COBRA & Medicare

[still_one]

6. That is the way they do it. A spouse can be covered up to 18 months on COBRA, while the principal

can not:

"The following are qualifying events for covered employees if they cause the covered employee to lose coverage:

 Termination of the employee's employment for any reason other than gross misconduct;
or  Reduction in the number of hours of employment.


The following are qualifying events for the spouse and dependent child of a covered employee if they cause the spouse or dependent child to lose coverage:

 Termination of the covered employee's employment for any reason other than gross misconduct;
 Reduction in the hours worked by the covered employee;
 Covered employee becomes entitled to Medicare;
 Divorce or legal separation of the spouse from the covered employee;
or  Death of the covered employee.

https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/cobra-continuation-health-coverage-consumer.pdf

I know this sounds weird, but your spouse should be covered for up to 18 months even though you aren't

Contact your COBRA administrator, but I am almost certain your spouse is covered as long as you pay the COBRA premiums for Dental. However, you are not