New York State Expands Continuation Coverage For Insured Medical Plans

A new law requires New York employers with insured medical plans to change their practices for the provision of post-employment health coverage. New York employers with 20 or more employees have, until now, been required to comply with federal COBRA, but not with New York state law, when making continued medical coverage available after a job loss or other qualifying event. Employers with fewer than 20 employees were subject to New York's separate "mini-COBRA" law that was enacted earlier this year. However, the rules changed at the end of July 2009; employers with 20 or more employees must now accommodate coverage continuation rights granted by recent amendments to the New York Insurance Law regardless of the number of employees. In some cases, the changes may be retroactive to July 1, 2009.