Which qualifying event for COBRA has a maximum coverage of 18 months

Employee termination
Going on Medicare
Employee death
Employee divorce

Employee termination

The qualifying event for COBRA that has a maximum coverage of 18 months is employee termination.

The qualifying event for COBRA that has a maximum coverage of 18 months is employee termination. When an employee is terminated from their job, they may be eligible to continue their health insurance coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). COBRA allows individuals to keep their employer-sponsored health insurance for a limited period of time after certain qualifying events, such as termination.

To determine the duration of COBRA coverage, you typically start with the date of the qualifying event, which in this case is employee termination. From that date, you can count up to 18 months to determine the maximum coverage period. During this time, the individual will be able to maintain the same health insurance coverage they had while employed, although they will typically need to pay the full premium themselves, including the portion previously covered by the employer.

It's important to note that other qualifying events such as going on Medicare, employee death, or employee divorce may also lead to COBRA eligibility, but the duration of coverage in those cases can vary. For example, going on Medicare may result in a shorter COBRA coverage period, while employee death or divorce can potentially extend the coverage period beyond 18 months for certain qualified beneficiaries. Therefore, it's always best to consult the specific COBRA guidelines or reach out to the employer's benefits administrator to determine the appropriate duration of COBRA coverage based on the qualifying event.