A dependent child loses eligibility under a parent's employer group plan upon turning 26. Under federal COBRA, the child may continue group coverage for up to:

Why A is correct

When a dependent loses eligibility for group coverage because of the loss of dependent status — such as turning 26, when coverage under the parent's policy must end — that event is a COBRA qualifying event for the dependent. The dependent is entitled to continuation coverage for 36 months. This is the federal COBRA 'aging out' rule tested alongside the ACA's coverage-to-age-26 requirement: the ACA protects dependent coverage until 26, and COBRA then allows the young adult to continue the group coverage for 36 months by paying the premium.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) 18 months is the standard continuation period for the employee's own loss of coverage after termination of employment, not the dependent aging-out period. It applies to the dependent's own loss of dependent status.
• C) 12 months matches no standard COBRA continuation duration. The 12-month figure matches no standard COBRA continuation duration for any qualifying event whatsoever under the federal COBRA continuation rules themselves.
• D) 6 months is not a COBRA continuation period. A 6-month period is not a COBRA continuation period; the standard COBRA periods are 18 months and 36 months instead of 6.

Memory hook

Age 26 ends the parent's policy, and COBRA hands the young adult 36 months to keep the coverage on their own dime.