Health-law provisions taking effect next year could save U.S. employers billions of dollars in expenses now paid for workers who continue medical coverage after they leave the company, benefits experts say. Insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act are expected to all but replace COBRA coverage in which ex-employees and dependents can remain on the company plan if they pay the premiums. "As soon as the law was passed, the question among employers and benefits people was: Is there still going to be a reason for COBRA?" said Steve Wojcik, vice president of public policy for the National Business Group on Health, an employer group.
