Which events count as qualifying events for a spouse or dependent under COBRA?

• A. Only the employee's termination.
• B. The same employee-qualifying events plus death of the employee, divorce or legal separation, the employee becoming eligible for Medicare, or the dependent ceasing to be a dependent.
• C. Only death of employee.
• D. Only dependent changes status.

Answer: (B)

Under COBRA, a spouse or dependent can elect continuation coverage whenever a qualifying event occurs that would cause them to lose coverage. The key idea is that qualifying events for a spouse or dependent include not only the employee’s own events but also events that affect the family status.

The employee’s own qualifying events typically include termination of employment (for any reason other than gross misconduct) and a reduction in work hours. Those events trigger the right to elect COBRA for the employee and also for the employee’s spouse or dependent because they may lose coverage as a result of the employee’s status.

In addition, several events that happen to the employee specifically also count as qualifying events for a spouse or dependent: the death of the employee, divorce or legal separation, the employee becoming eligible for Medicare, or the dependent ceasing to be a dependent. These events change the family’s eligibility for coverage, so they allow the spouse or dependent to elect COBRA.

So the best answer includes both the employee-qualifying events and these family-related events, capturing the full scope of situations where a spouse or dependent may maintain coverage through COBRA. The other options are too narrow, listing only one type of event and omitting the broader range of qualifying events that affect spouses or dependents.