#cobra

Has anyone here who recently retired or forced into retirement from Verizon signed up for the Retiree COBRA Plan?

My severance package includes my current health coverage, but that coverage ends in September, so I’m trying to decide whether enrolling in the Retiree COBRA Plan is worth the cost.

I know I can call Verizon Benefits and get answers to my specific questions, but I’d really like to hear from real-world Verizon retirees who have actually gone through the process and can share their experience.

For those who enrolled:

What are you paying per month?
Which plan did you choose?
How has the coverage been compared with what you had while working?
Have you run into any unexpected costs, limitations, or issues?
Overall, do you feel the Retiree COBRA Plan is worth the cost?

I’d especially love to hear from Verizon retirees in Florida, but I’m interested in anyone’s experience. I’m trying to make an informed decision before my current coverage ends. Thanks!

With the onesy twosy layoffs still occurring why is there no info here on package? Weeks of severance? Weeks of cobra? , etc. has it drastically been reduced?

I know severance package details contain contact information but foreseeing being part of future WFR so curious what the cost is for PPO Cobra for employee/children or just employee? If you know please share.

For those that were RIF'd 12/25 have you received the invoice for Cobra?

I will be leaving Exxon soon, but will likely have a couple week gap before starting my new role. I will likely be gone before end of August, but new job starts mid September. For anyone who has recently left Exxon, either through layoffs or voluntarily, how did health insurance work after your last day?

Specifically, does Exxon coverage continue through the end of the month in which you leave, or does it end on your actual termination date?

Also, for anyone who used COBRA, was there a gap where you could wait to elect it and then have coverage applied retroactively if you ended up needing it?

Trying to understand how people handled a short gap between Exxon coverage ending and coverage starting with a new employer.

Thanks!

seems like we have to wait to get a COBRA packet in the mail from Centene before electing.. so I'm like is there a gap in care??? and wondering if we still qualify for marketplace if we do cobra for the 3 months.

Have you been laid off from OoenText in the US and taken the COBRA option for health insurance? If so, can you share cost info? Thanks!

I heard it mentioned that over-60s get extended Cobra, but I wasn't able to confirm it yet.

Does anyone have the address to send the elections form to for COBRA acceptance. I accidentally tossed the envelope it came in and don't know where to send the form.

I apologize if this has been asked already, but I could not search by subject. This question is for anyone who has received their final severance pay Did you receive any information regarding Cobra once severance ended? Has anyone signed up for Cobra once your severance benefits ended? Thank you.

You can call them to let them know you don't want to continue Cobra. Or you can just ignore the bills if you don't feel like wasting half an hour on the phone.

Nobody likes being laid off, but MSI has made the entire process far more stressful than it needed to be. Throughout this process, they’ve provided a lot of misinformation—or just plain incorrect information—to both me and several of my former coworkers.

I originally emailed HR because my 401(k) still wasn’t reflecting my termination. I even acknowledged the expected processing timeline and pointed out that more than enough time had passed. Only then did they escalate the issue, and it turns out Voya hadn’t even been notified that we were terminated.

Then there was the COBRA coverage. We were told Aptia365 would have our subsidized rates available, so I waited. After hearing nothing, I finally called them myself and was told I had to enroll first before anything would appear. That was never communicated.

The fact that so many of us have had to chase down answers and fix issues ourselves is frustrating and disappointing. If a company is going to lay off a large number of employees, it should also be prepared to handle the administrative process accurately and communicate it clearly.

If you’re reading this MSI, go fly a kite. This whole experience is ridiculous and shameful. Maybe don't lay off so many people if you can't keep up with the paperwork required.

Independence Premium Foods will lay off 41 employees in August. The company cited a shift from two production shifts to one as the reason for the reduction. This decision aims to rebalance the customer base and strengthen the plant's long-term viability. Affected employees will receive final pay, COBRA information, and support for reemployment. The company plans to rehire these workers as volume increases.

Independence, Iowa

https://www.kcrg.com/2026/07/15/workers-be-laid-off-independence-premium-foods/

I understand that if you accept severance over time instead of a lump sum payment, you can keep your medical/dental/vision benefits. Does anyone know if those are going to be the same rates as when I was employed or will it be at the higher COBRA rates? Trying to determine if I should just lump sum it and go on my spouses benefits

I’m not afraid of a layoff but I’m in my late 40’s and worried about the future cost of healthcare if I don’t find a new role before COBRA runs out. Could anyone paying for healthcare in NC share their monthly premium and deductible? Just trying to feel prepared.

Microsoft is providing laid-off US employees with a generous severance package. The offer includes up to 39 weeks of base pay, determined by seniority and tenure. Employees will also receive continued stock vesting for a period of six to twelve months. Health insurance coverage will be paid for six months, with an option for extended COBRA coverage. These terms are comparable to previous voluntary buyouts, with slightly shorter health benefits.

https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-severance-offers-layoffs-plan-2026-7

I was cut after 15 years at Centene. I was in a specialized department and fully expected to retire there, but corporate decided our roles are likely being outsourced. Shoutout to our director for actually being VERY transparent about it instead of bullsh-tting all of us. The exit package was $56k, 8 months of COBRA, and 3 months of career placement help (for most of us it's useless)... it felt pretty fair and I signed the docs... now it's time to look for the next thing

Does anyone know if those of us affected by this RIF on July 1st will be covered under the CDW medical insurance through end of July or are we officially without medical insurance now? This would be before COBRA is elected. How does this work?

Feeling pretty numb from it all. Still trying to get over the shock and we have been a one income family, now a zero income family!

Has anyone taken the Nike paid COBRA coverage? I signed up for it today but it's alarming that in the Wageworks system it says "participant paid" and I'm on the hook for a $2400 monthly bill to cover everything for the 4 members of the family. Are we supposed to pay and get reimbursed or does Nike pay directly? If they pay directly how long does it take? Kaiser let us know that we are canceled and we're wondering how long before we're reinstated.

Brace yourselves. This is not a ‘cry wolf’ troll. Do what you must. Any personal data, things you will need for your next job search, any previous prep /notes etc…now is a good time.
CoBRA match has not happened yet. It’s been over a month since June cohort. Heads up.

Will the Cobra coverage only apply for medical? Will vision and dental be covered?

i got let go May 19. still can't find a job. not surprise. According to NetApp, they will continue to pay 3-4 months of Health Insurance before July 18, but need to enroll or sign up before July 18. They never mentioned how to enroll or any link, Anyone got let go might be in the same boat. can you share? thanks

Can someone tell me if they received insurance during the displacement was it Cobra? how long did you have it? and did Wells pay their part of the insurance?

If I don’t elect the Cobra coverage, will I receive the money that I would have paid toward my regular medical coverage in my lump sum?

When it says “the company will subsidize your cobra premium” does that mean they will be paying the whole premium on our behalf or just a portion of what we would be responsible for? I don’t know if I’m just misunderstanding or if they are being intentionally vague.

Read between the lines, my love. The following is from a LinkedIn post:

Take the severance.
Take the buyout.
Take the "early exit" package.
Take the separation package.
Take the termination package.
When your employer starts offering them, pay attention.
Because these programs are rarely about generosity.
They're usually the corporate version of smoke in the kitchen.
A re-org is coming.
A sale is coming.
An acquisition is coming.
Layoffs are coming.
Or somebody in a conference room has decided payroll needs to lose a little weight.
Earlier this year, I had a client turn down an early retirement package because he loved his job and thought the company loved him back.
"There's no way they're going to let me go."
They did.
Four months later.

The package he turned down included
1 full year of severance
6 months of COBRA
50% of his expected annual bonus

What did he get when the layoff finally came?
6 weeks of pay.
No bonus.
No extra health coverage.

That's a brutal difference.
I know people don't want to believe the company they've given years to might be setting the stage to cut them loose.
But loyalty does not protect you. Ever.
If a company starts offering buyouts, early retirement packages, or voluntary separation deals, do not just focus on whether you want to leave.
Ask yourself why they want people to leave now.
Because not taking the offer can be like assuming the gift horse isn't about to turn around and kick you square in the a-s.

I'm trying to plan ahead in case the worst happens. What do people do about health insurance after they're laid off? Is there COBRA? Are there other options? I'd really like to know what to expect.

After reading the VSP offer, details & information and the FAQs, these are the questions I have for leadership. Please feel free to add to the list:

1. Can employees review the Separation Agreement before making a final decision? We’re being asked to make an irreversible decision (if our application is accepted) before seeing the actual release language.
2. What is the true amount I will receive of if I accept the VSP? Not the estimated amount. The concern is the amount maybe lowered after our application is approved.
3. If I decline the VSP and am later laid off, what severance amount would I receive? This amount could be lower or higher and plays a big part in the decision.
4. What percentage of VSP applications are expected to be approved?
5. What will my monthly health insurance cost be during the 6-month COBRA subsidy?
6. What will the full COBRA premium cost after the subsidy ends?
7. When should employees expect the lump-sum severance payment?
8. If rehired by Centene, what repayment obligations apply?
9. How will unemployment benefits be affected by the VSP?
10. What happens if my VSP application is approved but business needs change later?
11. How likely is it that accepted applicants will receive a September 1 separation date? The FAQs state the dates may vary.

Are you seeing the rates being subsidized ? The paperwork said cobra will be subsidized to what one paid as active employee for the x weeks of severance. Cobra paperwork has a scandalous $ for indi+ family. Any leads on how you addressed this ? TIA.

For whatever reason, they tried to sneak me into COBRA after my layoff. If I hadn't called to fight it I'd have had to may 800 something dollars. But for some messed up reason, they want to still make sure I pay something so I have a 300 something dollar bill (thank you useless offshore rep) that I have to once again fight.

Oh and the reps were all offshored. Man fu-k this place and its current leaders to he-l.

To everyone who served their last day on May 29th, thank you for everything you’ve contributed here..

As the community navigates this transition, many are trying to understand the baseline support the company provided. If you feel comfortable sharing, could you shed some light on the standard severance packages? Specifically:

Salary: Did the company stick to the standard 2 weeks of pay per year of service (up to a 6-month max), or did those with shorter tenures (like 3 years or less) get a flat baseline?

Shares: Did they pay out any shares based on their current vesting value, or did all share vesting completely cut off on May 29th?

Bonus & Benefits: Were annual bonuses pro-rated based on the time you worked this year, and are they subsidizing health insurance (COBRA)?

Wishing you all the absolute best on your next chapters!

I never confirmed nor signed up for COBRA yet somehow I am still getting billed for something. I was laid off here and wanted to just leave in peace but WTF is this company giving me more reasons to get angry?

Does anyone know how/where COBRA payments are made once our insurance transitions? My garden leave ends in June 1 and I really don’t want O decimating my final payout for the COBRA.

Did anyone else affected by the Intuit layoffs who is IPI eligible get a severance letter that includes the number of weeks of severance and COBRA info, but no specific dollar amount of IPI listed? Some of my colleagues had dollar amounts included (which were of course lower amounts than they typically get), but my letter only generally referenced if you are eligible for IPI it will be paid out with your final paycheck. I think they are going to sc--w me out of my bonus?

Those of you laid off, what are you doing for Medical Insurance?

With the healthcare.gov marketplace prices having gone up significantly, as well as COBRA cost on the individual end's increasing - what are you doing for insurance / paying a month for Medical Insurance?

Lowest monthly premium on healthcare.gov is $200 or so higher than COBRA in my case, so i guess COBRA is the way to go in my case while severance is still being paid.

COBRA is tough though, if you cancel the month prior to severance ending to avoid paying for COBRA at full price and you are not in the Enrollment Period - you go without insurance for a short time until you can enroll?

What a joke the whole concept is honestly. Getting the shaft from multiple angles so wondering if anyone has thought this through.

Health share? Insurance less? Finding any job with benefits to avoid paying full premiums for medical insurance?

Let's hear your options all you titans of the Healthcare industry!!!

Severance payment of 16 weeks plus two weeks for every year of completed services, minus your notice period. Please see the cover sheet of the attached Separation Agreement for more details on this calculation.
Payment of COBRA (health insurance) premiums for you and your family (if they are dependents on your current plan) for 18 months.

OP: @ap+1ks3r72xt

Bumping this up for visibility.

Layoff email from Meta says:

Payment of COBRA (health insurance) premiums for you and your family (if they are dependents on your current plan) for 18 months.

From my friend I heard, Oracle is just paying 1m .

I know some people got laid off last month. I got laid off today. My official termination date is 6/3, so they gave me two weeks' notice. I will receive my severance pay twice a month, just like my paycheck, and three months of COBRA. I have been with FIS for over 32 years, so it's about time to retire. I knew the writing was on the wall after they transferred me to a new group last September and then shut down the project I was working on. It's too bad, as I enjoy working on that project. They said they will still contribute to my 401K in February next year. At least I got my severance pay, unlike the poor guys who got rebadged.

ACA (Obamacare) is most expensive. The Citi retirement plan is second and ironically COBRA is cheapest (at $2,100 per month for my wife and I).

I will turn 65 during the 18 month COBRA period. So, I thinking that is the best option (COBRA then Medicare for me). Then ACA for my wife until she turns 65 in 3 years.

I'm just wondering what others have done or what your thoughts are. Thanks