Q.- I know the government changed the rules for when COBRA elections and payments need to be made. Do these new rules extend the maximum length of the COBRA period?

A.- No. The 18/29/36 month COBRA period has not been extended. The new changes relate to the timeframes for paying for coverage, electing coverage, and sending COBRA notices. The maximum duration of COBRA remains at 18 months, 29 months for a disability extension, and 36 months for dependents and certain second qualifying events.