What are COBRA health benefits?

Types of AnemiaQ:  What are COBRA health benefits?

A:  Cobra stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).  It is a law that Congress passed in 1986 that guarantees the availability of group health insurance during a time period in which benefits may normally have been unavailable.  Such situations include leaving an employer, getting a divorce in which the health benefits were held by the spouse, retirees and dependent children.  The individual must pay for the health benefits on a monthly basis but the cost is substantially less than finding privately paid health insurance.  The typical time frame of availability is 18-24 months.  For more information visit the US Department of Labor website at www.dol.gov and search for COBRA.