COBRA health insurance continues to be a mess for laid-off workers.

COBRA is a provision of federal law that allows most workers to keep employer-based health insurance up to 18 months after a layoff.  But such policies are expensive, so a subsidy of premiums  was enacted as part of the 2009 stimulus bill pays for 65 percent of costs.

The subsidy created an affordable health insurance option for millions of unemployed people, as well as the self-employed. The subsidy was extended for six months at the end of 2009, but expired again on March 31st. Legislation is pending in both the House and Senate to extend the subsidy again as part of a broader jobless benefits bill. But the bills were blocked by Republicans before Congress went on Spring break.

All this means yet more uncertainty for Americans relying on the subsidy to stay insured. Another extension is likely, but the expiration leaves COBRA beneficiaries in a tricky spot.

The New York Times yesterday offered excellent advice to those who now find themselves caught in the COBRA  gap.

Related posts:

1. Benefits experts say COBRA subsidy will be extended
2. How to cope with COBRA subsidy uncertainty
3. Where to go for assistance and info on COBRA subsidy
4. Why health insurance reform will be good for Medicare recipients
5. Reader mailbag: Stay on COBRA or enroll for Medicare?

Tags | COBRA