Which of the following is an example of a qualifying event for employees under COBRA?

• A. The employee's work hours are reduced to a level that would render them ineligible for benefits.
• B. The employee gains an additional part-time job.
• C. The employee's salary increases.
• D. The employee changes departments.

Answer: (A)

Under COBRA, a qualifying event is something that would cause a loss of group health coverage for the employee or their dependents. A reduction in work hours that would render the employee ineligible for benefits directly leads to losing coverage, so it fits the trigger for COBRA continuation. The other scenarios don’t automatically end eligibility: gaining another part-time job doesn’t necessarily drop coverage, a salary increase doesn’t affect eligibility for the employer’s health plan, and changing departments within the same employer typically doesn’t change eligibility status. So the example that best matches a COBRA qualifying event is the reduction in hours that would cause loss of eligibility.