Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA)

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 expands returning veterans' rights, including rights to health care benefits. The act prohibits the denial and initial employment, reemployment, retention in employment, promotion, or any benefit of employment by an employer against any member of the uniformed services, including employed individuals who are called back to active duty.

Any person reemployed after uniformed service is entitled to all seniority and other rights and benefits, including medical insurance coverage, that would have been available if the employment had not been interrupted by uniformed service. The veteran's reemployment rights are effective unless the cumulative length of the current absence, plus any previous absences, exceed five years. Employers must provide COBRA health benefit continuation coverage for up to 18 months for employees who are absent from work to serve in the uniformed services.