The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and Missouri law permit group members to continue their group coverage if they leave the group for certain specified reasons. Missouri's basic continuation law covers employers and employees not covered by the federal requirements and extends the same continuation of coverage required by federal COBRA to employers and employees covered by state law.
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Missouri's basic continuation requirement applies to group health policies and health maintenance organizations that provide hospital, surgical, and major medical benefits (MO Stat. Sec. 376.428). Continuation need not include dental, vision care, or prescription drug benefits or any other benefits provided under the group policy in addition to its hospital, surgical, or major medical benefits, but continuation must include maternity benefits if those benefits are provided under the group policy.
Termination of employment. Employees and covered dependents are entitled to 18 months of continuation coverage if they lose coverage because of a termination in employment. Continuation does not have to be provided to individuals who are or could be covered by Medicare or who, at the time of the termination of employment, are covered by another group arrangement providing hospital, surgical, or major medical coverage.
Death of employee or dissolution of marriage. The spouse of an employee whose coverage under the group policy would otherwise terminate due to dissolution of marriage or death ...