Overview
The right to COBRA continuation coverage was created by a federal law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985.
COBRA continuation allows you, your covered spouse and/or dependents, to temporarily continue your health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and/or healthcare flexible spending account if you were enrolled but lose eligibility. In most cases, such as termination of employment, coverage can be continued for up to 18 months. In some cases, coverage may be continued for up to 36 months. If elected, coverage is extended from the date of the qualifying event. For more information, including eligible COBRA events, review the COBRA: Continuation of Coverage Rights for the Group Health Insurance Program.
If you and/or your covered dependents lose eligibility for health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and/or healthcare flexible spending account coverage, you will be mailed a COBRA notice which outlines your continuation rights for the plan(s) you were enrolled in. You have 60 days (starting on the later of the date you were provided notice or the date you lose coverage) to choose whether or not to elect to continue coverage.
Note: You may be able to enroll in coverage through your spouse’s employer through a “special enrollment period”. Or you may be able to purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. These options may cost less than continuing coverage through the Universities of Wisconsin. Compare your options to determine what is best for you and your family.
Benefits Plans
Below is information on each plan that you may be eligible to continue coverage.
To review your current benefit elections, visit the MyWisconsin Portal and go to the Benefits and Well-Being tile.
You may be eligible to continue your State Group Health Insurance (including uniform dental) coverage by paying the total premium.
- For employees, continuants and retirees without Medicare: total premium information
- For Graduate Assistants / Short-Term Academic Staff employees: total premium information
You may be eligible to continue your Dental Insurance coverage by paying the Dental Insurance premium.
You may be eligible to continue your Vision Insurance coverage by paying the Vision Insurance premium.
You may be eligible to continue your Health Care Flexible Spending Account by making after-tax contributions by paying the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) directly.
Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, and Accident Insurance plans are not subject to COBRA regulations; however, you may be able to continue, convert, or port the plans you were enrolled in if you lose eligibility.
- State Group Life Insurance
- Continuation of group policy coverage at retirement is available (eligibility requirements must be met). Continuation at retirement is automatic if you begin a WRS annuity within 31 days of when your active employee coverage ends. If you do not begin your WRS annuity, submit a continuation form within 31 days after your active employee coverage ends.
- Conversion of coverage to an individual policy at the end of employment (not retirement) is available if you were continuously insured for six months preceding termination of coverage. To convert coverage submit a conversion form and pay the required premium within 31 days after your group coverage ends.
- Individual & Family Life Insurance
- Conversion of coverage to an individual policy at the end of employment is available. To convert coverage submit a conversion form and pay the required premium within 31 days after your group coverage ends.
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Continuation of group policy coverage at retirement is available. To continue coverage you must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
- Conversion of coverage to an individual policy at the end of employment (not retirement) is available. To convert coverage you must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
- Accident Insurance
- You may port coverage when you terminate or retire. To port coverage submit a portability election form within 31 days of the coverage end date or the receipt of the continuation notice, whichever is later. You may continue coverage until age 70.
Review the Continuation and Conversion sections of Life Insurance web pages, and AD&D and Accident Insurance web pages for more information.
Continuation & Conversion Forms
If you and/or your covered dependents lose eligibility for coverage, you will be sent a COBRA notice which will outline your continuation rights for the plan(s) you were enrolled in.
Contact UW-Shared Services, Service Operations at serviceoperations@support.wisconsin.edu or (888) 298-0141 (7:45-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) to request continuation and/or conversion forms.
Submit completed forms and any payment due to the address listed on the continuation or conversion forms.
Every effort has been made to ensure this information is current and correct. Information on this page does not guarantee enrollment, benefits and/or the ability to make changes to your benefits.
Updated: 04/22/2025