Is it a law that a company must cover your health insurance for the rest of the month when you quit?

Question

I know someone who like to quit their job, but they don't know if the company will terminate their health insurance immediately or not. They can't ask anyone at the company. Is there a law that requires the company to continue the coverage for the duration of the month at the companies expense? Most people I talk to have had their company continue coverage for the rest of the month, but not sure if this is a discretionary company policy or law? The person would have new insurance at a new job starting within one month, but would like to avoid paying COBRA for the one month from the employer he is leaving? The state is Missouri, if that is a factor. The person would also need to quit without 2 weeks notice. (The company is not very employee friendly and financial need is immediate). If you could reference a website, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

No. It's not a law for the employer to continue your insurance for even a day after your employment ends - not matter what the reason. Some employers do carry it for the remainder of the month, some end it the day of termination - but it's all individual to the employer.

Answer 2

There isn't a law that requires a company to give you continued health insurance, however most companies take the premium out of your pay check when you get paid, so let's say s/he got paid 2x a months, then with one check s/he paid 2 weeks of coverage and with the 2nd check s/he paid the next two weeks.  So if she's covered the whole month, even if she leave two weeks before the month is over.  also, they don't have to give you continued health care, but they do by law have to offer you COBRA coverage - which is ridiculously high.

Answer 3

It varies by policy. It is not state mandated

Answer 4

Here is the practical (if not particularly ethical) solution:

You are allowed at least 60 days to decide whether to get COBRA or not, so wait until the new job's insurance starts.  If the person does not require any medical care during the remainder of the month, then decline the COBRA after the month ends.  If the person does require medical care during that month, then pay the premium for that month.  By law, your decision to elect COBRA is retroactive and they will have to pay the same amount for the medical care as if you had elected COBRA before knowing if you would need it.

Answer 5

No..........it depends on the company..................