How does becoming eligible for Medicare affect COBRA?

• A. COBRA continues indefinitely.
• B. COBRA generally ends when Medicare coverage begins.
• C. COBRA premium doubles when Medicare starts.
• D. COBRA rights convert to Medicare coverage automatically.

Answer: (B)

COBRA is a way to keep your employer-sponsored health coverage after a qualifying event, but it isn’t meant to continue indefinitely. When you become eligible for Medicare, your employer’s plan typically ends your COBRA coverage because Medicare becomes your primary source of coverage. The transition generally takes effect on the date Medicare starts, so COBRA ends for the person who becomes Medicare-eligible. This avoids duplicative coverage and aligns with how benefits are coordinated. Dependents can sometimes continue under COBRA if they’re still eligible, but the individual who qualifies for Medicare usually no longer has COBRA. That’s why this option—that COBRA ends when Medicare coverage begins—best captures the relationship between the two programs.