Leaving BP

COBRA Coverage

When you leave BP, you may be eligible to continue participating in the HCSA under the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). COBRA allows you to elect a temporary continuation of HCSA participation, under certain circumstances, when coverage would otherwise end. There is no continued participation in the DCSA.

Qualifying events

You may elect COBRA coverage if your HCSA participation would otherwise end because you leave BP.

Maximum period of COBRA coverage

HCSA participation through COBRA can continue until the end of the plan year only.

Electing COBRA coverage

On your termination of employment, the BP Benefits Center will automatically mail COBRA enrollment materials to you. You must contact the BP Benefits Center to elect COBRA within 60 days of your termination date or the date the COBRA notice is sent by the BP Benefits Center, whichever is later. Notify the BP Benefits Center if the COBRA materials are not received in a timely manner.

Even if you do not continue participating in the HCSA, eligible health care expenses you incur through the last month you were participating will be reimbursed, as long as you file a claim form for these expenses with Aetna, and the claim form is faxed or postmarked by June 30 of the following plan year.

Paying for COBRA coverage

If you wish to continue participating in the HCSA through COBRA, COBRA premiums are due monthly and must be paid on an after-tax basis. If you elect COBRA coverage, the BP Benefits Center will send a monthly bill to you. You will have 45 days from the date of the election to make the first payment. All future payments will be due in full on the fifth of each month, with a 30-day grace period.

End of COBRA coverage

Your HCSA participation through COBRA will end before the end of the plan year on the earlier of:

• The last day of the month in which your last contribution was made within the required time period.
• The date BP stops providing group health benefits.