and Western Union.

• You will receive a coupon pamphlet from VantagePoint Benefit Administrators. There will be no billing, invoicing or reminders sent to you. It is your responsibility your premiums are paid on time. You may call or email or view the VantagePoint Benefit Administrators website for an update on the status of your account at any time.

• COBRA allows a 30-day grace period. If your premium payment is not received within the 30-day grace period, your coverage will automatically be terminated without advance warning. You will receive a termination letter at that time to notify you of a lapse in coverage due to non-payment of premiums. Once your coverage has lapsed, it cannot be reinstated.

• No, premiums cannot be prorated for a shorter period. You must pay the full premium amount for each month. Partial payments will be accepted, but cannot be reported to the carrier until the full amount has been paid. You will not have coverage until all premiums have been paid in full.