The national guide covers group underwriting, master contracts and certificates, federal COBRA, coordination of benefits and conversion. Connecticut adds a state continuation law that runs longer than COBRA's basic 18 months, a small-employer definition, and benefit-credit rules for replacing a plan. They are in Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-512a, 38a-546 and 38a-564.

State continuation (38a-512a)

• Length: group health policies must offer 30 months of continuation after layoff, a cut in hours, a leave of absence, or termination for any reason other than gross misconduct.
• Ending at Medicare: continuation ends at midnight on the day before the person becomes eligible for Medicare.
• Illness or injury absence: coverage continues for up to 12 months while the employee is out sick or injured.
• Total disability extension: a person who is totally disabled when the group policy ends keeps coverage for that condition for 12 calendar months after the month the policy ended.

Small employers and plan changes

• Small employer: since January 1, 2025, an employer averaging 1 to 50 employees (38a-564).
• Replacing a group plan: the new plan must credit expenses applied to the old plan's deductible or coinsurance during the 90 days before the change (38a-546).
• Health Reinsurance Association: every insurer, health care center and self-insurer doing business in Connecticut must belong (38a-556).
• Group long-term care: members leaving the group must be offered continuation or conversion, with no evidence of insurability, preexisting-condition limits or waiting periods (Reg. 38a-528-4).

Mandates that apply to group plans

• Newborn enrollment: the policy may require notice and premium within 91 days of birth (38a-516).
• Infertility: the same cycle limits as individual plans (38a-536).
• Alcoholism complications: cirrhosis, GI bleeding, pneumonia and delirium tremens are covered (38a-533).
• Preexisting conditions: no exclusions (38a-476).

Exam traps

• Connecticut continuation lasts 30 months and ends when the person becomes Medicare-eligible.
• Coverage continues 12 months during an illness absence, and 12 months for someone totally disabled when the plan ends.
• Small employer means 1 to 50 employees, effective 2025.