Welcome to the Employer Help Center

COBRA Qualifying Events

What specific events (“triggering events”) can be Qualifying Events?  

  • Death of the covered employee;
  • Voluntary or involuntary termination of the covered employee’s employment other than by reason of gross misconduct (note that a retirement is considered a termination of employment);
  • Reduction in hours of the covered employee’s employment, causing a loss of benefits;
  • Divorce or legal separation from the covered employee (employee’s spouse);
  • Dependent child ceasing to be a dependent child under the generally applicable requirements of the plan; 
  • USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act) - Active military duty;
  • An employer’s bankruptcy, but only with respect to health coverage for retirees and their families.