Losing Job-Based Health Coverage: What to Do

You have a Special Enrollment window

Losing job-based health coverage qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period, giving you roughly 60 days from the date coverage ends to enroll in a new plan without waiting for the next Open Enrollment. Missing that window can mean going without coverage until the next Open Enrollment Period opens, so it’s worth acting on relatively quickly.

Your main options

COBRA lets you keep your exact employer plan temporarily, but you typically pay the full premium yourself, including the portion your employer used to cover — which often makes it the most expensive option.

A private health plan gives you access to different carriers and plan types, often at a lower monthly cost than COBRA. If your income qualifies for a Marketplace subsidy, that’s worth weighing too — eligibility now depends on staying under the 400% income threshold.

A spouse or family member’s plan may also be an option if they have employer coverage available and their plan allows a special enrollment addition.

Why it’s worth comparing before you default to COBRA

COBRA feels like the easy choice because it requires no research — but it’s rarely the cheapest. Comparing COBRA against private plan options across carriers often turns up a plan that costs meaningfully less for similar or better coverage.

Just lost coverage or expecting to soon? Get a free quote and Eli will compare private plan options across carriers for your situation.