The 2009 American Recovery And Reinvestment Act (ARRA) COBRA provision granted a  nine-month, 65% premium subsidy for individuals unemployed  between September 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009.  The subsidy is reimbursed to the employer via a tax credit and eligible individuals pay 35% of their COBRA premiums–enabling those who can pay, an option to continue their health coverage.

Today’s story in the Washington Post Still Awaiting  An Insurance Bailout highlights the confusion on how the program works, who pays what , and that many are still desperately waiting for their COBRA assistance.

To find out more about the COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Act, see the Department of Labor fact sheets here.  

For helpful tips on how to navigate health coverage during unemployment, see Hard Times & Health Insurance: Staying Covered When You Lose Your Job–A Guide for New Yorkers,  co-authored by Peter Newell and HCFANY member, Mark Scherzer, Esq.