Which entities can serve as the COBRA plan administrator?

• A. The employer or a third-party administrator
• B. The insurer
• C. A government agency
• D. The employee's spouse

Answer: (A)

Under COBRA, the plan administrator is the person or entity designated to run the group health plan and handle COBRA-specific tasks like notices, eligibility determinations, and premium collections. The employer or a third-party administrator commonly fills this role, since they have the authority and systems to manage the plan and ensure COBRA compliance. An insurer typically handles benefit payments, not administration, unless the plan documents specifically designate the insurer as administrator. A government agency does not administer private employer plans, and a spouse would not have the authority to run the plan. So the best answer is that the employer or a third-party administrator can serve as the COBRA plan administrator.