Medical Expense✓ Verified · outline & fact-checked · Sep 2026Difficulty 1/5
Which event is a COBRA qualifying event that allows an employee to continue group health coverage?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
COBRA gives employees and their dependents the right to continue group health coverage after a qualifying event. Termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, and reduction of hours below the plan's eligibility threshold, are the most common qualifying events for the employee. Gross misconduct is the exception that disqualifies the employee from continuation coverage. COBRA applies to group health plans of employers with 20 or more employees, and continuation coverage for these events generally lasts up to 18 months.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) A salary increase is not a loss of coverage and therefore is not a COBRA qualifying event.
- C) A promotion does not terminate the employee's group coverage, so no continuation right is triggered.
- D) Declining a voluntary benefit such as dental coverage is a personal choice, not a qualifying event under COBRA.
Memory hook
COBRA triggers on losing coverage, not on good news. Termination and hour cuts are the classic events.