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How COBRA Insurance Works In Iowa

Iowa recognizes both the federal COBRA law and its own state-sponsored alternative, known as Mini-COBRA. The federal COBRA law requires employers with 20 or more employees to offer continuation of health coverage to eligible employees and their dependents who would otherwise lose their group health coverage due to a qualifying event, such as termination of employment or reduction of work hours.

Meanwhile, Mini-COBRA offers the same basic coverage options as the group health plan, but at a higher cost to the individual and is designed for individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements for federal COBRA.

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COBRA Eligibility

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COBRA Alternative:
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*Based on age and state availability

Continuing Health Insurance Coverage In Iowa

Please choose:

No Pre-Existing Conditions
Term Medical Gap Coverage

Available in some states, as low as $44/month

Coverage For
Pre-Existing Conditions

$400 – 700/month per individual

Medicare
Nearing Retirement Age

Learn about Medicare Advantage

Iowa’s Mini-COBRA Law

Iowa’s Mini-COBRA law is a state-sponsored insurance program that provides continuation of health coverage to eligible individuals in the state of Iowa. This program is designed for individuals who have lost their group health coverage due to a qualifying event, such as termination of employment or reduction of work hours, but do not meet the eligibility requirements for federal COBRA. Mini-COBRA was enacted as a state statute in 1987, providing an alternative to the federal COBRA law for individuals in need of health coverage.

Mini-COBRA is available to individuals who are no longer covered under a group health plan due to a qualifying event and whose former employer has 2 to 19 employees. The program offers the same basic coverage options as the group health plan, but at a higher cost to the individual. The program helps bridge the gap between group health coverage and the next available coverage opportunity, ensuring that individuals have access to necessary health care services. Through Mini-COBRA, individuals can continue their health coverage for up to 18 months, giving them peace of mind while they search for a new job or explore other coverage options.

Source: Iowa law, 509B.3 Continuation of benefits

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Health Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions In Iowa

Maintaining your workplace insurance coverage is a wise choice if you frequently see a doctor or use prescription drugs. This way, there will be no interruption to your current health plan and your deductibles will not reset, as the plan will simply continue from its previous state.

Apply For COBRA In Iowa

Employer Has 20+ Employees

You may continue your most recent work health insurance for up to 18 months as an employee. Family members may access the plan for up to 36 months.

You sign up for COBRA with your former employer or their third party. The premium will be $400 – 700 / month, per insured person.

Marketplace / Obamacare

A loss of work health insurance is a qualifying event to find new healthcare through the public healthcare exchange.

The average major medical plan premium in Iowa was $451/month in 2021, according to howmuch.net.

View Affordable Care Act Plans

Accident-Only Insurance To Cover An Insurance GAP in Iowa

The state of Iowa allows you to bridge your insurance gap by obtaining an accident-only major medical insurance plan.

Accident Only Insurance with Telehealth

Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.

Pre-existing Conditions Do Not Exclude You From Accident Only Coverage

Plans start at $44/month.
Based on age and state availability

Accidents happen, and the last thing you want to worry about is who or how the bills are going to get paid. With this plan, you can focus on getting care. CAM helps you and your family with the high cost of healthcare resulting from injury or accidents.

Includes Telehealth – Access to prescribing  doctors for common issues

Limited Indemnity with Telehealth

Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.

Core Health Insurance provides guaranteed acceptance Limited Indemnity Medical coverage for your basic medical needs, helping to provide a medical option for people who do not have the luxury of being covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan.

Coverage begins as early as midnight tonight.

Medicare

After your workplace insurance ends, you’ll sign up for Medicare within 8 months.

In general, you can sign up for Part A and Part B starting three months before your 65th birthday and ending three months after your 65th birthday.

Learn more about Medicare deadlines and how Medicare Advantage plans can replace original Medicare at no cost to you.

COBRA Is Available In All 50 States

Employee continuation of health insurance coverage is not required in all states. When a state lacks laws governing the continuation of work-related medical benefits, the federal COBRA Act protects these rights. Find out more about your state.

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