How long am I eligible for COBRA?

I was laid off in November 2009, but with federally subsidized COBRA, I was able to continue paying for my family's health insurance. My daughter has since graduated from college and fortunately has found full-time employment that provides her with health benefits. How long am I eligible for the discounted COBRA premium? And if I take my daughter off my plan, will my husband and I still qualify for COBRA? 

You must take her off your plan. She's no longer eligible for your coverage now that she has her own. (Congratulations to her and to you!) You and your husband will still qualify: In New York, COBRA eligibility -- i.e., your right to buy insurance in a former employer's group plan -- now lasts 36 months.

The bad news is that you'll have to pay the full cost. The federal government pays 65 percent of the COBRA premium for people who lost jobs between Sept. 1, 2008, and May 31, 2010 -- but only for 15 months. Better brace yourself for a big increase: The subsidy reduces the average annual cost of COBRA family coverage from about $13,500 a year to about $4,725.

Find out exactly when your subsidy expires. Your COBRA coverage can be canceled if you don't pay the full premium on time. If you've missed the deadline for paying the full premium, ask if the plan will reinstate you; it doesn't have to, but it can. If you can't afford unsubsidized COBRA, you may be eligible for the Healthy NY program. Click here to find details at www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hny.htm. It's not inexpensive, but it may be cheaper than COBRA.

The bottom line. After you lose a job, you qualify for COBRA coverage for up to 36 months. Federal premium subsidies last 15 months.

Two websites with more information. Click here for the New York State Health Department at www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/fhplus/helpful_links.htm