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Free COBRA ToolCOBRA or a new plan? See the real difference.
COBRA keeps your plan, at the full price your employer used to pay most of. An individual plan may cost far less, especially if your income drops this year. Enter your numbers and compare them side by side. No sign-up.
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From your COBRA election notice.
Until a new job plan starts, or up to 18.
Include what you already earned plus what you expect.
COBRA total
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New plan total (est.)
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Difference
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Estimate only, not a quote. The new-plan figure uses your state's average benchmark Silver premium adjusted for age, and the published premium tax credit formula (2026 poverty guidelines, 2027 applicable percentages). Actual prices depend on your county. Eligibility for a subsidy also requires that you are not offered affordable coverage through another employer, including a spouse's.
Access to major U.S. carriers
Carrier names are trademarks of their respective owners. Saintellus Health Advisory is an independent advisor.
When COBRA wins, and when it does not
- 1Your income drops this year
Subsidies use this year's income. After a job loss that is often far lower than before, and a new plan can cost a fraction of COBRA.
- 2You already met your deductible
COBRA keeps what you have paid toward this year's deductible. A new plan starts from zero, which can tip a short gap toward COBRA.
- 3You are mid-treatment
If your doctors or hospital are only in your current network, keeping the same plan can be worth the price.
- 4The deadlines decide for you
Both windows are 60 days and run together. Dropping COBRA later does not reopen enrollment, so choose inside the window.
Read more: COBRA alternatives, the ACA subsidy calculator and the self-employed health insurance calculator if you are going out on your own.
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Leave a Google Review →Common questions
How much does COBRA cost?
Up to 102% of the full premium for your plan: the part you paid as an employee plus the part your employer paid, plus a 2% administration fee. That is why COBRA often costs three to five times what came out of your paycheck. Your COBRA election notice shows the exact amount.
Is an individual plan really cheaper than COBRA?
Often, but not always. A new plan usually wins when your income for the year will be lower than before, because premium tax credits are based on this year's income. COBRA can win when you have already met this year's deductible, are in the middle of treatment, or need doctors that are only in your current network.
Can I take COBRA now and switch later?
Only at open enrollment or with a new qualifying event. Losing job coverage opens a 60-day window for a new plan. If you choose COBRA and then drop it part-way through, that does not open a new window, so you could be stuck with COBRA until open enrollment. Decide inside the 60 days.
What if my employer is small?
Federal COBRA covers employers with 20 or more employees. For smaller employers, Florida's state continuation law applies instead, with its own rules and deadlines. Check your notice, or send it to us and we will read it with you.
How accurate is the new-plan estimate?
It uses your state's average benchmark Silver premium for your ages and the published premium tax credit formula. Real prices depend on your county and the plans filed there, so treat it as a close estimate. A licensed advisor can price the actual plans in your ZIP code at no cost.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA; HealthCare.gov special enrollment rules; HHS poverty guidelines; IRS applicable percentage table (Rev. Proc. 2026-26); CMS default standard age curve; state average benchmark Silver premiums.
