The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events.
When you lose job-based insurance, you may be offered COBRA continuation coverage by your former employer.
- If you’re losing job-based coverage and haven’t signed up for COBRA, learn about your rights and options under COBRA from the Virginia Insurance Department.
- If you decide not to take COBRA coverage, you can enroll in a plan through Virginia's Insurance Marketplace instead. Losing job-based coverage qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. This means you have 60 days to enroll in a health plan, even if it’s outside the annual Open Enrollment Period.
See 2024 plans and prices to compare them to your COBRA coverage or offer
If you already have COBRA coverage
If you’re already enrolled in COBRA, you may have options at Virginia's Insurance Marketplace.
| Can you change from COBRA to a plan through Virginia's Insurance Marketplace? | |||
| If your COBRA is running out | If you’re ending COBRA early | If your COBRA costs change because your former employer stops contributing, and you must pay full cost | |
| During Open Enrollment | Yes, you can change. | Yes, you can change. | Yes, you can change. |
| Outside Open Enrollment | Yes, you can change — you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. | No, you can’t change until the next Open Enrollment Period, your COBRA runs out, or you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period another way. | Yes, you can change — you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. |