(a) The continuation coverage provided pursuant to this article shall terminate at the first to occur of the following:
(1) In the case of a qualified beneficiary who is eligible for continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 1366.21, the date 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary’s benefits under the contract would otherwise have terminated because of a qualifying event.
(2) Except as provided in Section 3001 of ARRA, the end of the period for which premium payments were made, if the qualified beneficiary ceases to make payments or fails to make timely payments of a required premium, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the plan contract. In the case of nonpayment of premiums, reinstatement shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the plan contract and by Section 3001 of ARRA, if applicable.
(3) In the case of a qualified beneficiary who is eligible for continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (1), (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (d) of Section 1366.21, the date 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary’s benefits under the contract would otherwise have terminated by reason of a qualifying event.
(4) The requirements of this article no longer apply to the qualified beneficiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 1366.22.
(5) In the case of a qualified beneficiary who is eligible for continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 1366.21, and determined, under Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act, to be disabled at any time during the first 60 days of continuation coverage, and the spouse or dependent who has elected coverage pursuant to this article, the date 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary’s benefits under the contract would otherwise have terminated because of a qualifying event. The qualified beneficiary shall notify the plan, or the employer or administrator that contracts to perform administrative services, of the social security determination within 60 days of the date of the determination letter and prior to the end of the original 36-month continuation coverage period in order to be eligible for coverage pursuant to this subdivision. If the qualified beneficiary is no longer disabled under Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act, the benefits provided in this paragraph shall terminate on the later of the date provided by paragraph (1), or the month that begins more than 31 days after the date of the final determination under Title II or Title XVI of the United States Social Security Act that the qualified beneficiary is no longer disabled. A qualified beneficiary eligible for 36 months of continuation coverage as a result of a disability shall notify the plan, or the employer or administrator that contracts to perform the notice and administrative services, within 30 days of a determination that the qualified beneficiary is no longer disabled.
(6) In the case of a qualified beneficiary who is initially eligible for and elects continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 1366.21, but who has another qualifying event, as described in paragraph (1), (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (d) of Section 1366.21, within 36 months of the date of the first qualifying event, and the qualified beneficiary has notified the plan, or the employer or administrator under contract to provide administrative services, of the second qualifying event within 60 days of the date of the second qualifying event, the date 36 months after the date of the first qualifying event.
(7) The employer, or any successor employer or purchaser of the employer, ceases to provide any group benefit plan to his or her employees.
(8) The qualified beneficiary moves out of the plan’s service area or the qualified beneficiary commits fraud or deception in the use of plan services.
(b) If the group contract between the plan and the employer is terminated prior to the date the qualified beneficiary’s continuation coverage would terminate pursuant to this section, coverage under the prior plan shall terminate and the qualified beneficiary may elect continuation coverage under the subsequent group benefit plan, if any, pursuant to the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 1366.23 and subdivision (c) of Section 1366.24.
(c) The amendments made to this section by Assembly Bill 1401 of the 2001–02 Regular Session shall apply to individuals who begin receiving continuation coverage under this article on or after January 1, 2003.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 24, Sec. 4. (SB 838) Effective June 3, 2010.)