COBRA coverage failed and now your medical bills are denied? Understand what determines reinstatement and whether claims can be reimbursed.

COBRA coverage is designed to be retroactive, but in practice it often fails. Many people elect and pay for COBRA on time, only to see their coverage marked inactive, terminated, or reversed months later. These breakdowns are rarely caused by missed deadlines and more often stem from administrative errors, notice issues, or system mismatches between employers, administrators, and insurers. Understanding why this happens is the first step toward fixing it.