Michelle's Law
Eligibility for coverage for your children (and eligible stepchildren) ends on December
31 of the calendar year in which your child reaches the dependent eligibility age
limit as determined by the Plan. If your child graduates from or leaves school before
the age limit is reached, coverage continues until the end of the month in which he
or she graduates or leaves. However, if it is medically necessary for your covered
child to take a 鈥渟chool leave,鈥� meaning the child stops being a full-time student
solely as a result of serious illness or injury, your child may continue to be covered
under the Plan on the same terms and conditions as before the school leave.
This coverage continues until either 12 months following the year in which the school
leave began; or the date coverage would have otherwise ended under the Plan (for example,
the child reaches the dependent eligibility age limit or you terminate your employment),
whichever is earlier. In order for coverage to continue, you must provide the Benefits
Department a written certification from the child鈥檚 physician that the child suffers
from a serious illness or injury and that the school leave is medically necessary.
Unless prohibited by federal COBRA rules, the school leave is considered a Qualifying
Event for purposes of COBRA and this continuation of coverage will be applied toward
the COBRA continuation coverage period.