COBRA Vendor Update
鈥婥OBRA continuation coverage is offered to separating employees and dependents who experience certain life events. COBRA allows these beneficiaries to continue the coverage they had on a UA Choice Plan when they are no longer eligible as an employee or dependent. In September, our COBRA vendor will have a new portal for those electing COBRA coverage. Training and communication to those affected will be provided directly from our COBRA vendor.
When will the change occur?
- The new portal will be completed on September 22nd, 2025.
- While the portal is being updated, a "black out" period will be in affect from September 12th - September 21st, 2025. This black out period has no affect on COBRA offers, applications, deadlines, payments, or coverage. It only affects the ability to login to the portal during this time.
Will this affect me?
- COBRA continuation coverage is available to former employees and/or dependents of
employees in the following scenarios:
- Separation of the employee from the University
- Leave of absence of the employee from the University
- Dependent child turning 26 and aging out of the plan
- To the ex-spouse in the event of a divorce
- If you are a current employee who will not experience any of these COBRA events in the month of September, this does not pertain to you. The transition will only affect those (1) currently enrolled in COBRA and (2) those who will enroll in COBRA during this portal transition period. After the transition and black out period, COBRA portal access will resume as normal.
What do I need to look out for?
- Those who are currently enrolled in COBRA coverage have already been communicated with via a mailed letter in July by our COBRA vendor.
- If you will experience a COBRA event between September 1st - September 22nd, you will be communicated with directly - along with your COBRA election packet - from our COBRA vendor.
Questions?
- COBRA Application
- If you have any questions about your COBRA application, please contact our COBRA vendor at (800) 328-4337.
- Unsure what COBRA is or if you are experiencing a COBRA event?
- If you have general questions about what COBRA is and if you will be experiencing a COBRA event, please reach out to TouchCare at 1-866-486-8242, assist@touchcare.com or open a ticket on .
Emailed via benefits newsletter on 8/26/2025.
Published via UA News on 9/5/2025.
Contact Benefits: (907) 450-8242 | ua-benefits@alaska.edu | schedule one-on-one time