COBRA vs. Marketplace Calculator

Last updated July 2, 2026

The COBRA vs. Marketplace decision is one of the most consequential and time-pressured choices someone faces after a job loss, and most people make it with incomplete information. The 60-day window to elect COBRA runs concurrently with the 60-day Special Enrollment Period for the Marketplace — both clocks start when employer coverage ends. That overlap is the opportunity: you can research both options simultaneously before committing to either. Critically, COBRA coverage can be elected retroactively during that window, meaning if a medical emergency occurs in week three, you can elect COBRA retroactively and have it cover the bill — but you cannot retroactively enroll in Marketplace coverage after the window closes.

The comparison ultimately comes down to five factors: the full COBRA premium, the Marketplace premium after subsidies, whether you have in-progress deductible spending worth protecting, whether your current doctors are in-network on available Marketplace plans, and how long you expect to be without employer coverage. For a typical middle-income household going through a job loss, the Marketplace wins on cost by $400 to $1,000 per month. The exception case is someone who is three-quarters through a $4,000 deductible and has a scheduled surgery — for them, two or three months of COBRA at higher cost may save more in preserved deductible credit than the premium difference costs.

Running the actual numbers before choosing. Get your COBRA premium from your employer's election notice, estimate your Marketplace options using your projected income for the year, and check whether your primary doctors accept plans in your area. For most people, the Marketplace wins — but the right answer depends on your specific medical situation and how much of your deductible you've already met.