If the employee becomes entitled to Medicare, this is a qualifying event for which group?

• A. Spouse
• B. Employee
• C. Dependent child
• D. None

Answer: (A)

When a qualifying event occurs under COBRA, certain family members can elect to continue coverage after they would otherwise lose it. If the employee becomes entitled to Medicare, the employer’s group health plan usually ends for that employee. That loss of coverage for the employee triggers COBRA rights for the spouse (and dependent children), allowing them to elect continuation coverage. So this event is a qualifying event for the spouse, enabling the spouse to maintain coverage under COBRA even though the employee’s plan coverage ends due to Medicare entitlement. The employee’s own COBRA option typically ends once they’re Medicare-eligible, which is why the focus for this event is on the spouse.