Which statement correctly describes the relationship between federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA?

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA?

• A. Cal-COBRA is a federal program that replaces COBRA.
• B. Cal-COBRA and federal COBRA are unrelated.
• C. Cal-COBRA provides COBRA-like coverage for small California employers not subject to federal COBRA.
• D. Cal-COBRA applies to all employers nationwide.

Answer: (C)

Both federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA revolve around continuing health coverage after a qualifying event, but who must offer that coverage depends on employer size and location. Federal COBRA covers larger employers (typically 20 or more employees) and lets eligible individuals keep their employer-sponsored plan for a limited time. California’s Cal-COBRA is a state-level extension for smaller California employers that aren’t subject to federal COBRA, providing COBRA‑like continuation coverage for those employers and employees. That makes the correct statement the one that Cal-COBRA provides COBRA‑like coverage for small California employers not subject to federal COBRA. It’s not a federal program that replaces COBRA, it isn’t unrelated, and it doesn’t apply nationwide—it's specific to California and to small employers within the state.

Both federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA revolve around continuing health coverage after a qualifying event, but who must offer that coverage depends on employer size and location. Federal COBRA covers larger employers (typically 20 or more employees) and lets eligible individuals keep their employer-sponsored plan for a limited time. California’s Cal-COBRA is a state-level extension for smaller California employers that aren’t subject to federal COBRA, providing COBRA‑like continuation coverage for those employers and employees.

That makes the correct statement the one that Cal-COBRA provides COBRA‑like coverage for small California employers not subject to federal COBRA. It’s not a federal program that replaces COBRA, it isn’t unrelated, and it doesn’t apply nationwide—it's specific to California and to small employers within the state.