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| Postdoctoral AFFAIRS |
When your postdoctoral assignment with Stanford University terminates
(for reasons other than "gross misconduct") you have
the right to continue your current health benefits: Blue Cross Medical, Delta Dental and VSP Vision under the United States Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
COBRA contains provisions giving former postdoctoral scholars,
spouses/life partners, and their dependent children the right to
temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates. If you or your dependents are enrolled in the Blue Cross Medical, Delta Dental and Vision Plan at the time your appointment terminates, COBRA may be an option to continue your coverages. HMO Medical only available to California residents.
When a Postdoctoral Scholar desires to terminate an appointment, a letter of resignation should be submitted to the recommending Principal Investigator issuing at least a two week notice. This letter should contain the effective separation date and state the reason for separation if other than a planned appointment end date. Sample Resignation Letter.
How do I begin this process?
You are responsible for notifying
your department administrator 30 days in advance of your
termination. Your department administrator must then complete a
Termination of Appointment Form 
and submit it to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
This form will enable us to cancel your healthcare coverages and
any deductions from your checking account on a timely basis.
If you are enrolled in the Cardinal Care Aetna Medical Plan, we do not cancel Cardinal Care Medical; you need to notify the Cardinal Care Office that your appointment is ending.
Once the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs receives the required Termination Form from your department administrator, we will terminate your benefits.
You will then be contacted by mail by our COBRA administrator, CONEXIS. It is important that a forwarding mail address be provided (to your department administrator, and consequently the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs) so that you will receive COBRA information in a timely manner. You will have 60 days from your termination date to enroll in COBRA benefits. If you do not receive COBRA information within a month of your termination, please contact the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Benefits:
| Mona Hartmann Benefits Manager Phone: E-mail: |
Cecilia Avila Benefits Coordinator Phone: E-mail: |
Cobra Participant contact information |
How much does it cost?
Group health coverage for COBRA participants is more expensive than health coverage for active postdoctoral scholars since Stanford pays a part of the premium for active postdocs while COBRA participants pay the entire premium themselves plus a 2% administration fee. COBRA is ordinarily less expensive than individual health coverage. Please see current medical, dental and vision rates.
Who can receive these benefits?
A spouse/life partner or dependent(s) who was covered by the health plans at
the time your postdoctoral scholar assignment at Stanford terminated is eligible
for COBRA coverage. You may choose to enroll only a spouse/life partner and/or
child in COBRA even though you choose not to cover yourself.
How long does COBRA coverage last?
You can continue COBRA benefits for up to 18 months. Benefits may terminate earlier under certain conditions. Please see the U.S. Department of Labor website for details.
When does my Postdoc coverage end?
Postdoc health insurance ends on the last day of the month ALWAYS, regardless
of termination date in the month.
Examples of coverage end dates and appointment termination dates:
- Appointment termination date June 1, insurance terminates June
30
Appointment termination date June 15, insurance terminates June 30
Appointment termination date June 30, insurance terminates June 30
For more information about your COBRA rights, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor online.
*updated 4/11/08
