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Division of Insurance - COBRA
What are Qualifying Events?
Qualifying events are certain events that would cause an individual to lose health coverage. The type of qualifying event will determine who the qualified beneficiaries are and the amount of time a plan must offer the health coverage to them under COBRA. A plan, at its discretion, may provide longer periods of continuation coverage.
Qualifying Events for Employees
- Voluntary or involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct.
- Reduction in the number of hours of employment.
Qualifying Events for Spouses
- Voluntary or involuntary termination of the covered employee's employment for any reason other than gross misconduct.
- Reduction in the hours worked by the covered employee.
- Covered employee becomes entitled to Medicare.
- Divorce or legal separation of the covered employee and spouse.
- Death of the covered employee.
Qualifying Events for Dependent Children
- Loss of dependent child status under the plan rules. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), plans that offer coverage to children on their parents' plan must make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26.
- Voluntary or involuntary termination of the covered employee's employment for any reason other than gross misconduct.
- Reduction in the hours worked by the covered employee.
- Covered employee becomes entitled to Medicare.
- Divorce or legal separation of the covered employee and spouse.
- Death of the covered employee.
Return to COBRA frequently asked questions
**Resources used and quoted information for this webpage obtained from the FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage and An Employer's Guide to Group Health Continuation Coverage Under COBRA as issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).
If you still have questions on COBRA: