COBRA

On Feb. 17, President Barack Obama signed the economic stimulus package into law, which includes a provision that would subsidize employees' COBRA payments to continue their health insurance coverage. Under it, the government would pay 65% of workers' COBRA premiums for up to 9 months. Eligible employees include anyone who has lost or loses a job between September 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009. To qualify for the subsidy, people must certify that their income is no more than $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for families. Employees who have already been laid off but chose not to sign up for COBRA coverage have 60 days to do so.