Northern Arizona University

Frequently Asked Questions

Federal law known as the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985 requires that most employers sponsoring group health plans offer employees and their eligible dependents the opportunity for temporary extension of continuous coverage in instances when coverage under the plan would otherwise end.

Employees should make themselves familiar with their COBRA rights by reading the Initial COBRA Notification document.  

Upon loss of coverage for you and/or your eligible dependent(s) a COBRA notification packet will be mailed to you and/or your eligibile dependent(s) within 14 days of the date the Benefits Services receives official confirmation of an employee's separation from employment or change in eligibility status. The law requires that this packet be sent by mail to the last known address of the employee and/or the employee's eligibile dependent(s). This packet will include: 

    COBRA Notification document outlining your rights under federal COBRA laws 

    COBRA Rates (effective October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009)

COBRA PREMIUM REDUCTION - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under COBRA. Eligible individuals pay 35 percent of their COBRA health premiums. The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to nine months. This is available to “assistance eligible individuals”. This includes employee’s who were involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. FAQ's regarding this law

An eligible individual has 60 days from the date of the notice to elect COBRA coverage, which is effective retroactive to the last day of coverage under the NAU/State of Arizona group plan. The individual then has an additional 45 days from the date of COBRA election to make the first premium payment. Additional details will be provided in the materials enclosed in the COBRA notification packet.


COBRA is administered by NAU.  If you have questions about your COBRA rights or the continuation of your coverage, please contact  Lindsey Brooks at (928) 523-6106 or by email - Lindsey.Brooks@nau.edu