If an individual enrolls in COBRA, can the individual switch to Covered California?

If the individual enrolls in COBRA coverage and the special-enrollment period lapses, the individual cannot cancel the COBRA coverage and enroll in a Covered California health plan until 1) the COBRA coverage is exhausted, 2)  the individual has a different qualifying life event for special enrollment, or 3) the next annual open-enrollment period.

If the individual stops paying the COBRA premium and loses coverage (or if the employer has agreed to pay for a limited time and the individual does not continue the payments), the individual will not be eligible for special enrollment through Covered California. The individual will only qualify for special enrollment if:

1. Someone else responsible for sending the COBRA premium payments (for example, the former employer) fails to do so on a timely basis.
2. The individual moves out of the plan coverage area, and there is no COBRA continuation coverage available.
3. The individual reaches the plan’s lifetime limit for benefits.

If none of these reasons apply, the individual will have to wait until the next Covered California open-enrollment period to cancel the COBRA plan and sign up for a Covered California health insurance plan, unless there is another qualifying life event for special enrollment. It’s also important to know that if the individual decides to drop or forgo COBRA and enroll in a Covered California plan, the individual cannot go back to COBRA.