A dependent child who loses eligibility under a parent's group health plan solely because of age 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
When a dependent child loses eligibility under a parent's group health plan because the child exceeds the plan's age limit for dependents — an 'aging out' event — COBRA entitles the child to continue coverage for up to 36 months. This is longer than the 18-month continuation period that applies when a covered employee loses coverage due to termination of employment or reduction in hours. The 36-month dependent extension is a specific COBRA number tested on the A&H exam. The 36-month extension also applies to other dependent qualifying events, such as divorce or legal separation, while 18 months is reserved for the employee's own loss of coverage from termination or reduced hours.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) 18 months is the standard COBRA period for the employee's termination of employment or reduction in hours, not the dependent aging-out event.
- C) Six months matches no COBRA continuation period for a dependent aging-out event.
- D) Twelve months matches no COBRA continuation period; the dependent aging-out extension is 36 months.
Memory hook
Aging out of coverage = 36-month COBRA leash. Losing your job only buys 18; losing your dependent status buys 36.