COBRA cost calculator
Find out exactly what COBRA will cost after leaving your job — and compare it to ACA marketplace alternatives.
COBRA cost calculator
See what you will pay for COBRA continuation coverage and compare it to ACA marketplace alternatives.
This is an estimate for informational purposes only based on national and state averages. Actual rates vary by insurer and individual circumstances. For an accurate quote, contact a licensed insurance agent.
COBRA vs ACA: which is cheaper?
COBRA lets you keep your exact employer plan after leaving a job — same network, same doctors, same drug formulary. The trade-off is cost: you now pay your share plus what your employer was paying, plus a 2% fee. For many people, this triples or quadruples their health insurance cost overnight.
When COBRA makes sense
Choose COBRA if you are mid-treatment and need to stay in-network, if you have met a significant portion of your deductible and expect major expenses before year-end, or if you are only between jobs for 1–2 months and the complexity of switching is not worth it. The identical coverage is COBRA's key advantage.
When ACA marketplace is better
If your income qualifies for subsidies, a marketplace plan can cost 50–80% less than COBRA for comparable coverage. You have 60 days from losing employer coverage to enroll. Use healthcare.gov to see your actual subsidy amount — the estimates in this calculator are approximations. Do not rely on them to make the final decision without checking your real quote.