What Does COBRA Cover?

You may become eligible for COBRA Benefits (along with your spouse and any dependants), through what’s known as a qualifying event. Below, you’ll find a brief list of the circumstances that could terminate your group health plan and are considered qualifying events for COBRA eligibility.

Qualifying events for employees include:

• Reduction in your work hours
• Termination of your employment for any reason other than “gross misconduct”

Qualifying events for your spouse include:

• If you and your spouse divorce or legally separate
• If you become eligible for Medicare Benefits
• If you die while covered by your employee health plan

Don’t forget that the qualifying events for your dependents are the same as those for your spouse, but children can choose their own coverage.

Furthermore, the qualifying events for your beneficiaries are considered special circumstances. To be eligible for coverage, your beneficiaries will have to notify the plan’s administrator within sixty days.