Do state mini-COBRA laws apply to smaller employers not covered by federal COBRA?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if there is a federal trigger
• D. Not necessarily

Answer: (A)

State mini-COBRA laws exist to extend continuation coverage to employees of smaller employers that federal COBRA doesn’t cover. Federal COBRA generally applies to private-sector employers with 20 or more employees, leaving a gap for smaller employers. Many states have enacted their own continuation rules—often called mini-COBRA—for employers with fewer than 20 employees. These state laws typically require that, after a qualifying event, eligible employees can elect to keep their health coverage for a set period, with provisions on notice and premiums. The exact rules and durations vary by state, but the overarching idea is to fill the gap for small employers that aren’t subject to federal COBRA. So, yes, state mini-COBRA laws apply to smaller employers not covered by federal COBRA.