Does COBRA coverage come with HRA if the plan was high deductible?
State – Texas
I had to quit my job in December 2024 due to medical reasons. My plan was PPO with high deductible (5k deductible). I used to pay $80 monthly. For this year, minimum deductible that must be met before HRA reimbursements kicks in is $1,650 and HRA limit to offset deductible is $3,150. The HRA is funded by my employer.
I thought COBRA plan would be too expensive and HRA would not be available to offset the $5k deductible. So I went ahead with marketplace plan (Blue Advantage HMO) which is around $520/month with $1500 deductible and $7800 out of pocket.
I recently got a letter from the COBRA provider:
1/1/2015 – 6/30/2026 , the premium would be $538
My questions:
1) Can I take advantage of $3150 HRA to offset the $5000 deductible? When would my plan start? It's already Feb, so it would be March 1st? Do I have to pay premiums for Jan and Feb.
2) When the COBRA plan ends on 6/30/2026 and I don't have a job until then, can I enroll in marketplace plan mid year?
The math for Cigna starting March 1st – 538 * 10 = $5380 in premiums.
For deductible: $5000 – 3150 = $1850 (HRA kicks in after $1650)
OOP Max: $6050 but most of the stuff is 80% coinsurance after deductible.
Total = $7230
BCBS: $520 * 12 = $6240 ($1040 in premiums already paid)
For deductible: $1500 (already met)
OOP Max: $7,800. The only thing going for BCBS is that copay for PCP is $30 and specialist is $60 but for everything else I have to pay 25% co-insurance.
If I switch, assuming March 1st start date, I have to include $1500 deductible from BCBS and $1040 in premium which I already paid.
Now, the Blue Cross HMO plan sucks. Especially for Behavioral health and Cigna PPO is way better. If HRA is included in COBRA plan, Cigna is objectively better insurance for me and I have high medical needs and will most probably hit the $5k deductible. I don't want to cancel BCBS and get caught in the middle with no HRA, hence the post.
submitted by /u/Wise_Guitar2059
[comments]
