What are examples of individuals who would qualify for COBRA?

Asked by: Marlen Stehr Jr.  |  Last update: December 24, 2025
Score: 5/5 (53 votes)

A qualified beneficiary is an individual who is entitled to COBRA continuation coverage because he or she was covered by a group health plan on the day before a “qualifying event.” Depending on the circumstances, the following individuals may be qualified beneficiaries: a "covered employee" (a term that includes active ...

What qualifies someone for COBRA?

You must meet three basic requirements to be entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage: Your group health plan must be covered by COBRA; • A qualifying event must occur; and • You must be a qualified beneficiary for that event.

What are COBRA participants?

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees and/or dependents (spouse and children) who are losing their health, dental or vision benefits to continue coverage in certain circumstances where coverage might otherwise end.

What are the 7 COBRA qualifying events?

The seven COBRA qualifying events that allow individuals to maintain their employer-sponsored health insurance include termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, reduction in the number of work hours, divorce or legal separation from the covered employee, the covered employee becoming entitled ...

Which of the following would be a qualifying event as it relates to COBRA?

COBRA coverage follows a "qualifying event". An example of a qualifying event would be if your hours were reduced or you lost your job (as long as there was no gross misconduct).

COBRA Insurance | What You Need to Know

19 related questions found

What are examples of a qualifying event?

Qualifying Life Events
  • Gaining a dependent or becoming a dependent through birth or adoption.
  • Getting married.
  • Applicant or dependent lost minimum essential coverage due to termination or change in employment status.
  • Cessation of an employer's contribution toward an employee or dependents coverage.

Who would not be eligible for COBRA?

Why would an employee not qualify to enroll in Cal-COBRA? The employee is enrolled in or eligible for Medicare. The employee does not enroll within 60 days of receiving the notice of eligibility from the employer. The employee is covered by another health plan.

What is not a qualifying event under COBRA?

A loss of coverage caused by an event not listed as a triggering event will not result in a right to continuation coverage under COBRA. This includes events such as a change in plan eligibility rules, failure to pay plan premiums, or an employee's decision to voluntarily drop coverage.

What is the COBRA loophole?

If you decide to enroll in COBRA health insurance, your coverage will be retroactive, meaning it will apply to any medical bills incurred during the 60-day decision period. This loophole can save you money by avoiding premium payments unless you actually need care during this time.

Am I eligible for a COBRA if I quit?

Whether you quit, get fired or are laid off, you may be able to choose your former employer's health plan under a federal law called COBRA. That stands for Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act. It's available if: You were enrolled in an employer-sponsored medical, dental or vision plan.

What types of employers are exempt from COBRA?

Indemnity policies, PPOs, HMOs, and self-insured plans are all eligible for COBRA extension; however, federal government employee plans and church plans are exempt from COBRA.

What are groups of COBRA?

Answer and Explanation: A group of cobras is called a quiver. This is in addition to the collective names for a group of snakes. These include a nest, a bed, and a knot, among others.

What are the disadvantages of COBRA coverage?

COBRA cons
  • COBRA can be expensive, especially compared to the premiums you were paying before your qualifying event. ...
  • COBRA does not apply to all employer-sponsored health plans—in particular, those organizations with fewer than 20 employees may have no requirements. ...
  • Even if you get an extension, COBRA is only temporary.

How long do I need to work to be eligible for COBRA?

How long do I need to have a job to be eligible for COBRA? You're eligible for COBRA coverage if you were covered under the group health plan the day before your qualifying event. This rule applies to your spouse and covered dependents as well.

What is a COBRA applicant?

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, ...

Can I be denied COBRA?

If the former employee is considered an eligible plan participant, then he or she would be a qualified beneficiary and entitled to COBRA coverage unless the second exception (denial based on gross misconduct) is applied. Under COBRA, a person who has been terminated for gross misconduct may be denied COBRA.

How much does COBRA typically cost per month?

COBRA coverage is not cheap.

A COBRA premium can cost on average $400 to $700 a month per person.

What triggers COBRA coverage?

In general, the COBRA qualifying event must be a termination of employment or a reduction of the covered employee's employment hours. Second, the covered employee must be determined under title II or title XVI of the Social Security Act to be disabled.

What is the 105 day COBRA loophole?

So, if you maxed out the 60 day election period plus the 45 day payment period, you could actually go 105 days without paying for the coverage.

What groups are eligible for COBRA?

Only certain individuals can become qualified beneficiaries due to a qualifying event, and the type of qualifying event determines who can become a qualified beneficiary when it happens. A qualified beneficiary must be a covered employee, the employee's spouse or former spouse, or the employee's dependent child.

Which of the following is considered a qualifying event under?

Examples of qualifying events include marriage, registered domestic partnership, new births, adoptions, or divorce. Enrollments/change requests to a health/vision, dental or FSA plan MUST be submitted within 30 days of the qualifying event date via Employee Online.

Who is not covered under COBRA?

You do not have to offer COBRA coverage to any of the following: an employee who is not yet eligible for your group health plan. an eligible employee who declined to participate in your group health plan. an individual who is enrolled for benefits under Medicare.

Why is COBRA so expensive?

Why is COBRA more expensive than employer-sponsored insurance? COBRA is more expensive because the individual is responsible for the entire premium amount without the employer's financial contribution that is provided during active employment.

Who is not a qualified beneficiary under COBRA?

(e) An individual is not a qualified beneficiary if the individual's status as a covered employee is attributable to a period in which the individual was a nonresident alien who received from the individual's employer no earned income (within the meaning of section 911(d)(2)) that constituted income from sources within ...

What employers are exempt from COBRA?

COBRA also applies to plans sponsored by state and local governments. The law does not apply, however, to plans sponsored by the federal government or by churches and certain church-related organizations.