Under COBRA, a dependent child who loses group health coverage because of reaching the plan's maximum dependent age may continue that coverage for up to:

Why A is correct

COBRA continuation periods differ by qualifying event. Loss of coverage because a dependent child reaches the plan's maximum dependent age is a distinct qualifying event that entitles the dependent to up to 36 months of continuation coverage — longer than the 18 months allowed for loss of coverage due to termination of employment or reduction of hours. The extended period recognizes that an aging-out dependent is typically transitioning to adult coverage and needs additional time to secure it. The 36-month figure makes A the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) 18 months is the COBRA period for loss of coverage caused by termination of employment or reduction of hours, not for a dependent aging out of the plan. The 18-month period attaches to employment-termination qualifying events, not dependent aging.
• C) 6 months is not a standard COBRA continuation period under the federal rules for any qualifying event. Six months appears nowhere in the federal COBRA continuation schedule.
• D) 12 weeks relates to FMLA family and medical leave protections, which are unpaid job-protection rights, not COBRA continuation coverage periods. FMLA's 12 weeks concerns job protection during leave, a different statute and a different purpose.

Memory hook

Aging out buys 36 months; getting fired buys 18. The kid's runway is twice as long as the ex-employee's.