Here's how to stay covered while you sort out the rest, and which option to price first.
COBRA vs. THE MARKETPLACE
Two ways to stay covered. The quick version:
COBRA
Your exact plan continues: same doctors, same network, no gap.
You pay the whole premium plus up to 2%, often $700+/mo for one person, more for a family.
Lasts up to 18 months.
60 days to elect, and it's retroactive to the day your coverage ended.
Marketplace (ACA)
A new plan you pick on HealthCare.gov or your state's site.
Income-based subsidies can cut the premium sharply, sometimes to very little.
60-day Special Enrollment window from the day you lose coverage.
Heads up: 2026 subsidy changes can shift the math. Check the current rules.
Price the Marketplace first, but 2026 subsidy cuts mean it's no longer automatically cheaper, so compare your real numbers. With a big income drop it can still be much cheaper. Confirm your doctors are in-network before you drop COBRA.
Your health deadlines
Two windows close fast after a layoff, usually within 60 days. (so don't sit on these)
Official resources
HealthCare.gov
Compare Marketplace plans and see the subsidy you qualify for.
Medicaid & CHIP
Free or very low-cost coverage if your income now qualifies. Apply any time, by state.
Not medical, legal, tax, or financial advice. Prices and rules change. Confirm current numbers at HealthCare.gov before you decide.
Common questions
How much does COBRA cost?
The full premium plus up to 2%, which often runs several hundred dollars a month for one person and more for a family, because you're now paying the whole bill your employer used to split. The exact amount depends on your old plan.
How long do I have to pick COBRA or a Marketplace plan?
Both clocks run about 60 days from losing coverage. COBRA gives you 60 days to elect, retroactive to when your plan ended; the Marketplace gives you a 60-day Special Enrollment window. Don't let either run out.
Can I get subsidies for a Marketplace plan after a layoff?
Often yes: the Marketplace has income-based subsidies that can cut premiums sharply when your income drops. But 2026 changes shrank them and brought back an income cutoff, so check the current rules at healthcare.gov before assuming it beats COBRA.
Could I qualify for Medicaid after losing my job?
Possibly. Medicaid is free or very low-cost coverage based on your current income, and a job loss can make you newly eligible. You can apply any time through healthcare.gov or your state's program; eligibility depends on your state and household income.