Lost your job? COBRA isn't your only option — and it's rarely the cheapest.
Your COBRA letter probably quotes $1,200–$1,800/mo because you're now paying the full premium your employer used to cover. Most people we help switch to a marketplace plan for $180–$400/mo after subsidies — with the same or better coverage. Your agent compares total cost (premium + deductible + OOP max) across 6+ carriers in under 12 minutes.
The things nobody tells you — until it costs you money.
Your employer was paying 70–80% of your premium. COBRA = full price + 2% admin fee. Most people don't realize this until the letter arrives.
With reduced income (even temporarily), you likely qualify for large ACA subsidies. 4 out of 5 enrollees get tax credits. Your agent checks in real time.
Switching from COBRA to marketplace resets your deductible. If you've already met your deductible this year, COBRA may save more. Your agent calculates both scenarios.
You get a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for both COBRA and marketplace. But marketplace plans start on the 1st of the next month — the sooner you call, the sooner you're covered.
This page is for you if:
Twelve minutes, scripted.
We'll lay out exactly what your agent will ask, in what order, and why - so you know what to have in front of you before you pick up the phone.
A licensed agent picks up
No phone tree, no transfers, no hold music. Median answer time: 38 seconds.
They ask your ZIP and the ages of anyone covered
So they can pull plans actually available in your state - and confirm the right metal tier for your household.
They ask which doctors and meds matter to you
So they can rule out plans that don't include your providers or formulary. This is the step the marketplace skips.
They show you 3–5 plans side-by-side
Premium, deductible, max out-of-pocket, network size, and a plain-English read on what each gets you.
You pick - they enroll you on the call
Same call. Effective date is typically the 1st of next month. Confirmation by email and SMS within an hour.
You hang up insured
No follow-up sales calls, no info sold to anyone. If you change your mind, we have a 30-day support window - same agent.
You pay nothing. Ever.
We're paid a flat commission by the carrier when you enroll - the same amount whether you pick a BlueCross PPO or an Ambetter HMO. We have zero incentive to push you toward anything but the plan that fits. We don't sell your information. We don't email you for weeks.
Common questions.
For most people, marketplace is dramatically cheaper because of income-based subsidies. COBRA = full premium + 2% fee (typically $1,200–$1,800/mo). Marketplace = $180–$400/mo after subsidies. The exception: if you've already met your COBRA plan's deductible this year, the savings from not resetting may outweigh the higher premium. Your agent calculates both scenarios.
Severance counts as income for subsidy calculations. But your projected annual income (including the months you're unemployed) is usually lower than your full salary, so you still qualify for significant subsidies. Your agent estimates your full-year income accurately.
Marketplace plans start the 1st of the month after you enroll. Call today, covered by the 1st. COBRA is retroactive to your coverage loss date, but you have to pay premiums for the gap.
This is the one scenario where COBRA might save money — you keep your current deductible progress. But the higher monthly premium may still cost more overall. Your agent runs the total-cost math for both.
Yes — you can drop COBRA and enroll in marketplace during Open Enrollment. But you generally can't trigger a new SEP just by dropping COBRA. Your agent explains the timing.
No. One brokerage, not a lead-gen site. No spam, no drip campaigns, no selling your number. BBB A+ rated.
100% free to you. Carriers pay us a flat commission — same amount regardless of which plan you pick.
12 minutes. Real savings.
Your agent compares total cost across 6+ carriers. One call, $0 fee.
(866) 605-0702