A secondary qualifying event can result in an extension of the coverage period. Does a secondary event have any effect on coverage itself? For example, a terminated employee elects COBRA coverage for his spouse and dependents. During the COBRA coverage period one of the dependents ceases to be a full time student or becomes ineligible under the plan's provisions due to age. Does that dependent's coverage continue or does that dependent have to elect new COBRA coverage? It seems that once a qualified beneficiary has elected COBRA coverage a secondary event should not negate that election.

The secondary event makes the dependent ineligible to continue on the family's coverage and therefore must make a new election to continue coverage under his own single COBRA account.

Agreed. If you're not eligible as a dependent, you can't stay on as a dependent, whether it's COBRA or active employee coverage.