An event that makes a COBRA qualified beneficiary eligible to elect continued health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). To constitute a qualifying event, the qualified beneficiary must lose coverage under the group health plan as a result of the event. Examples of qualifying events include:

For more information, see Practice Note, COBRA Overview and Standard Document, COBRA Election Notice.

Under federal economic stimulus legislation enacted in March 2021 in response to the US outbreak of COVID-19 (the disease that results from SARS-CoV-2) certain individuals who experience a COBRA qualifying event are temporarily eligible for a 100% COBRA premium subsidy and a health plan enrollment option (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA-21), Pub. L. No. 117-2, § 9501 (Mar. 11, 2021)).