FlexToday, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  Did you find this page by a web search?    If your COBRA offer letter does not show FlexToday, Inc. in the return address, this is not the right website for you.   Unless we have directly contacted you with information about your Employer's group health plan and your COBRA benefits, please do not use this website and do not send us your medically- or personally-private information and/or banking or credit card information.  THANK YOU! 

You may be able to get coverage through the Marketplace that costs less than COBRA coverage.

For information, please contact the Marketplace at www.HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. 

THE HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE


You may be eligible to purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace), you could be eligible for a new tax credit that lowers your monthly premiums, and you can see what your premium, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs will be before you make a decision to enroll. Being eligible for COBRA does not limit your eligibility for coverage for a tax credit through the Marketplace. The Marketplace offers "one-stop shopping" to find and compare private health insurance options. In the Marketplace, you could be eligible for a new kind of tax credit that lowers your monthly premiums and cost-sharing reductions (amounts that lower your out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) right away, and you can see what your premium, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs will be before you make a decision to enroll. Through the Marketplace you’ll also learn if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace may cost less than COBRA continuation coverage. Being offered COBRA continuation coverage won’t limit your eligibility for coverage or for a tax credit through the Marketplace.


When can I enroll in Marketplace coverage? You always have 60 days from the time you lose your job-based coverage to enroll in the Marketplace. That is because losing your job-based health coverage is a "special enrollment" event. After 60 days your special enrollment period will end and you may not be able to enroll, so you should take action right away. In addition, during what is called an "open enrollment" period, anyone can enroll in Marketplace coverage.

If I sign up for COBRA continuation coverage, can I switch to coverage in the Marketplace? If you sign up for COBRA continuation coverage, you can switch to a Marketplace plan during an open enrollment period. You can also end your COBRA continuation coverage early and switch to a Marketplace plan if you have another qualifying event such as marriage or birth of a child through something called a "special enrollment period." Once you’ve exhausted your COBRA continuation coverage and the coverage expires, you’ll be eligible to enroll in Marketplace coverage through a special enrollment period, even if Marketplace open enrollment has ended. Being terminated from COBRA for not paying your premiums does not qualify you for special enrollment in the Marketplace. If you terminate your COBRA coverage early without another qualifying event, you’ll have to wait until the next Marketplace open enrollment to enroll. You could end up without any health coverage in the interim.

What about if I choose Marketplace coverage and want to switch back to COBRA continuation coverage? If you sign up for Marketplace coverage instead of COBRA continuation coverage, you cannot switch to COBRA continuation.

Factors you should consider when choosing coverage options:

  • Premiums Your previous plan can charge up to 102% of total plan premiums for COBRA coverage. Other options, like coverage on a spouse’s plan or through the Marketplace, may be less expensive.
  • Provider Networks If you’re currently getting care or treatment for a condition, a change in your health coverage may affect your access to a particular health care provider. You may want to check to see if your current health care providers participate in a network as you consider options for health coverage.
  • Drug Formularies If you’re currently taking medication, a change in your health coverage may affect your costs for medication – and in some cases, your medication may not be covered by another plan. You may want to check to see if your current medications are listed in drug formularies for other health coverage.
  • Severance payments If you lost your job and got a severance package, your former employer may have offered to pay some or all of your COBRA payments for a period of time. In this scenario, you may want to contact the Department of Labor at 1-866-444-3272 to discuss your options.
  • Service Areas Some plans limit their benefits to specific service or coverage areas – so if you move to another area of the country, you may not be able to use your benefits. You may want to see if your plan has a service or coverage area, or other similar limitations.
  • Other Cost-Sharing In addition to premiums or contributions for health coverage, you probably pay copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, or other amounts as you use your benefits. You may want to check to see what the cost-sharing requirements are for other health coverage options. For example, one option may have much lower monthly premiums, but a much higher deductible and higher copayments.


CAN I ENROLL IN ANOTHER GROUP HEALTH PLAN? You may be eligible to enroll in coverage under another group health plan (like a spouse’s plan), if you request enrollment within 30 days of the loss of coverage. If you or your dependent chooses to elect COBRA continuation coverage instead of enrolling in another group health plan for which you’re eligible, you may have another opportunity to enroll in the other group health plan within 30 days of losing your COBRA coverage. Be sure to check the enrollment requirements for the other group health plan before you waive or terminate COBRA coverage.


To find out more about the Marketplace, such as the next open enrollment period will be and what you need to know about qualifying events and special enrollment periods, visit www.HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.