Question
Illinois
I was laid off 31th of August. I was told at 4pm that is my last day at work and my insurance ends today. I didn't even have a chance to sign up for cobra or anything else. Documents to sing up for cobra I get after 2 weeks.
Is it legal? Was I covered?
Four days after being laid off I had to go to emergency room.
Is it legal to leave somebody without insurance, not giving him time to find something else?
Thank you in advance
Gromiasty
Answer
How long your insurance lasts after the end of your employment is determined by your insurance policy, not by law. Approximately 50% of the time it ends on the last day of your employment; the rest of the time it generally goes till the last day of the month in which your employment ended. Both are common; both are legal.
Your employer has up to 44 days after the end of your employment to notify you of your right to COBRA. It is perfectly legal for them to term your insurance until after you have elected COBRA and made your first payment. Once you have made that payment, the employer will reinstate your coverage retroactive to the date of cancellation. They MUST do that by law; they may not cause there to be a gap in your coverage. However, they need not do so until they actually have your check in their hands.
No law requires your employer to continue to cover you after you have been laid off.