COBRA vs ACA Marketplace Cost

COBRA = full premium + 2% admin. Marketplace = unsubsidized premium with possible subsidy.

Inputs

Result

Loading calculator…
—

General calculation reads

Amazon affiliate
How Not to Be Wrong
Jordan Ellenberg - math thinking
Shop on Amazon
The Joy of X
Steven Strogatz - accessible math
Shop on Amazon
Scientific calculator (Casio fx-991EX)
Shop on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. This does not add cost for you.

How to use this calculator

  • Get COBRA quote from prior HR.
  • Get ACA Silver-plan quote at healthcare.gov.
  • Estimate subsidy if income qualifies.

About this calculator

COBRA lets you keep employer health insurance for up to 18 months after job loss, but you pay full premium + 2% admin (typically $600-1500/mo for individual, $1500-3000 family). ACA marketplace plans are usually cheaper, especially with subsidies — premium tax credits cover much of cost for incomes under 400% federal poverty line ($60k single / $124k family in 2025). Special enrollment period triggered by job loss.

Frequently asked

Why is COBRA so expensive?+
You're paying both employee + employer share + 2%. Employer was previously covering 70-80%.
When does ACA win?+
Almost always — unless you have ongoing pre-existing care relationship that requires staying with current network.
Subsidy calculation?+
Premium tax credit caps Silver-plan premium at 0-8.5% of income. Use healthcare.gov calculator for exact figure.
Network change risk?+
COBRA: same network you had. ACA: may have different doctors. Check network before switching mid-treatment.
Special enrollment period?+
Job loss / qualifying event grants 60-day SEP. After that, must wait until November open enrollment.

Related calculators

ACA Subsidy Estimator
Premium tax credit caps benchmark Silver plan at 0-8.5% of income (sliding scale).
Health Plan: Deductible vs Premium
Total annual cost = premiums × 12 + expected medical × cost-share until OOPM.
HSA Tax Savings Calculator
Tax saved = contribution × marginal tax bracket. Triple tax advantage with HDHP.
FSA Tax Savings Calculator
Tax saved = contribution × marginal rate. Use-it-or-lose-it (with $640 max carryover 2025).
Insurance Bundling Savings
Auto + Home from same carrier typically saves 5-25%.
Life Insurance Cash Surrender Value
Cash surrender = cash value − surrender charges. Estimate before cancelling permanent policy.

More tools you might like

Hand-picked tools that pair well with this one — same audience, same intent.

ACA Subsidy Estimator
Calc

Premium tax credit caps benchmark Silver plan at 0-8.5% of income (sliding scale).

Health Plan: Deductible vs Premium
Calc

Total annual cost = premiums × 12 + expected medical × cost-share until OOPM.

HSA Tax Savings Calculator
Calc

Tax saved = contribution × marginal tax bracket. Triple tax advantage with HDHP.

FSA Tax Savings Calculator
Calc

Tax saved = contribution × marginal rate. Use-it-or-lose-it (with $640 max carryover 2025).

Life Insurance Cash Surrender Value
Calc

Cash surrender = cash value − surrender charges. Estimate before cancelling permanent policy.

COBRA Election Letter
Docs

Letter electing COBRA continuation coverage after a qualifying event - job loss, hour reduction, or other.