Questions about COBRA Health Insurance in NY + retired NYS Employee Life Insurance ?

I am a former NYS Government employee who retired this year as a result of an on-the-job ( Workers Comp) injury . I am Disabled & am Wheelchair Bound, but have limited ambulation with a Walker. As a retiree; I am paying a monthly premium of approximately $ 250. for COBRA Health Insurance coverage for my family & myself. I have been informed that my COBRA coverage will be extended for an extra 6 months up to a period of 2 years from my reirement date because I am on Social Security Disability. I have also been informed that I will receive Medicare commencing 2 years from the inception date of my Social Security Benefits. I will receive Medicare 3 months before my COBRA expires-However; I am concerned that the rest of my family will not have Health Insurance coverage after my COBRA expires ?- Can I obtain Heath Insurance coverage for my family either through Medicare or an extension of COBRA after it expires ? - As a retiree,can I retain my NYS Life Insurance indefinitely ? - Thank

They should be able to get an additional 11 month Cobra extension. But the premiums go up to 150%. They cannot get any medicare coverage through you. It may be cheaper to get an individual family policy-you will have to get it sooner or later anyway. Cobra is not meant to be long-term. An Independant Agent in your area will be able to offer you a policy that meets your family's medical and financial needs. As far as your life insurance policy, you will have to check with your employer. But generally, as long as the premiums are paid, the policy remains in force.

No, once COBRA expires, that's it - your medicare benefits, because you're on SSDI, won't extend to the family - they'll have to buy private coverage. Start shopping a good three months in advance, I recommend using a local, independent agent.

It's going to cost lots, lots, lots more than you were paying, as it's no longer going to be subsidized by the state taxpayer.