Medical Expense✓ Verified · outline & fact-checked · Sep 2026Difficulty 2/5
Under COBRA, a dependent loses eligibility for a parent's group health plan because the dependent turns 26 and 'ages out.' For how long may the dependent continue coverage under COBRA?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
COBRA provides two main continuation durations. Termination of employment or reduction of hours triggers 18 months of continuation coverage. Other qualifying events — including a dependent child losing eligibility under the parent's plan, for example by aging out of dependent coverage — allow up to 36 months of continuation. Because the dependent's loss of coverage is caused by loss of dependent status rather than the employee's job loss, the longer 36-month period applies. The 18 vs. 36 month distinction is a high-yield COBRA fact tested under AH-III.C.6.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) 18 months is the COBRA period for termination of employment or reduction of hours, not for a dependent losing eligibility by aging out.
- C) No qualifying event produces a 12-month COBRA continuation period.
- D) Aging out of dependent coverage is a recognized COBRA qualifying event, so continuation rights are available rather than immediate cutoff.
Memory hook
Lose your job = 18 months. Age out of mom's plan = 36 months. Dependents get the longer window.