COBRA vs. ACA Marketplace Calculator: Which Costs Less After Leaving a Job?
COBRA keeps the old plan. The Marketplace can be cheaper. The real decision also includes network continuity, deductible resets, tax credits and a 60-day enrollment clock.
COBRA vs. Marketplace calculator
The decision in one table
| Issue | COBRA | Marketplace |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors/network | Keeps existing plan/network | May require a new network |
| Deductible progress | Generally continues with the same plan year | A new plan can reset deductible progress |
| Premium | You generally take over the full group premium plus permitted admin charge | Varies by plan and household; tax credits may apply |
| Enrollment timing | Election rules apply after qualifying event | Loss of job coverage generally opens a 60-day SEP |
| Leaving early | Important timing consequences | Voluntarily ending COBRA does not always create a new SEP |
Why the cheaper premium can still lose
If you have already met most of a deductible, are mid-treatment with a specialist, or have an expensive drug that is well covered on the employer formulary, continuity can be worth real money. Conversely, a large monthly COBRA premium can dominate the math for a healthy household.
Do not miss the exit rule
HealthCare.gov warns that voluntarily dropping COBRA before it exhausts does not, by itself, necessarily give you a Special Enrollment Period. If you are considering a switch outside Open Enrollment, confirm the Marketplace timing before terminating COBRA.
FAQ
Does quitting a job count as loss of coverage?
HealthCare.gov says loss of job-based coverage can trigger a Marketplace SEP whether you quit or are fired, assuming the coverage actually ends.
How long does COBRA usually last after job loss?
HealthCare.gov describes job-loss COBRA as usually 18 months; other qualifying events and extensions can differ.
Should I use gross annual income or current monthly income for Marketplace savings?
Marketplace financial help is based on projected household income under its rules. Use the Marketplace application rather than guessing from one paycheck.
Sources & methodology
We favor regulators, government agencies and primary insurance-industry data for factual rules and current limits. Calculators use the numbers you enter and clearly labeled illustrative assumptions rather than pretending a national average is your quote.