Which data elements are required in a COBRA census?

Which data elements are required in a COBRA census?

• A. Name, Address, City, State
• B. Name, DOB, Zip code, Eligibility State Date, Eligibility End Date, Reason
• C. Name, SSN, Email, Phone
• D. Name, DOB, Zip code, Eligibility End Date, Reason

Answer: (B)

The data elements are organized to identify the person and manage the COBRA coverage window. The essential items are name to identify the individual, date of birth to distinguish people with similar names, and ZIP code to ensure accurate contact and regional eligibility information. Two dates are needed—Eligibility Start Date shows when COBRA coverage can begin and Eligibility End Date indicates when it ends or when the window closes—so the program can track the enrollment period and termination timing. The reason field explains why COBRA is being offered (the qualifying event), which guides notices, eligibility rules, and premium handling. This combination is why including all of these elements is the best fit for a COBRA census. Other options miss one or more of these critical pieces: some lack the start date or the end date, or omit the reason, or replace key identifiers with elements like SSN or Email that aren’t universally required for administering COBRA eligibility.

The data elements are organized to identify the person and manage the COBRA coverage window. The essential items are name to identify the individual, date of birth to distinguish people with similar names, and ZIP code to ensure accurate contact and regional eligibility information. Two dates are needed—Eligibility Start Date shows when COBRA coverage can begin and Eligibility End Date indicates when it ends or when the window closes—so the program can track the enrollment period and termination timing. The reason field explains why COBRA is being offered (the qualifying event), which guides notices, eligibility rules, and premium handling. This combination is why including all of these elements is the best fit for a COBRA census.

Other options miss one or more of these critical pieces: some lack the start date or the end date, or omit the reason, or replace key identifiers with elements like SSN or Email that aren’t universally required for administering COBRA eligibility.