COBRA

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING COBRA COVERAGE

1. Who is EBS/Atlanta?

EBS/Atlanta has been contracted by your former employer to administer COBRA in compliance with federal law. As the COBRA administrator, we are responsible for processing your enrollment in COBRA, collecting premium payments, reporting your eligibility to insurance carriers, and notifying you of any changes in your insurance benefits. Additionally, we are responsible for notifying you when your eligibility under COBRA expires or when your coverage terminates for nonpayment.

2. How do I enroll in COBRA?

Generally, within 15 days from your date of termination or other qualifying event, you will receive a COBRA Notification Package from EBS/Atlanta mailed to the last home address on file with your former employer. The COBRA Notification Package will contain a Notification Letter describing your COBRA rights, Certificate of Coverage, and your COBRA Election Form. In accordance with Federal Regulations, you must return your COBRA Election Form to EBS/Atlanta no later than 60 days from the date printed on your Notification Letter. If your COBRA Election Form is not postmarked within the 60-day election period, your insurance coverage will remain terminated and may not be reinstated.

3. How do I pay my COBRA premiums?

When you elect COBRA, payment coupons will be sent to you. Your coupons will show the amount due, the due date, the date your COBRA coverage began, and the date your COBRA coverage is scheduled to end. We will send coupons to you for use through the end of the current year. If your COBRA coverage extends beyond the current year, we will automatically send new coupons to you.

You should mail your premiums to:
EBS/Atlanta
COBRA Service Team
2500 Northwinds Parkway
Suite 400
Alpharetta, GA 30004

You may also elect to use our DirectPay option. Under DirectPay, EBS/Atlanta will automatically debit your checking or savings account monthly for the premium due.

Upon receipt, we will post your premiums payment to your COBRA account, update your eligibility for coverage, and notify your insurance company.

4. When are my premiums due?

Premiums are due, in full, by the first day of each month, but no later than the end of the 30-day grace period. EBS/Atlanta provides payment coupons as a convenience to you. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to remit the full monthly premium, even if you have not received payment coupons or have lost your payment coupons. The postmark date will determine whether your payment was mailed within the grace period. If your payment is not postmarked within the 30-day grace period, coverage will be terminated and may not be reinstated.

5. Can my insurance coverage or COBRA premiums ever change?

Yes. Your COBRA coverage is identical to the coverage your employer offers to its active employees. As such, your employer reserves the right to make changes to, or terminate, any of its insurance plans. Premiums are determined by your employer and/or the insurance company and not by EBS/Atlanta. Should your employer make any changes to its insurance plans or should there be a change in the premium amount, your employer will notify EBS/Atlanta and we will notify you. We will also mail new payment coupons to you showing the revised premium amount.

6. If I miss a premium payment, can I make it up on the following month?

No. Premiums are due in full on the first of each month. If you fail to remit a premium payment, your COBRA coverage will terminate and may not be reinstated.

7. How can I prevent termination of my coverage?

• Pay your premium in full by the first day of the month
• Be sure to include the payment coupon with your check or money order
• Make certain your check is completed correctly and signed
• Send your payment to the address printed on your coupon

8. When will my COBRA coverage end?

Your COBRA coverage will terminate on the last day in which you are entitled to COBRA coverage or the last day of the month for which you made a timely payment, whichever occurs first.

9. If my COBRA coverage is terminated, can it be reinstated at a later date?

COBRA coverage cannot be extended beyond the period you are entitled nor can we reinstate your coverage due to nonpayment.

10. If I have a question concerning a claim, ID cards, provider listing, etc., who should I call?

It is important to remember that EBS/Atlanta is the COBRA administrator and not your insurance company. You must call your insurance carrier with any questions concerning your insurance coverage, claims, ID cards, providers, or covered services.

11. How do I contact EBS/Atlanta if I have questions concerning COBRA?

You may contact a member of the COBRA Service Team by calling, toll-free, 1-800-647-3709 (if calling from within metropolitan Atlanta, please call 770-569-0080) between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. You may also contact us by e-mail at cobra@ebsatlanta.com.

12. Can I have someone else make my payments for me?

Yes, EBS/Atlanta can accept payments from a third party, such as a new employer, or through a check writing service. However, it is still your responsibility to make sure the checks are received within the applicable grace period.

13. Before I elected COBRA, I had some medical expenses that my insurance carrier denied. Do I send them to EBS/Atlanta?

No, re-submit the expenses to your insurance carrier or have your medical provider re-file for reimbursement from your insurance carrier. When you elect COBRA, your coverage is reinstated back to the date you lost coverage.

14. Can I change my mind and drop some coverage after I elect COBRA?

During your 60-day election period you are offered the same plans you had as an active employee. You can always elect less but never more. For example, if you had family coverage as an active employee, you can, under COBRA, only elect single coverage. However, once you elect single coverage, you cannot increase coverage unless there are special circumstances, like your employer offering an open enrollment period for active employees.

15. My 18-months of COBRA are just about over; does EBS/Atlanta offer a continuation or another policy I can enroll in?

No, EBS/Atlanta is not an insurance company; we are your COBRA Administrator. We do not endorse or recommend any insurance companies, however, we do urge you to contact your current insurance carrier to find out if they offer a conversion policy or an individual policy.