8.1 Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation Act (COBRA). This is the federal law that provides faculty and staff members who lose their medical and/or dental coverage the opportunity to purchase that coverage as described in 8.1.2.
8.1.1 Eligibility. All faculty and staff members covered by the USNH's medical and/or dental plan are entitled to elect to remain covered by the plan(s) at their own expense and without proof of good health after coverage would otherwise terminate.
8.1.2 Description. Coverage may be continued for up to 18 months following a qualifying event such as voluntary or involuntary loss of employment (except for gross misconduct) and for up to 36 months following death, divorce or legal separation from a covered faculty/staff member. Coverage may also be continued for a dependent child no longer eligible under the terms of the plan(s).
8.1.3 Faculty/Staff Member Responsibility. In order to continue coverage, the faculty/staff member must notify the USNH, or its designee, as soon as possible, but in no case may it be later than 60 days from the date of the qualifying event. Specific details regarding COBRA's terms and conditions are outlined in the medical and dental plan descriptions.
8.2 Survivors -- Deceased Faculty/Staff Member. The spouse and dependent children of a deceased faculty/staff member will be provided with continuation of USNH's contribution to the medical and dental plan for up to six months from the date of death. After the six months have expired, the surviving spouse and dependent children will be offered the opportunity to continue coverage under COBRA.
8.3 Leaves Without Pay. USNH will continue its own benefits contributions for up to 90 days for an Operating staff member on a leave of absence without pay. For a Faculty/PAT staff member on a leave without pay, USNH will continue its own contributions for up to 120 days. See USY V.A.21 for more details.
8.4 Last Day of Benefits Coverage. The last day of active service as defined in USY V.A.4.3 is considered the last day of benefits coverage.
8.4.1 Exception. The last day of benefits coverage may be extended for academic year faculty when the faculty member performs service to the institution outside the established academic year dates and when that service does not result in supplemental compensation. Approval for this arrangement must be given by the Chief Academic Officer.