Medical Expense✓ Verified · outline & fact-checked · Sep 2026Difficulty 2/5
A dependent child who ages out of a parent's group health plan at age 26 and loses coverage may continue coverage under COBRA for up to:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The Affordable Care Act allows children to remain on a parent's group health plan until age 26. Once a dependent loses eligibility by reaching that age, the loss of coverage is a COBRA qualifying event, and COBRA continuation coverage for the dependent may last up to 36 months. This aging-out extension is a specific exam number in the PPACA objectives, and it is distinct from the 18-month COBRA period that applies to employees who lose coverage due to termination.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) 12 months is not the COBRA maximum for dependent aging-out; the correct figure is 36 months.
- C) 6 months is not a COBRA continuation period at all under the federal rules.
- D) 18 months is the general COBRA period for loss of employment for the employee, not the 36-month period for a dependent who ages out.
Memory hook
Aging out at 26 buys 36 months of COBRA — three years to land coverage of your own.