(a) In general For purposes of this part—
(1) Election period The term “election period” means the period which—
(A) begins not later than the date on which coverage terminates under the plan by reason of a qualifying event,
(B) is of at least 60 days’ duration, and
(C) ends not earlier than 60 days after the later of—
(i) the date described in subparagraph (A), or
(ii) in the case of any qualified beneficiary who receives notice under
section 1166(4) 1 of this title, the date of such notice.
(2) Effect of election on other beneficiaries Except as otherwise specified in an election, any election of continuation coverage by a qualified beneficiary described in subparagraph (A)(i) or (B) of
section 1167(3) of this title shall be deemed to include an election of continuation coverage on behalf of any other qualified beneficiary who would lose coverage under the plan by reason of the qualifying event. If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.
(b) Temporary extension of COBRA election period for certain individuals
(1) In general In the case of a nonelecting TAA-eligible individual and notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, such individual may elect continuation coverage under this part during the 60-day period that begins on the first day of the month in which the individual becomes a TAA-eligible individual, but only if such election is made not later than 6 months after the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage.
(2) Commencement of coverage; no reach-back Any continuation coverage elected by a TAA-eligible individual under paragraph (1) shall commence at the beginning of the 60-day election period described in such paragraph and shall not include any period prior to such 60-day election period.
(3) Preexisting conditions With respect to an individual who elects continuation coverage pursuant to paragraph (1), the period—
(A) beginning on the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage, and
(B) ending on the first day of the 60-day election period described in paragraph (1),
(4) Definitions For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Nonelecting taa-eligible individual The term “nonelecting TAA-eligible individual” means a TAA-eligible individual who—
(i) has a TAA-related loss of coverage; and
(ii) did not elect continuation coverage under this part during the TAA-related election period.
(B) TAA-eligible individual The term “TAA-eligible individual” means—
(ii) an eligible alternative TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section).
(C) TAA-related election period The term “TAA-related election period” means, with respect to a TAA-related loss of coverage, the 60-day election period under this part which is a direct consequence of such loss.
(D) TAA-related loss of coverage The term “TAA-related loss of coverage” means, with respect to an individual whose separation from employment gives rise to being an TAA-eligible individual, the loss of health benefits coverage associated with such separation.
Source credit, amendments & notes
(Pub. L. 93–406, title I, §605, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title X, §10002(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 230; amended Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, §1895(d)(5)(B), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2939; Pub. L. 107–210, div. A, title II, §203(e)(1), Aug. 6, 2002, 116 Stat. 969.)
References in Text
Section 1166(4) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii), was redesignated as section 1166(a)(4) of this title by Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §7891(d)(1)(A)(ii)(I), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2445.
Amendments
2002—Pub. L. 107–210 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).
1986—Par. (2). Pub. L. 99–514 inserted “of continuation coverage” after “any election” and inserted at end “If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.”
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in enactment of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, Pub. L. 99–272, see section 1895(e) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 162 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Construction of 2002 Amendment
Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 107–210, other than provisions relating to COBRA continuation coverage and reporting requirements, to be construed as creating new mandate on any party regarding health insurance coverage, see section 203(f) of Pub. L. 107–210, set out as a note under section 2918 of this title.
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
ERISA § 605 (29 U.S.C. § 1165) — Election · USC 2002 ed., current through 2003-01-06 · https://pensionresource.website/EAMain?content=EAMain.Law&id=usc29-1165&asof=2003-01-06 · printed Oct 16, 2026