Which of the following is a COBRA qualifying event?

• A. Change of address
• B. Completion of training
• C. Failure to return from FMLA leave
• D. Change of name

Answer: (C)

COBRA continuation rights arise when a change in employment or family status results in loss of group health plan coverage. A qualifying event includes situations that end coverage, such as termination of employment (not for gross misconduct), a reduction in hours, the employee’s death, divorce or legal separation, or a dependent losing eligibility. An important, less obvious example is when an employee on FMLA leave fails to return to work after the leave ends; this effectively ends coverage and creates a COBRA qualifying event, allowing the employee and covered dependents to elect continuation coverage for a limited period. The other scenarios listed—change of address, completion of training, or change of name—do not affect eligibility for or continuation of the health plan, so they do not trigger COBRA rights.