A question we recently received from a reader…

Dear COBRA Insurance Benefits,
My father recently retired but isn’t yet qualified for Medicare.  He is moving into our home and I will be paying all of his expenses since he lost his retirement account.  I know under tax law I can count him as a dependent since his income is below the threshold and I will take care of him full time.  Can I also sign him up for my COBRA insurance plan so he has health insurance?

Answer:  Under most health insurance plans, since he is a dependent, he would be able to enroll in your COBRA health insurance plan.  Depending on the insurance plan this might only be able to happen during open enrollment but in other plans you may be able to add him at any time.  The easiest way to make sure you can add him as a dependent under your COBRA insurance plan is by reaching out to your health insurance provider.