Posted on: Friday, December 28, 2001
State to repay jobless healthcare premiums
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i residents whose jobs were affected by the Sept. 11 attacks may soon submit applications to receive reimbursements for extended health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, also known as COBRA.
The Department of Human Services will accept applications for the COBRA Premium Reimbursement Program beginning Jan. 2. COBRA premiums paid for the period beginning Sept. 12, 2001 will be considered for reimbursement.
The program, a result of the October legislative emergency special session, will provide reimbursements of monthly premiums of up to $125 for a single person and $315 for a family. Those eligible may collect up to three months of coverage.
To be eligible for the program, the individual must:
• Have lost employer-sponsored health insurance coverage as a result of a furlough, layoff, reduced work hours, or termination from employment on or after Sept. 11.
• Have subsequently elected and paid for the COBRA extended coverage.
• Not be eligible for any other employment related group health coverage reimbursement or subsidy aimed at helping continue the individual's or the individual's family's group health insurance coverage.
• Have documentation of payment of COBRA premiums the individual seeks reimbursement for.
• Have countable family assets not exceeding $10,000. Assets are not to include primary family residence, two motor vehicles required for employment or personal family use, furniture, items required for daily living, household goods, and one burial space for each family member.
• Have been a Hawai'i resident at the time of the furlough, layoff, work hour reduction or job termination.
• Be a Hawai'i resident during the months for which reimbursement is sought under the program.
To get a COBRA Premium Reimbursement application form and brochure, contact the Med-QUEST Division Finance Office at: 692-7980 or 692-7982 for Oahu residents; and (800) 574-0911 for Neighbor Island residents.
Application forms are also available at the Med-QUEST Eligibility Branch offices and the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Unemployment Insurance Division claims offices.
The application and documentation of COBRA payment may be submitted in person or by mail to: Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division/Finance Office, 1001 Kamokila Blvd. Suite 317, Kapolei, HI 96707.
