Mixed messages about COBRA & getting new insurance

My job (based in NYC) is being eliminated and severance includes COBRA premiums being paid by employer for several months. However, if I signup for any other health insurance, I have to inform the employer within a week and I will lose the COBRA coverage. I would have preferred to keep COBRA since it's free to me, and that way I have it as a backup while I test drive new insurance. (I have an option to signup for new insurance through my spouse that has nothing to do with my employer, but I must signup for that new insurance within the next 2 months, otherwise I lose access to that insurance forever. Because of that deadline, I will have to signup for the new insurance and I would lose the COBRA coverage. I consider the new insurance through my spouse to be too valuable to pass up, even though it's not as good as my employer plan.)

Based on a little Google research, I thought it was possible to have COBRA and other health insurance simultaneously. I asked my HR department about it and was told they don't have any control over that. They said: "The purpose of COBRA coverage is to extend insurance coverage for employees that will lose their insurance due to the loss of their job. It will only provide an extension for the insurance plans the former company provided. If an employee receives insurance elsewhere, they would no longer qualify for an extension under COBRA."

So my QUESTION is: Why do I see online that having COBRA and other health insurance simultaneously is allowed, but my employer says it's not? Is it only allowed under certain circumstances?

My new health insurance won't include dental & vision, so maybe I can keep dental & vision through COBRA at least. Thanks for reading.

submitted by /u/LaLizLa
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