1. Under Rhode Island's extended medical benefits law, an employee who loses group coverage because of an involuntary layoff may continue it for up to:

18 months, but not longer than the prior continuous employment

Section 27-19.1-1(a) allows continuation for up to eighteen months, not exceeding the period of continuous employment with the employer or until the person becomes eligible under another group plan.

2. A laid-off Rhode Island employee eligible for state extended medical benefits must elect continuation within:

30 days after qualifying

Section 27-19.1-1(c) allows the member and covered dependents to elect continued participation within thirty days after qualifying.

3. Under Rhode Island's extended medical benefits law, a laid-off member who was covered under a group plan of 50 or fewer members pays the monthly premium:

Directly to the carrier or the plan's agent or producer

Section 27-19.1-1(c) requires those leaving groups of fifty or fewer to pay the carrier, or the plan's agent or producer; those leaving larger groups pay the employer, unless the workplace has closed.

4. When Rhode Island extended medical benefits run out, the former member and covered dependents:

May exercise any conversion option in the group plan

Section 27-19.1-1(e) entitles them, at the end of the extended period, to exercise any option provided in the group plan to elect a converted policy.