How does HIPAA affect COBRA?
HIPAA gives a person already on COBRA specific enrollment provisions to add dependents only if such a person: • acquires a new dependent, or • if an eligible dependent declines coverage because of alternative coverage and • later loses such coverage due to certain qualifying reasons. Spouse or dependents who are added under this paragraph do not become Qualified Beneficiaries and their coverage will end at the same time coverage ends for the person who elected COBRA and later added them.
