Q.- An employee is retiring at the end of the month. He is on dialysis and is 65 years old. Do we offer COBRA coverage since he is already eligible for Medicare?
A.- COBRA is offered if an active employee covered under the plan terminates employment, irrespective of the employee's age. If he is entitled to Medicare before the COBRA qualifying event (termination of employment), he can elect COBRA coverage along with his Medicare coverage. Depending on how long he has had end-stage renal disease will depend on if COBRA or Medicare would pay primary/secondary.
If he becomes entitled to Medicare after his COBRA qualifying event, the Medicare entitlement will cut off his COBRA coverage.
The employee should be advised to consult his personal legal counsel for information about how Medicare impacts his specific situation.
