29 USC 1167 - Definitions and special rules

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 11, 2026

§ 1167.

Definitions and special rules

For purposes of this part—

(1)

Group health plan

(2)

Covered employee

(3)

Qualified beneficiary

(A)

In general

The term “qualified beneficiary” means, with respect to a covered employee under a group health plan, any other individual who, on the day before the qualifying event for that employee, is a beneficiary under the plan—

(i)

as the spouse of the covered employee, or

(ii)

as the dependent child of the employee.

Such term shall also include a child who is born to or placed for adoption with the covered employee during the period of continuation coverage under this part.

(B)

Special rule for terminations and reduced employment

(C)

Special rule for retirees and widows

In the case of a qualifying event described in section 1163(6) of this title, the term “qualified beneficiary” includes a covered employee who had retired on or before the date of substantial elimination of coverage and any other individual who, on the day before such qualifying event, is a beneficiary under the plan—

(i)

as the spouse of the covered employee,

(ii)

as the dependent child of the employee, or

(iii)

as the surviving spouse of the covered employee.

(4)

Employer

(5)

Optional extension of required periods

A group health plan shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this part solely because the plan provides both—

(A)

that the period of extended coverage referred to in section 1162(2) of this title commences with the date of the loss of coverage, and

(B)

that the applicable notice period provided under section 1166(a)(2) of this title commences with the date of the loss of coverage.

(Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 607, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10002(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 231; amended Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9501(c)(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 2077; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1895(d)(8), (9)(A), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2940;

cite as: 29 USC 1167