State RegulationsNC specificDifficulty 2/5
A Greensboro employee's group major medical coverage terminates because her employment ends. Under North Carolina's group continuation statute, for how long may she elect to continue that coverage?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why B is correct
Under G.S. 58-53-35(a)(1), an employee or member whose group hospital, surgical, or major medical coverage ends because employment or membership terminates may elect to continue the coverage for up to 18 months. North Carolina's continuation law has only this single 18-month tier; there is no longer disability- or divorce-based extension under the state statute.
Why the other options are wrong
- A) 29 months is a federal COBRA extension figure; North Carolina's own continuation statute provides only the 18-month tier under G.S. 58-53-35(a)(1).
- C) 36 months is likewise a federal COBRA figure and is not part of North Carolina's continuation law.
- D) 12 months understates the statutory period and instead matches the A&H preexisting-condition exclusion cap under G.S. 58-51-15(a)(2)b.
Memory hook
NC continuation: one tier only, 18 months; 29 and 36 belong to COBRA.