Can I Change My COBRA Election After Initial Election But Before 60 Days

I’m transitioning from an Employer plan to COBRA as of January 1st. Been waiting and waiting for the paperwork, which finally arrived yesterday.

My daughter, a college student, has been covered both by my employer plan and by a student health insurance plan through her college (it is ACA compliant). I would prefer to keep her on my COBRA coverage, but it appears she is ineligible, because she has this other group plan. Had I received my COBRA notice earlier, I would have considered cancelling her student plan. In fact, I would not have purchased the college plan, had I known this would be an issue. But the college has closed for the holidays, through January 9.

I was told by a benefit advisor (ok, actually the assistant to the benefit advisor; advisor is out for the holidays) that if I elect coverage for my wife and myself now, that as long as the 60 day COBRA window is still open, I can change the election to include my daughter at a later date. I have since received a conflicting opinion about this. Do I actually have 60 days during which I can make up my mind, then change it, regarding who I include in the COBRA election?

See also  Started at an in-network hospital and was transported to an out of network hospital. Hospital is billing us $42k