Which statement about COBRA notices is correct?

• A. The general notice is optional.
• B. The general notice must be provided within 90 days of coverage; the election notice within 44 days after a qualifying event.
• C. Both notices must be provided within 10 days.
• D. Only the election notice is required.

Answer: (B)

COBRA requires two separate notices: a general notice about COBRA rights and an election notice explaining how to elect continuation coverage. The general notice must be provided within 90 days after the plan becomes subject to COBRA (or when eligibility for COBRA begins), so people know their rights up front. The election notice must be given within 44 days after a qualifying event occurs, giving the affected individual the information needed to decide whether to elect COBRA and the steps to do so. This combination—general notice within 90 days and election notice within 44 days after a qualifying event—is the correct standard. The general notice isn’t optional, both notices are required, and the timelines are not as short as 10 days.