COBRA lets a departing US employee stay on your group health plan at their own cost. Few other countries have an equivalent, because public health systems carry the cover instead.
COBRA in the United States
COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees that offer a group health plan. Cover continues for 18 months after termination, or 36 months for events such as divorce or the employee's death. The employee pays the full premium plus up to 2 percent and has 60 days to elect. State mini-COBRA laws extend similar rights to employees of smaller firms.
Equivalents elsewhere
In countries with statutory health systems, public cover continues on its own. Employer-funded top-up cover, such as private medical insurance or a French mutuelle, ends on the termination date unless the contract, the policy or a conversion right provides otherwise.
What to build in
The employment contract states the end date of each insured benefit. At termination, notify the insurer and confirm the date and any conversion deadline in the full and final settlement.