Which statement describes the coverage of newborns or newly added dependents under COBRA?

• A. They are automatically covered with no notice
• B. The plan must offer continuation and the enrollee typically must receive a new election notice to cover the newborn or newly added dependent
• C. They are covered only if the plan elects to cover them
• D. The employer must personally approve coverage for the newborn

Answer: (C)

Newborns or newly added dependents create a COBRA qualifying event. When this happens, the plan must offer continuation coverage to the newborn or newly added dependent under the same terms as other dependents who were covered before the event. The enrollee is typically given a new COBRA election notice so the newly added dependent can be enrolled and premiums can be arranged. Coverage isn’t automatic—you must elect continuation within the allowed period. The plan isn’t deciding on a case-by-case basis whether to cover the newborn; it must offer continuation if the plan covers similar dependents. An employer’s personal approval isn’t the mechanism for this process.