duplicate post
"continuation coverage" is a misnomer - what that means is coverage that has a 'hard stop'. COBRA is 'continuation coverage' because it has a hard stop at 18 months. If you just took the option of continuing the coverage (with the premium no longer subsidizes) offered by your previous employer , there is no "hard stop' in that coverage - you could presumably continue it for the rest of your life (the fact that Medicare at age 65 would montivate you to stop doesn't fit the arguement as you could decide to continue the private coverage and never pay for Medicare)
