Definition of a COBRA Qualifying Event

Qualifying events are those events that would cause someone to lose health coverage and the type of qualify event will define who the qualified beneficiaries are and how long the health plan will have to offer coverage. If one of those events occurs below (such as reduction of hours) doesn’t result in the loss of health coverage, then technically it’s not a qualifying event (but at that point the distinction wouldn’t matter because the employee wouldn’t need COBRA since he or she would still be covered by his or her employer’s health plan).

As an employee, there are two types of qualifying events where COBRA would apply:

  1. Termination (of employment) for any reason except gross misconduct.
  2. Reduction in work hours.

As the spouse of an employee, there are five types of qualifying events where COBRA would apply:

  1. Termination of the covered employee’s employment for any reason except gross misconduct.
  2. Reduction work hours by the covered employee.
  3. Covered employee becoming covered by Medicare.
  4. Divoce or legal separation.
  5. Death of covered employee.

As the dependent children of an employee, there is only one qualify event where COBRA would apply:

  1. Loss of dependent child status.

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