COBRA election documents checklist

Keep each COBRA deadline and payment detail tied to the notice or employer plan document that supplied it.

• COBRA election notice dateThe notice date helps readers verify the election context with employer plan documents and DOL COBRA materials.
• Election deadline stated in the COBRA noticeThe employer or plan administrator notice is the source to verify before relying on a planning page.
• First payment due date and payment instructionsPayment timing is a COBRA-specific fact that should not be inferred from Marketplace timing summaries.

These facts help readers compare continuity without turning the checklist into a recommendation.

• Monthly COBRA premiumCOBRA cost is useful comparison context, but it should stay attached to the employer notice that supplied it.
• Plan type and covered family membersCoverage continuity can depend on the plan and covered members, so readers should verify details in plan documents.
• Deductible and out-of-pocket progressProgress toward cost sharing can matter when comparing continuity, but it does not determine eligibility elsewhere.

Use official Marketplace sources for timing questions rather than assuming COBRA and Marketplace deadlines are interchangeable.

• Coverage loss dateMarketplace SEP timing starts with the coverage event and should be verified through HealthCare.gov or the state Marketplace.
• Whether COBRA is being elected, ending, or canceledHealthCare.gov COBRA context distinguishes different COBRA situations that can lead to different verification questions.
• Official Marketplace route for your stateFinal Marketplace timing and application checks should happen through the official route, not a private comparison page.