U.S. Department of Labor
Health Benefits Advisor for Employers
Glossary
Second Qualifying Event
Certain events may entitle a qualified beneficiary who is receiving an 18-month maximum period of COBRA coverage to an 18-month extension of COBRA coverage (for a total maximum period of 36 months of COBRA coverage). These events are: the death of the covered employee; the divorce or legal separation of the covered employee and spouse; the covered employee's becoming entitled to Medicare (Medicare entitlement of a covered employee is not a second qualifying event for a qualified beneficiary unless the Medicare entitlement would have resulted in a loss of coverage under the plan for the qualified beneficiary.); or a loss of dependent child status under the plan. The second event can be a second qualifying event only if it would have caused the qualified beneficiary to lose coverage under the plan in the absence of the first qualifying event.
