Notices & qualifying events
Tracking qualifying events, eligibility changes and required notices helps keep the continuation process organized.
TEB&HR · Benefits resourcesCOBRA
COBRA
Administration
TEB combines administration, technology and personal support to help employers manage COBRA and guide participants through their next steps.
For employers and HR teams
COBRA support from TEB.
TEB supports the administrative work behind continuation coverage, from notices and participant questions to premium administration and reporting.
Participant communication
Clear, bilingual election communications explain options and deadlines, with support for questions during the election process.
Premium administration
Participant premium collection, carrier remittance and payment records support ongoing administration.
Integration & reporting
Coordination with your benefits platform and reporting on elections, payments and participation give HR teams a clearer view.
Ask TEB about the services available under your organization’s administration arrangement. Participants should follow the administrator and payment instructions in their own election notice.
The basics
What to know first.
COBRA can let eligible employees and family members temporarily continue employer group health coverage after certain events that cause coverage to end.
A temporary continuation
COBRA continues eligible group health coverage; it is not a separate insurance policy. Your election notice explains the coverage offered.
A change that affects coverage
Job loss, reduced hours, divorce and certain other events can create continuation rights. The event must meet the applicable requirements.
Review the full premium
Participants often pay the full plan premium, including the part previously paid by the employer, plus an allowed administrative charge. Use your notice for the actual amount.
Put it into practice
Three useful next steps.
- Gather your notice. Look for the election instructions, coverage dates, premium and payment destination.
- Mark each deadline separately. The election deadline and the first payment deadline are different. Keep a copy of your submission and payment confirmation.
- Compare available coverage. Consider COBRA alongside any available spouse’s plan, new employer plan or Marketplace option. Compare costs, providers and enrollment timing.
For county, municipal and other state or local government plans, CMS provides public-sector COBRA guidance. Use the administrator identified in your notice for your own election and payments.
Common questions
Answers to help you move forward.
Does everyone who leaves a job qualify?
No. Eligibility depends on the employer’s plan, the qualifying event and the person’s coverage before that event. Ask your plan administrator to confirm your situation.
How do I elect coverage?
Follow the election method in your notice. Federal COBRA generally provides at least a 60-day election period, but use the specific deadline in your notice and contact the administrator promptly if anything is unclear.
Can my spouse or children elect coverage separately?
Qualified beneficiaries can have independent election rights. Check which family members are listed in the notice and ask the administrator how each person can make an election.
How much is my payment, and where do I send it?
Your election notice supplies the premium, due dates and payment instructions. Your previous payroll deduction may not be the COBRA premium. Do not send a premium to TEB’s general email address.
Is COBRA my only option?
No. Losing job-based coverage may also create enrollment opportunities for other coverage. Compare options before choosing; voluntarily ending COBRA later does not always create a new Marketplace enrollment opportunity.
I have not received a notice. What should I do?
Contact your former employer or plan administrator promptly to check your coverage end date and notice status. If you need help finding the right contact, email TEB with your employer’s name and a general description of the issue.
How can TEB help an employer or HR team?
TEB’s COBRA administration services include notice coordination, participant communication, premium administration and reporting. Contact TEB to discuss your organization’s needs and service arrangement.
Who can help me understand my election or payment instructions?
Start with the administrator listed on your COBRA election notice. If TEB administers your coverage, our team can help explain the process and direct your question. Use the payment destination in your notice rather than sending payment information by email.
Read further
Official guidance and resources.
U.S. Department of Labor ↗COBRA overview and continuation coverage resources. Opens an official resource in a new tab.CMS: public-sector COBRA questions ↗Guidance for state and local government health plans. Opens an official resource in a new tab.HealthCare.gov: COBRA and other options ↗Compare continuation coverage with Marketplace options. Opens an official resource in a new tab.
Content reviewed October 23, 2026. This page provides general education; your plan documents and official notices determine your specific options.
Let’s find your next step.
Tell TEB which benefit you are asking about and the name of your employer. We can help direct your question to the appropriate resource.