Co-ordination of Benefits (COB)

A method of integrating benefits payable under more than one group health/dental plan so that the insured’s benefits from all sources do not exceed 100% of the incurred expense. This provision identifies which insurer is the first and second benefits payer. This ensures that if the spouse also had group insurance coverage, a family member’s claim is first submitted to the correct insurance company. Claims for employees are first submitted to the plan which covers the person as an employee. Claims for dependent children are submitted to the insurance company of the parent with the earlier birth date (month/day) in the calendar year. If both parents have the same birth date then claims are submitted to the plan of the parent whose first name begins with the earlier letter in the alphabet.