COBRA cost calculator: what you'll actually pay (2026)
When you leave a job in the US, you can keep your employer's health insurance through COBRA — but you'll pay the full premium (employee + employer share) plus a 2% admin fee. Most people are blindsided by the number.
The COBRA formula
Your COBRA monthly premium = (employer's full plan cost) × 102%.
A plan that cost you $200/month at work might cost $900/month on COBRA — because your employer was covering $700.
Ask HR for the 'COBRA notice' within 14 days of your last day. It lists exact monthly amounts per coverage tier.
Cheaper alternatives most people miss
1) ACA Marketplace (healthcare.gov) — losing job-based coverage triggers a Special Enrollment Period (60 days). Subsidies are based on this year's income, not last year's. If your projected 2026 income drops, your premium can be $0–$200/month.
2) Spouse's plan — losing coverage is a qualifying event for adding yourself to a partner's employer plan.
3) Medicaid — if your monthly income is under ~$1,800 (varies by state and family size), you may qualify. No enrollment period.
When COBRA still makes sense
Keep COBRA if you're mid-treatment (cancer, pregnancy, surgery scheduled) and switching plans would interrupt care or restart deductibles. You have 60 days to elect — and it's retroactive to your termination date, so you can wait, see if you find a job, and only enroll if you actually need it.
Apply this to your own situation
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See your health coverage optionsFrequently asked
How long does COBRA last?
18 months for most job-loss situations; 36 months for spouses/dependents in certain qualifying events. After that you must move to ACA or another plan.
What if I can't afford COBRA?
Apply for ACA Marketplace coverage with the income-based subsidy. Most people losing a job qualify for substantial premium tax credits — often $0/month plans in 2026 expansion states.
Can I cancel COBRA after I enroll?
Yes, any time. Just stop paying. You'll lose coverage at the end of the month you last paid for.