A cleaner handoff when an employee loses job-based health coverage.

Confirm the coverage-loss date

• Last date of active employee coverage
• Whether coverage ends immediately or at month-end
• Which household members were enrolled

Identify the responsible administrator

• Plan administrator and COBRA vendor
• Current mailing and electronic-delivery address
• Contact method for correcting missing or incorrect notices

Provide documents—not predictions

• COBRA election notice when applicable
• Current plan name, network and Summary of Benefits and Coverage
• Applicable premium and payment instructions
• Any severance-related employer contribution, in writing

Remind the employee that other clocks may apply

Loss of qualifying job-based coverage can create a separate Marketplace Special Enrollment Period. A spouse's employer plan may also have its own special-enrollment deadline. The employee should confirm every date directly with the responsible plan or Marketplace.

Offer a neutral next step

Employees can use the deadline organizer, COBRA cost worksheet and doctor and prescription checklist. Let the employee decide whether and when to contact a broker.