I was let go in November and signed up for COBRA. I found out I was not covered in December, however, Cisco will debit my account for this insurance for December. Consequently, there is no consideration for the insurance, AND Cisco is going to pick my pocket for this lack of coverage.
This used to be an ethical company. It is not anymore.
For those in the Feb layoff, good luck.
I was laid-off by Cisco in Jan 2025, and was sent COBRA package which I lost.
IS there an online link where I can enroll for COBRA? Thanks in advance .
Does anyone have the phone number or web site for Cisco’s COBRA administrator?
...Cisco will debit my account for this insurance for December. Consequently, there is no consideration for the insurance, AND Cisco is going to pick my pocket for this lack of coverage.
What do you mean Cisco will debit your account for this insurance (COBRA) for Dec?
Cisco has nothing to do with COBRA. They provided your info to a third-party COBRA insurance provider to notify of your eligibility. They provided you with a lump sum amount equal to 4 months of your eligible COBRA benefits costs grossed up to cover taxes.
It's on you to read the paperwork sent to you by the COBRA benefits administrator, on you to enroll (if you elect to do so), and you have a limited time frame to do so, which is spelled out clearly in the paperwork mailed to you. Once enrolled, and your first payment is received, your COBRA benefits are retroactively enabled back to the last day of employment/benefits coverage with Cisco. It is your responsibility to make your COBRA payments on time, before the due date, not Cisco's. If you make a payment late, your COBRA entitlement/coverage ends and you cannot restart it. This is also made abundantly clear in the paperwork the COBRA benefits administrator sent to you.
COBRA works the same no matter who the employer is. The only thing that varies from company to company is whether or not:
All employees eligible for an employer benefits plan, upon termination, are eligible for up to 18 months of COBRA coverage, and in some situations, it can be extended for an additional 18 mo, but you'd have to search the Internet for what those situations are.
Not to sound heartless, but it sounds like Cisco LR'd the right person in this case. Far too often, it's a hard-working, capable person who knows how to read. Hopefully you've learned your lesson about how COBRA works this time, and you're able to enroll in the normal healthcare market place ASAP or get a job w/ an employer who has a benefits plan that's effective on day one. Good luck.
So the stipend for Cobra might be just a few months, but you can stay on it for eighteen months. You can then sign up for healthcare.gov; it is realistic pricing if you choose to be self-employed.
Take full advantage of the 18 months. It is the law.
Yes, you can live off of it long term, no problem. You can do Cobra long term, or do RMAP if eligible once LR'd. Some people who are intelligent enough to have invested enough over the years at Cisco, are now at a point, after getting LR'd, to yes, actually not have to work for a living post Cisco, due to some good investing.
@xat+1wfUGAC3 Medicare is great. My wife is on it, while I'm still on Cisco RMAP. All of her payments, including a United Healthcare supplement, are about $300 total per month, compared to the $1.3k I'm paying for RMAP.
its not meant for you to live on it. stfu and get a new job and move on already.
Folks are in for a rude awakening even with Medicare. You will need additional paid supplements to cover special medications. If you are diagnosed with a late in life condition, and require special medication or treatment, without the supplemental coverage, it can be a royal pain to get approved. Count on budgeting ~$750 a month for a good supplement. No one rides for free, pay up. The American way!
@OP bad things happen when you don’t read your separation package. Your Cisco benefits ended on your last day, then you have to sign up for COBRA through a 3rd party, and pay the premiums for up to 18 months for coverage. Cisco pays for certain numbers of COBRA expenses, used to be six months, now four months, I believe. The good thing is it’s continuation of same policy, so any deductions and co-pay still count. Trust me Cisco benefits are best of the breed until the time you try others and know how expensive these are. Life will continue for everyone, knowing how to best manage and navigate is super important. Good luck everyone. Race to age 65, when Medicare kicks in.
Cisco doesn’t manage COBRA, it’s managed through a 3rd party administrator
When I was LRd, the company paid me a lump sum severance which included six months of COBRA payments & I had to sign up for COBRA, it wasn't automatic enrollment. Not sure if the most recent package has changed or how the company is debiting your account since you're no longer an employee.(?)