The COBRA trap — and why you probably don't have to pay it
Your last day is coming (or already happened). HR handed you a COBRA notice quoting $700, $1,200, sometimes $2,000+ a month to keep your plan. That's not a mistake — COBRA charges you the full premium your employer was paying, plus a 2% admin fee. It feels expensive because it is.
What HR usually doesn't tell you: losing employer coverage is a qualifying life event. That means you get a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to buy an ACA marketplace plan — and because your income just dropped, your subsidy just went up.
Result: an ACA plan often costs 60–80% less than COBRA, with the same doctor and hospital networks available. We do this every week.
What we do when you're between jobs
- Fast subsidy calculation — using your projected income for the rest of the year (not last year's W-2, which is often the mistake people make on HealthCare.gov).
- Plan comparison including your current doctor — so you don't lose the doctor you like.
- Short-term / gap coverage options — if you'll be re-employed in 30–90 days, this is often cheaper than COBRA or ACA.
- Prescription coverage check — especially critical for chronic conditions and ongoing meds.
- Same-day enrollment — most plans start the 1st of the following month. Don't wait until the last day.
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What Real Clients Say
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long after losing my job do I have to get health insurance?
You have 60 days from the date you lose employer health coverage to enroll in an ACA marketplace plan through a Special Enrollment Period. You can also elect COBRA within the same window, but COBRA typically costs 3–5x more than a comparable ACA plan for people whose income has dropped.
Is ACA cheaper than COBRA?
For most people who just lost their job, yes — significantly. COBRA charges you the full unsubsidized premium your employer used to pay. An ACA plan is priced with subsidies based on your NEW (lower) income, which typically cuts your monthly cost by 60–80%.
Can I keep my doctor if I switch from employer insurance to ACA?
Often yes. Major ACA carriers share large portions of their provider networks with employer plans. We verify your specific doctor is in-network before you enroll — that's a free service we provide.
What if I only need health insurance for 2-3 months between jobs?
Short-term medical plans can be a good bridge — they're often $150–$400/month and start the next day. They don't cover pre-existing conditions, but for a healthy person between jobs they're a legitimate money-saver. We'll show you both options.