Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) – Group Benefits Associate (GBA) / Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) Course 3 Practice Test

Under FMLA, when an eligible employee takes leave, the employer must keep the employee’s group health coverage in place on the same terms as if the employee were still working. That means the coverage continues during the leave, not ending or being automatically suspended just because the employee is on leave. The employee may be required to continue paying their share of the premium during the leave, consistent with the plan’s rules. If premiums aren’t paid, coverage can lapse, but the fundamental obligation is to maintain the same coverage while on leave, with premium contributions possibly required from the employee. This is why the statement that employers must continue group health coverage for eligible employees on FMLA leave, with employee premium contributions possibly required, is the correct understanding.