If COBRA is elected, how long can coverage continue, including extensions?

If COBRA is elected, how long can coverage continue, including extensions?

• A. Lasts 6 months, with extensions for disability of 6 months.
• B. Lasts 12 months with no extensions.
• C. Continues for 18 months, with extensions: 11 more months for disability and 36 months for divorce or death.
• D. Indefinite coverage.

Answer: (C)

COBRA continuation coverage lasts for a set period after a qualifying event, with possible extensions based on what happens next. The standard baseline is 18 months of coverage after the qualifying event (such as job loss or reduction in hours). If the beneficiary is disabled at the time of election or becomes disabled within 60 days after election, an additional 11 months can be added, bringing the total to 29 months. If a second qualifying event occurs during the initial 18 months—like the death of the covered employee or a divorce—the coverage for the affected dependent can extend further, up to 36 months from the date of the original qualifying event. So the described structure—18 months plus an 11-month disability extension and up to 36 months for divorce or death—matches how COBRA durations work.

COBRA continuation coverage lasts for a set period after a qualifying event, with possible extensions based on what happens next. The standard baseline is 18 months of coverage after the qualifying event (such as job loss or reduction in hours). If the beneficiary is disabled at the time of election or becomes disabled within 60 days after election, an additional 11 months can be added, bringing the total to 29 months. If a second qualifying event occurs during the initial 18 months—like the death of the covered employee or a divorce—the coverage for the affected dependent can extend further, up to 36 months from the date of the original qualifying event. So the described structure—18 months plus an 11-month disability extension and up to 36 months for divorce or death—matches how COBRA durations work.