If you are enrolled in the Medical or Dental Plan on your Termination Date, you will be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage at no cost to you, for a period equal to three (3) weeks for each completed year of service, provided that there is a minimum free coverage period of 20 weeks, and a maximum free coverage period of 52 weeks. Your free COBRA coverage period is 24 weeks. Additionally, if your free COBRA continuation coverage period extends only partially into a month, your COBRA continuation coverage will be at no cost for that entire month. After your free COBRA continuation coverage ends, you may be eligible to continue coverage at the rates that apply to terminated employees. Generally, the maximum COBRA continuation coverage period is 18 months. The free COBRA continuation coverage period counts toward this 18-month limit. COBRA continuation coverage is not automatic; to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, including the initial period during which coverage is provided at no cost to you, you must first make a timely election of COBRA coverage. You make a timely election by completing and returning the COBRA election form that will be sent to you by the Ashland Benefits Service Center. If you have any questions, please contact the Ashland Benefits Service Center at ​ (Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm EST).

Provided that you elect and remain eligible for COBRA continuation coverage under the Company's Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance programs, such continuation coverage will be provided on a Company-paid basis for you (and your eligible dependents) for a period of 12 months from the date of your termination. Thereafter, any further COBRA continuation coverage for you (and your eligible dependents) will be provided at the normal COBRA cost.

If you elect COBRA Continuation Coverage, you shall continue to participate in all medical, dental and vision insurance plans you were participating in on the termination date, and the Corporation shall pay the entire applicable premium. During the COBRA Continuation Period, you shall be entitled to benefits on substantially the same basis and cost as would have otherwise been provided had you not separated from service. To the extent that such benefits are available under the above-referenced benefit plans and you had such coverage immediately prior to termination of employment, such continuation of benefits for you shall also cover your dependents for so long as you are receiving benefits under this Section 5. The COBRA Continuation Period for medical and dental insurance under this Section 5(i) shall be deemed to run concurrent with the continuation period federally mandated by COBRA (generally 18 months), or any other legally mandated and applicable federal, state, or local coverage period for benefits provided to terminated employees under the health care plan. For purposes of this Agreement, # “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and # “COBRA Continuation Period” shall mean the continuation period for medical and dental insurance to be provided under the terms of this Agreement which shall commence on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the date of your termination falls and generally shall continue for an 18 month period.