• Learn about how COBRA benefits can provide you with health insurance when your spouse dies.healthcare concept image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which allows workers who have lost health insurance benefits from work to continue health insurance coverage through a government sponsored program. These benefits provide temporary insurance until you can obtain new insurance through an employer or through an individual policy. If your spouse dies, however, you will naturally lose your group health insurance plan. If you're covered under your spouse's plan, you will be eligible to receive COBRA benefits along with your children, if you have any.
  
  

Keep the Same Coverage

• COBRA allows you to keep health insurance benefits from a group health insurance plan that your spouse was part of. This means that if your spouse had group health insurance, you can keep the same coverage under COBRA if your spouse passes away. These benefits will extend to your children, if any, and will allow them to receive the same benefits that they were receiving under your spouse's group health plan. In other words, your coverage will essentially be the same as before.
  
  

COBRA Termination

• COBRA benefits are temporary. You generally can keep your health benefits for a maximum of 18 months unless your spouse's employer ceases to carry a group health plan. If you obtain new insurance through an individual or group plan, your COBRA coverage will also end. Your out-of-pocket costs may be more than what you can afford since premiums were being paid by your spouse.
  
  

Exclusion Period

• No exclusion period exists for COBRA benefits which means if you are sick or need medical care for an existing condition, you're covered.