Does COBRA allow per-beneficiary continuation rather than per-family continuation?

• A. Per-family continuation
• B. Per-qualified-beneficiary with separate elections
• C. Continuation is not allowed for dependents
• D. All beneficiaries must elect together

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that COBRA rights are exercised by individuals, not by the family as a single unit. Each qualified beneficiary—the employee, the spouse, and any dependent child—has the right to elect COBRA coverage on their own, with their own election window and premiums. Because elections are made separately for each person, one family member can choose to elect while another declines, or they can all elect independently.

That’s why the best description is that COBRA uses a per-qualified-beneficiary approach with separate elections. It would not fit to say the whole family must elect together, and it’s incorrect to say dependents aren’t eligible or that continuation isn’t allowed for them.