After FMLA ends at 12 weeks if you continue to be on unpaid sick leave does your insurance stop

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Asked March 12, 2019

1 Answer


Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain medical and family reasons while still retaining their employer-provided health insurance benefits. However, once the 12 weeks of FMLA leave have been exhausted, the employer is not required to continue providing health insurance coverage. If you continue to be on unpaid sick leave beyond the 12 weeks of FMLA, your employer may offer you the option to continue your health insurance coverage through COBRA. COBRA allows employees to continue their group health insurance coverage for a certain period of time after leaving their job or losing their benefits for other reasons, such as exceeding the maximum period of FMLA leave. However, the coverage provided through COBRA is typically more expensive since the employee is responsible for paying the full premium, including the portion previously paid by the employer. If you are unable to return to work after the 12 weeks of FMLA leave and do not have the option to continue your health insurance coverage through COBRA, you may be eligible to enroll in a marketplace health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or in a state-sponsored health insurance program. However, the enrollment period for these options is typically limited, so it's important to explore your options and enroll in a plan as soon as possible to avoid a coverage gap.

Answered March 14, 2019 by insdad

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