Am I required to enroll in COBRA or COBRA alternative coverage?

No, there is no requirement to enroll in COBRA or COBRA alternative health coverage. Insurance is voluntary in all states except Massachusetts.

It is important to consider, however, that admission to other subsidized health plans can be denied for the length of time that COBRA would have been available (even if the COBRA coverage was not elected). In this case it could mean that those who do not enroll in COBRA have no coverage for pre-existing conditions for at least 18 months.

revised 3/31/09

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