COBRA Continuation Coverage Eligibility
As an employee, you have the right to purchase Continuation Dental and Vision Coverage (COBRA) from the Dental and Vision Fund, when coverage would otherwise terminate due to a “qualifying event” (see Eligibility, Notification, Coverage Length section below on this page):
- Your retirement, resignation, termination (other than gross misconduct); or
- Your hours are reduced to less than the minimum required for eligibility.
Your dependents (spouse and/or children) have the right to purchase Continuation Coverage if:
- Your employment terminates other than due to gross misconduct (for example, you quit, are laid off or retire); or
- Your hours are reduced to less than the minimum required for eligibility; or
- You die while participating in the Plan; or
- You or your ex-spouse remarries within 36 months of your divorce; providing the ex-spouse was eligible on the date of remarriage; or
- Your dependent child ceases to qualify as dependent child defined under the Fund.
You, your spouse or your dependent children must notify the Fund in the event of a divorce, remarriage or change in dependent status. The Fund must receive this notification within 60 days of the date on which coverage would terminate as a result of the qualifying event.
Once the Dental and Vision Fund Office receives notice of your retirement from your Benefits Office, Retirement Board or MTRS the Fund Office will send a notice along with an election form that you are eligible to elect COBRA Continuation Coverage at a monthly premium.
- Retirees can continue their dental and vision coverage with the Cambridge Dental and Vision Fund for potentially 18 months (may extend past 18 months until Annual Retirees Buy-In Coverage eligibility) if they elect COBRA Retiree Continuation Coverage and pay the required monthly premiums.
- When COBRA Retiree Continuation Coverage ends, retirees will then be eligible to continue under the Fund’s Annual Retiree Buy-In Coverage that opens each January 1st, at an annual premium rate (Retirees will no longer be eligible to pay at a monthly premium rate).
- Retirees that choose to enroll under COBRA Retiree Continuation Coverage will receive both dental and vision benefits. COBRA is an actual continuation of the same benefits available to you as an active member.
Click for more information: Retiree COBRA Continuation Coverage
Some qualifying events can make you or your dependent eligible for COBRA. These qualifying events may be the same as a special enrollment period qualifying event that lets you change your coverage status.
See the specific qualifying events that lead to COBRA eligibility, and the notification requirements and coverage length for each event, in the table below.
| Qualifying Events that make you/your dependents eligible for COBRA | When to notify the Fund Office | Who is eligible | Length of COBRA coverage |
| You terminate employment (you quit, are laid off or retire) or your hours are reduced | Within 30 days | You and your dependents | 18 months |
| You die | Within 30 days | Your dependents | 36 months |
| You and your spouse divorce or legally separate | Within 60 days | You and your dependents | 36 months |
| Your dependent child no longer meets the eligibility requirements (e.g., turns age 26) | Within 60 days | Your dependent children only | 36 months |
Learn how to enroll in COBRA if you or your dependent is eligible.
