COBRA
COBRA with Inspira Financial formerly known as PayFlex
Inspira Financial COBRA benefits are processed with our third-party administrator, Inspira Financial. If you wish to participate in COBRA, you are required to activate coverage and make payments directly with Inspira Financial. COBRA packets are mailed to your home on file via US Postal Services closer to your termination date. There is a 60-day deadline to elect COBRA continuation coverage from the termination date.
Questions on setting up autopayment or to cancel/terminate coverage, please call Inspira at (888) 678-7835. Representatives are available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm CT. Note, the packet highlights how to access your account online and payment options available to you, or see below.
Your coverage will not be reinstated until Inspira Financial processes your enrollment form and receives proper payment. It takes on average 3-4 business days for processing and another 7-10 days to have coverage reinstated with each carrier (Aetna and Express Scripts).
When do benefits end?
Termination of Employment: A 10-month employee that starts work at the beginning of the school year and terminates service with the employer at the end of that school year, will be entitled to a full year’s coverage comparable to that of any employee paid on a 12-month basis, as long as the following is true: The employee has worked from the beginning of the school year to the last day of school. This means that Newark Board of Education Private Health Benefits coverage for 10-month employees and their dependents will continue during the summer months subsequent to the end of the school year (July and August), provided that any contributions or premiums are made as required by the Newark Board of Education. In this case coverage would end September 1st.
For example, a teacher with a 10-month contract who begins employment at the start of the school year in September and then terminates employment on the last day of school in June will have coverage continue through the months of July and August immediately following the end of that school year. However, a teacher who begins employment after the 15th of September and then terminates employment on the last day of the school in June, coverage will continue through the month of July only. In this scenario coverage would end effective August 1st. If this teacher renews their contract, coverage will be intact for the month of July and August with no break in coverage.
A 12-month employee and a 10-month employee (who does not work the full school) will follow the Timetable for Termination chart.
For FAQs about what happens to your coverage and pension when you separate with the district, please click on the PENSION, HEALTH, AND COMPENSATION FAQs memo below.
Termination Due to Retirement: The employee’s active coverage ends effective the that same date of the retirement and their retirement benefits become effective the date of the retirement. For example, if an employee retires effective July 1, their coverage ends with the Newark Board of Education effective July 1 and their retirement health benefit coverage becomes effective July 1 with the retiree health benefits plan.