COBRA vs. ACA Marketplace Coverage

COBRA lets eligible individuals continue their employer plan for a limited period. It can cost up to 102% of the full premium with no premium tax credit toward COBRA premiums. Marketplace coverage may cost less if you qualify for financial assistance, but provider networks can differ.

By Joseph F. Gioia, independent licensed insurance broker

Get live plan prices Use a known-price worksheet

Compare your COBRA price with personalized Marketplace quotes

Use your quoted COBRA premium alongside live Marketplace prices. Check providers, prescriptions, costs and start dates before changing coverage.

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How this tool works and official sources

Compare more than the monthly premium

Use the COBRA premium shown on the election notice. An actual Marketplace benchmark price is optional; without it, the tool only illustrates a conditional income-based contribution. It does not invent a local plan price.

Example

A fictional COBRA premium of $1,000 and an eligible household’s conditional benchmark contribution of $172.15 are different starting points. You still need the actual available plan, covered people and applicable credit to compare costs.

What to confirm before making a decision

Check whether doctors and prescriptions are covered, annual cost sharing, coverage dates and enrollment deadlines. Voluntarily ending COBRA can leave you without a new enrollment opportunity. Do not cancel it on the basis of this illustration alone.

Official sources

Review both the COBRA election deadline and any Marketplace Special Enrollment Period after losing job coverage. The deadlines and coverage start dates may differ.