Under COBRA, how many days does a beneficiary have to apply for an 11-month extension due to a disability?

Under COBRA, a beneficiary has 60 days to apply for an 11-month extension due to a disability. This provision is set forth to provide additional coverage for individuals who are deemed disabled according to the Social Security Administration’s standards. The 60-day application period begins from the date of the qualifying event or from the date the beneficiary is informed of their disability status by the Social Security Administration, whichever is later.

This timeframe is crucial because it allows beneficiaries additional time to make necessary arrangements for their extended health coverage without the immediate pressure of needing to enroll immediately. Once the application is successfully submitted, the disabled individual and their affected family members are allowed to extend their COBRA coverage from 18 months to a total of 29 months. This extended coverage ensures that those coping with disability have access to necessary healthcare during a time when they might have increased medical needs.