Answering ACA questions - Is COBRA after retirement a health benefit plan offer?

[EnjoyTheJourney]

I'm navigating the ACA questionnaire connected to income and insurance as (I think) the final part of filling out the application. It's asking me if I'm offered the NJ State Employee Health Benefit plan through a job or family member's job.

I'm retiring from the state of New Jersey on February 1st. I do have the option to take COBRA health coverage, which is *VERY* expensive. Does that constitute "being offered the New Jersey State Employee Health Benefit plan through a job", or is it considered to be something else?

 

[hdatontodo]

I can't answer that, but this is related:

https://www.healthcare.gov/unemployed/cobra-coverage/

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[EnjoyTheJourney]

That's an excellent resource. It provides a clear path to resolving the question, which is all I need. Thank you very much!

I'll post back here with what I learn after inquiring.

[secondcor521]

It's something else, and you can decline COBRA and sign up for ACA because of the (voluntary) loss of employment.  You get a special enrollment period.

[EnjoyTheJourney]

It's something else, and you can decline COBRA and sign up for ACA because of the (voluntary) loss of employment.  You get a special enrollment period.

You're probably right. It would be the common sense way for things to be. The state does not contribute anything toward the cost of COBRA insurance, which would close to quintuple our health insurance costs; it's hard to see how that could be regarded as the same as being offered the employee health benefit plan.

Still, to verify I called the US DOL using the number provided. They only deal with private COBRA, but they still helped me by providing the following contacts ...

1-877-267-2323, option 6, extension 61565 for COBRA questions (I got a voicemail, didn't leave a message)

and

phig@cms.hhs.gov

Based on the voice message at the phone number, these are absolutely the right people to whom to ask these kinds of questions. I didn't leave a voicemail. But, I sent an email earlier today inquiring about this issue. I'll report back after I (hopefully) get a clear response.