- qualifying event
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qualifying event n: an event or condition (as a terminal illness) that permits an acceleration or continuation of benefits or coverage; esp: an event involving an employee covered by a group health insurance plan that would result in a termination of coverage for the employee or a qualified beneficiary if not for federal provisions for the continuation of such coverage (as for six months)◇ Qualifying events for continuation of group health insurance coverage include the death, divorce, or legal separation of the employee, termination from employment for a reason other than gross misconduct, reduction in working hours, and the change in status of a child who ceases to be classified as a dependent under the terms of the plan. An employee is entitled to notice of the right to continuation after a qualifying event occurs.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
- qualifying event
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USAAn event that entitles a qualified beneficiary to elect continued health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). To constitute a qualifying event, the qualified beneficiary must lose coverage under the group health plan as a result of the event. Examples of qualifying events include:• Termination of employment.• Death.• Divorce.
Practical Law Dictionary. Glossary of UK, US and international legal terms. www.practicallaw.com. 2010.
