Sigh. This isn't your fault. But COBRA is retroactive. EG. You have 60 days to find new insurance with a new employer. So you don't have to ever pay for COBRA. IF / when something happens - you pay all the missed bills and you are covered. That is the entire point of COBRA. People paying for COBRA are using it wrong or can't find employment in 60 days.
Not technically true when I used it last. I did have to pay for it.
"Employers may require individuals to pay for COBRA continuation coverage. Premiums cannot exceed the full cost of coverage, plus a 2 percent administration charge."
But yes, the American Rescue Plan act allocated funds to make COBRA free. I wouldn't doubt that I was using cobra wrong at the time either prior to the passage of the act.
Small pdf warning:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https:/...
