Absolutely! Medicare entitlement and election are important factors when determining COBRA eligibility and duration. Here’s how…

Absolutely!  Medicare entitlement and election are important factors when determining COBRA eligibility and duration.  Here’s how….

…Medicare entitlement and election affect eligibility:

If your covered employee’s Medicare election causes a loss of coverage for his spouse/dependents, those dependents are eligible for COBRA continuation of coverage.

…Medicare entitlement and election affect duration:

Loss of coverage due to Medicare entitlement and election by the employee, entitles his spouse/dependents to a maximum COBRA period of 36 months from the employee’s Medicare entitlement date. 

Remember–when calculating the duration of COBRA if Medicare entitlement is the qualifying event, the Medicare entitlement date is an important key.

For more information, please visit this DOL page: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/ebsa/health/68.asp