A California employee works for a small employer with 15 employees and loses coverage due to termination of employment. Federal COBRA does NOT apply because the employer has fewer than 20 employees. What is the employee's CONTINUATION right under California law?
Explanation
California's 'mini-COBRA' (Cal-COBRA) statutes — California Insurance Code §1366.20 et seq. for insurers and Health & Safety Code §1373.621 for HMOs — fill the gap for small employers (2-19 employees) that are NOT subject to federal COBRA. Cal-COBRA generally provides up to 36 months of continuation coverage following a qualifying event (longer than the federal COBRA 18-month period for termination/reduction in hours). For employees who exhaust federal COBRA at a larger employer, Cal-COBRA may also provide an additional period bringing the total to 36 months. Option A is wrong; California fills the COBRA gap. Option B is wrong; federal COBRA applies only to employers with 20+ employees. Option D fabricates an automatic Medi-Cal trigger that does not exist.
Law Reference: California Insurance Code §1366.20 et seq.; CIC §1373.621 (Cal-COBRA / mini-COBRA)Practice all 315 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- Under the required Grace Period provision in a California individual accident & health policy paid on a quarterly mode, the grace period is:
- Under federal COBRA, the maximum continuation period for a covered employee who becomes entitled to Medicare and the family then loses coverage is:
- Under HIPAA Title I as ORIGINALLY enacted, a 'pre-existing condition' for group-health-plan purposes was defined as a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received during the:
- Which statement BEST describes a 'Section 125 cafeteria plan'?
- A California health insurer denies a claim for a covered service. Which statement BEST describes the insured's CLAIM-APPEAL rights?
- When a California health insurer fails to pay or contest a properly submitted CLEAN claim within the statutory deadline (generally 30 working days for paper / 30 calendar days for electronic), what is the principal financial consequence to the insurer?
Last reviewed: · editorial process