What is the duration of continued group coverage under COBRA for terminated employees?

Continued group coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for terminated employees typically lasts for 18 months. This legislation is designed to provide temporary health insurance to employees and their families who may otherwise lose their health coverage due to job loss, reduction in working hours, or other qualifying events.

The 18-month period starts from the date of the qualifying event, such as termination of employment (except for gross misconduct) or reduction in hours. During this time, individuals can continue to receive the same group health insurance benefits they had while employed, which can be critical for ensuring continuity of care and access to necessary medical services.

It's noteworthy that there are circumstances under which the coverage can be extended beyond 18 months for certain qualifying events, but for the majority of terminated employees, the standard duration of COBRA coverage is indeed 18 months.