Is seperate election possible?

Human Resources Manager

I have a question from a former EE about COBRA election. He is trying to get veteran's coverage for himself. He wants to know if he can elect for his wife now, and elect for himself later if the veteran's coverage doesn't come through, so long as he does so within the election period.

My instinct is to say no, once he elects single coverage for the wife he is giving up rights to his coverage, but I can't find anything that relates specifically to this situation in my COBRA references.

Can anyone help me?

irenesmsaclaims

Under COBRA, each person who was covered the day before the qualifying event has a SEPARATE right to elect continuation coverage. You have to give the wife the right to elect separately from her husband, regardless of his circumstances.