Similar to COBRA, Reliant offers continuation of benefits to employees, their spouses, former spouses, and dependent children when coverage would otherwise be lost due to certain specific events. This page serves a FAQ of the continuance coverage offered by Reliant. 

FAQ


Reliant employees (along with dependents they cover on their existing medical plan with Reliant) are eligible for continuance coverage on Reliant's medical plans under the following circumstances:

  • The employee lost benefits eligibility due to a reduction in hours 
  • The employee exited employment with Reliant.
  • The Reliant employee/former employee must obtain continuance coverage for themselves to be eligible to keep coverage for dependents. 

Spouses (and dependents) of Reliant employees covered on Reliant's medical insurance plan are eligible for continuance coverage on Reliant's medical plans under the following circumstances:

  • The Reliant employee lost benefits eligibility due to a reduction in hours or exited employment with Reliant (in this case the Reliant employee/previous employee must also be covered)
  • The Reliant employee becomes eligible for Medicare coverage (due to turning age 65 or another qualifying reason)
  • In the event of the death of a Reliant employee
  • In the event of divorce or legal separation from the Reliant covered employee


Yes, when switching to continuance coverage, there is an option to change your covered individuals. You can remove dependents, but you cannot add anyone who wasn't previously on the plan. 


The cost of the continuance coverage is the premium cost for the selected medical plan. There are no additional fees charged by Reliant. 


Reliant needs to receive the check for the 1st month of continuance coverage as well as the continuance coverage enrollment paperwork no later than 45 days after the date in which the Reliant employee lost benefits eligibility with Reliant. In most cases it is preferable to make a decision about coverage well before that date, in order to provide seamless medical coverage for the employee and if applicable, the employee's dependents.


Reliant employees covered on Reliant's International medical insurance plan through Aetna are eligible for continuance coverage on Reliant's medical plans for a maximum of 18 months.

Dependents of Reliant employees covered on Reliant's medical insurance plan are eligible for continuance coverage on Reliant's medical plans for the following periods of time:

18 months of continuance coverage:

  • In the case of the Reliant employee losing benefits eligibility due to a reduction in hours or exited employment with Reliant, dependents have a maximum continuance period of 18 months
  • In the case of the Reliant employee becoming eligible for Medicare coverage (due to turning age 65 or another qualifying reason), dependents have a maximum continuance period of 18 months
  • In the event of the death of a Reliant employee dependents typically have a maximum continuance period of 18 months 


The initial check for continuance coverage must be received within 45 days of when the employee's benefits eligibility with Reliant ended. The ongoing checks for Continuance coverage must be received by Reliant by the 20th of the month for which the coverage is being paid. In most cases (unless previous arrangements have been made) if the check for continuance coverage is not received by the last business day of the month for which coverage was provided, Reliant will cancel the coverage.  


Yes, you can cancel continuance coverage at any time by emailing us at benefits@reliant.org  informing us of the last day you (or any applicable dependents) are to be covered. Requests to cancel continuation coverage require a minimum of 5 business days to be processed and cannot be made retroactive.


Yes, during Reliant's annual Open Enrollment period  (Mid October-Mid-November) , there is an option to change the covered individuals (adding and dropping dependents etc.) on your plan.