Which scenario makes a child a qualified beneficiary under COBRA?

• A. The child is born to a covered employee while the employee is on COBRA.
• B. The child is adopted by someone not on COBRA.
• C. The child turns 26.
• D. The child is a dependent on a separate plan.

Answer: (A)

A child born to a covered employee during the period of COBRA continuation coverage becomes a qualified beneficiary because the birth occurs while COBRA is in effect, making that newborn a dependent of the employee who is eligible for continuation coverage under the plan. The COBRA rules are designed to extend coverage to new dependents born or placed for adoption during the continuation period, so this scenario automatically creates the right to continued coverage for the child.

Adoption by someone not on COBRA wouldn’t trigger a new qualified beneficiary status under this plan, since the event must involve the covered employee and occur during the COBRA period. Turning 26 typically ends COBRA coverage for a dependent rather than creating a new qualified beneficiary. And a child who is only a dependent on a separate plan isn’t a qualified beneficiary of this COBRA plan unless they’re also a dependent under this plan.