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COBRA

COBRA provides an option for temporarily continuing coverage if you, or your qualified beneficiary, lose eligibility.
Plan Overview- Self-pay basis after “qualifying event” (see below for list of qualifying events)
- Includes medical, dental and vision coverage elections
- Excludes life insurance, AD&D and weekly accident and sickness benefits. 
Qualifying EventsClick here to view a COBRA continuation coverage chart.
Fund Office Notification Responsibilities

The Fund will determine when a qualifying has occurred when the loss of eligibility is due to:

  • Reduction of hours as follows:
    • working less than 1,000 hours in a 12-month Qualifying Period for Plan A
    • working less than 700 hours in a 12-month Qualifying Period for Plan B
    • retirement
  • The death of the member
  • The member becoming entitled to Medicare benefits (under Part A, Part B or both)

For the other qualifying events listed below, you must notify the Fund Office.

Member Notification Responsibilities

Qualifying Event

1. Your divorce or legal separation*
2. A child no longer qualifies as a “dependent child”
3. A second qualifying event 
4. A qualified beneficiary is determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration
5. Determination by the Social Security Administration that the qualified beneficiary is no longer disabled
*See the “General Notice of COBRA Continuation Coverage Rights” for additional information on continuation coverage because of divorce or legal separation.

Notification Deadline

For events 1-3: No later than 60 days after the later of (1) the date of the relevant qualifying event or (2) the date on which coverage would be lost under the Plan as a result of the qualifying event.

For event 4:  No later than 60 days after the date of the disability determination and before the 18-month COBRA continuation period ends.

For event 5: No later than 30 days after the date of the Social Security Administration determination that the qualified beneficiary is no longer disabled.
How to Provide NoticeYou or your dependents must complete a COBRA Notice of Qualifying Event. No other form of notice will be accepted by the Fund. Make a copy of the Notice for yourself before mailing it to the address below.
Where to Send the Notice

The COBRA Notice of Qualifying Event should be sent by U.S. mail to:
     COBRA Department
     Massachusetts Laborers’ Health and Welfare Fund
     14 New England Executive Park, Suite 200
     P.O. Box 4000
     Burlington, MA 01803-0900
Electing Coverage

The COBRA continuation coverage you are able to elect will be based on the coverage you were eligible for at the time of your qualifying event (excluding retirement, see below) as follows:

  • If you had coverage under Plan A and you are not eligible for Plan B at the time of your loss of eligibility, the Fund will extend Plan A COBRA continuation rights.
  • If you had coverage under Plan B at the time of your loss of eligibility, the Fund will extend Plan B COBRA continuation rights.

You and/or your covered dependents have 60 days to make your COBRA election from the later of:
    1. The date you would have lost coverage because of the qualifying event; or
    2. The date you received the election form and COBRA information from the Fund Office.
    If you do not elect COBRA within 60 days, you will forfeit your right to continuation coverage. 

You may elect core (medical) only, core plus dental or core plus dental and vision.
CostIf you elect continuation coverage, you will be charged the full cost of the Plan plus an administrative fee. Premiums are approximately 50% higher during a disability extension.
Sending in PaymentThe first payment must be sent within 45 days following your submission of the COBRA election form and include the cost of coverage retroactive to the first day coverage would have otherwise terminated. Subsequent payments must be made within 30 days after the first day of the coverage month.
Summary Plan Description


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This information is intended only to provide highlights of the plans. In the event of any inconsistency between the information on this Web site and the official plan document, the terms of the official plan document, as interpreted by the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion, will control. All examples and projections included on this Web site are not a guarantee of future benefits under the plans. The benefit amounts are estimates only, based on the stated assumptions and are subject to change.

The Massachusetts Laborers' Benefit Funds reserve the right to amend, modify, or terminate all or part of any plan at any time.