Begin Main Content Area

​Mini-COBRA

For people who work in businesses in Pennsylvania with 2-19 employees, Pennsylvania has a Mini-COBRA law.  Mini-COBRA benefits extend health coverage under the small business's insurance plan for up to nine months. 

Pennie® - Pennsylvania's official health insurance marketplace, also has affordable coverage options, including financial assistance to lower your monthly payments and possibly out-of-pocket costs. If you continue coverage with Mini-COBRA, when your Mini-COBRA coverage ends, you may enroll in coverage through Pennie using a Special Enrollment Period.  Learn more at pennie.com or call 1-844-844-8040

Coverage pursuant to the Pennsylvania Mini-COBRA law, however, remains an option you may want to consider.

Mini-COBRA Group Coverage, or NEW Individual Coverage Through Pennie®What to consider?

Following a "qualifying event", you have a choice:  you may choose an individual health plan, such as those available through Pennie, PA's official health insurance marketplace, or you may choose to continue your small group employer plan for up to 9 months through Mini-COBRA.  Below are a few things to consider when making your decision.  Remember, only you and your family can decide your best option.

Here are some things to consider when deciding which option is best for you:

Provider Network
    • Mini-COBRA lets you stay on your former employer's group health plan even if you no longer work there.  The medical coverage is the same, so you have continued access to the same doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers.
Cost
    • Your premium for Mini-COBRA will likely be the full cost of the coverage plus an additional administrative amount of up to 5% more, for a total of 105% of the premium. 
    • Your premium for coverage through Pennie® depends on the health plan you select. 9 out of 10 consumers qualify for financial assistance. If you qualify, financial assistance lowers monthly premiums and/or out-of-pocket costs (i.e. co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance). 
Existing Deductibles

    • Keep in mind that switching to other coverage may start a new deductible period, especially if it is late in the year.
    • Pennie can help you determine whether it makes sense to select Mini-COBRA to bridge the gap between the qualifying event and the start of a new policy year for coverage through Pennie.

Remember: You have a limited time to make a selection. Whether you are considering Mini-COBRA, or new individual coverage through Pennie, please be aware that your loss of group coverage triggers a Pennie Special Enrollment opportunity that is time-sensitive. 

You have 30 days from the date of the Mini-COBRA Election Notice to choose to continue that coverage through Mini-COBRA. 

Generally, you have 60 days before and after the loss of your employer group coverage to apply and enroll in a new Marketplace individual coverage. With the loss of your group coverage, you don't have to wait until the Pennie Open Enrollment period.  Learn more by visiting pennie.com


Mini-Cobra FAQs

Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding Mini-COBRA coverage.

 Accordion



Expand AllClick here for a more accessible version

​About Mini-COBRA

​Eligibility

​Notice Requirements 

​Timing for Electing Mini-COBRA Continuation Coverage

​Benefits and Payment for Mini-COBRA Continuation Coverage

 Content Editor

​Additional Questions

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is here to help answer your questions on Mini-COBRA. Please feel free to contact us.

Phone: 1-877-881-6388
E-mail: ra-in-consumer@pa.gov