Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA)

The federal legislation that requires employer-sponsored group health plans to allow previously covered employees, spouses and dependents who might otherwise lose group health care benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances. COBRA generally applies to group health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year. For more information visit the Department of Labor's web site at www.dol.gov