If you are a Milwaukee County retiree who was hired after Jan. 1, 1994 (may vary based on union), and are not eligible for county-paid health insurance, you may wish to enroll in COBRA to continue your health insurance coverage.

With COBRA, you may elect to continue single or family coverage through Milwaukee County for a maximum of 18 months.

Yes, if you are a retiree with county health coverage, your covered dependents may continue through COBRA for a maximum of 36 months if coverage is terminated:

• Due to the death of the retiree; or
• Due to divorce or legal separation of the dependent from the retiree; or
• With respect to a dependent child, the child is no longer eligible as a dependent under Milwaukee County eligibility rules.

Yes, you are eligible to enroll in the same dental and vision coverage for up to 18 months through COBRA.

COBRA Rates 

Upon your retirement and shortly before your active benefits coverages ends, you will be mailed a COBRA enrollment packet. This packet includes detailed payment information and an enrollment form.

All COBRA premium payments are paid directly to Employee Benefit Corporation, as explained in the COBRA enrollment packet, which you will receive in the mail. 

The Marketplace is designed to help you find health insurance that meets your needs and fits your budget. The Marketplace offers "one-stop shopping" to find and compare private health insurance options. You may also be eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium right away. Open enrollment for health insurance coverage through the Marketplace begins in November each year for coverage starting as early as the immediately following January 1.

Yes. If you have an offer of health coverage from your employer that meets certain standards, you will not be eligible for a tax credit through the Marketplace and may wish to enroll in your employer's health plan. However, you may be eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium, or a reduction in certain cost-sharing if your employer does not offer coverage to you at all or does not offer coverage that meets certain standards. If the cost of a plan from your employer that would cover you (and not any other members of your family) is more than 9.5% of your household income for the year, or if the coverage your employer provides does not meet the "minimum value" standard set by the Affordable Care Act, you may be eligible for a tax credit.

Note: If you purchase a health plan through the Marketplace instead of accepting health coverage offered by your employer, then you may lose the employer contribution (if any) to the employer-offered coverage. Also, this employer contribution, as well as your employee contribution to employer-offered coverage, is often excluded from income for federal and state income tax purposes. Your payments for coverage through the Marketplace are made on an after-tax basis.

For more information about your coverage offered by your employer, check your summary plan description for Milwaukee County or contact benefits at 414-278-4198.

The Marketplace can help you evaluate your coverage options, including your eligibility for coverage through the Marketplace and its cost. Visit HealthCare.gov for more information, including an online application for health insurance coverage and contact information for a Health Insurance Marketplace in your area.

Milwaukee County Information