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What Federal Guidance Says
| Decision point | What to verify | Primary source |
|---|---|---|
| COBRA price | A plan may require the full coverage cost plus a 2% administration charge. | U.S. Department of Labor guide |
| COBRA election | The plan must provide at least 60 days to elect, measured under the notice rules. | U.S. Department of Labor guide |
| Marketplace enrollment | Loss of job-based coverage can create a Special Enrollment Period; official dates and eligibility apply. | HealthCare.gov |
| Marketplace savings | Savings use expected household income for the coverage year, not simply the prior year’s income. | HealthCare.gov income guidance |
A Safe Decision Sequence
Read the COBRA election notice and write down its exact deadline and premium. Complete the official Marketplace application to see plans and any savings for which the household may qualify. Confirm the effective date before ending other coverage, and contact the plan or Marketplace if timing is unclear.
Voluntarily ending COBRA early does not always create a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period. HealthCare.gov says exhausting COBRA, losing job-based coverage, and Open Enrollment have different rules. Verify eligibility before cancelling a plan.
Methodology and Limits
The calculator adds monthly premium × selected months + the out-of-pocket amount you enter for each option, then reports the difference. It does not estimate claims, tax-credit eligibility, plan quality, or network access. A lower modeled total is not a recommendation.
Primary resources reviewed July 23, 2026: the U.S. Department of Labor COBRA guide and HealthCare.gov pages linked above. Plan documents and official eligibility results control. This page is educational and is not insurance, legal, tax, or financial advice.
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