How Much Does COBRA Insurance Cost? Monthly Prices and Options

By Heather Sprague, licensed Agent of Record (NPN 19086819)·Updated November 1, 2026·9 min read

How much does COBRA insurance cost? Usually the full price of your old work plan, plus up to a 2 percent fee. Based on KFF averages, that is about $793 a month for single coverage. For a family, it can reach about $2,294 a month. Below, you will see why the jump is so big and which options may cost less.

How COBRA Insurance Cost Is Calculated

COBRA lets you keep your employer plan after you leave a job. However, your employer usually stops paying its share. You pay the whole premium yourself.

The U.S. Department of Labor allows plans to charge up to 102 percent of the cost. That extra 2 percent covers paperwork. During a disability extension, the charge can rise to 150 percent.

As a result, most people see their premium jump four to six times. To compare it with other plans, compare health insurance quotes or call 888-730-6031.

How Much Does COBRA Insurance Cost Per Month?

KFF tracks employer plan prices every year. Here is what those averages mean for COBRA.

In other words, a worker who paid $120 a month may now owe nearly $800. Your own price depends on your old plan. So check your COBRA election notice for the exact figure.

Meanwhile, a Marketplace plan might cost far less with a tax credit. Your lower income after a job loss can increase that credit. Call 888-730-6031 to compare.

Who Qualifies for COBRA Coverage

Federal COBRA applies to group health plans at employers with 20 or more workers. Many states add their own rules, often called mini-COBRA, for smaller employers.

Next, you need a qualifying event. The most common one is losing your job for any reason other than gross misconduct. Reduced hours also count.

• Job loss or reduced hours for the covered worker.
• Divorce or legal separation from the covered worker.
• Death of the covered worker.
• A child aging off the plan at 26.

Because each event has its own time limit, read your notice closely. Then compare the price with other options before you sign up. Questions? Call 888-730-6031.

Comparing How Much COBRA Insurance Costs to a Marketplace Plan

To compare fairly, look at the full year, not one month. First, add up 12 months of COBRA premiums. Then add the deductible you still owe.

Next, get a Marketplace quote with your tax credit applied. The credit is based on household income for the whole year. So a job loss mid-year can shrink your income and raise your credit.

For example, say your COBRA bill is $793 a month. That is about $9,500 a year. A Marketplace plan with a credit may cost a fraction of that. On the other hand, you restart your deductible and may need new doctors.

An agent can lay both options side by side. That way, you see the real yearly cost of each. Call 888-730-6031 or compare health insurance quotes.

COBRA Deadlines and How Long It Lasts

• 60 days to elect. The clock starts from your notice or coverage end date, whichever is later.
• 45 days to pay. Your first payment is due 45 days after you elect.
• 18 months of coverage. This is the standard limit after a job loss.
• Up to 36 months. Some events, like divorce or a parent's death, allow longer.

Coverage is retroactive once you elect and pay. So you can wait to see if you need care. Still, missing a deadline ends your COBRA rights for good.

Cheaper Alternatives to COBRA

Each option has trade-offs. For example, short-term plans are not ACA plans and may not cover existing conditions. Read COBRA vs Marketplace coverage and COBRA vs short-term health insurance for details.

When COBRA Is Worth the Cost

• You already met your deductible. Switching plans resets it.
• You are mid-treatment. Keeping the same doctors avoids disruption.
• Your new job starts soon. A short COBRA bridge may be simplest.
• Your income is high. Marketplace credits may not apply above 400 percent of poverty.

On the other hand, many healthy people overpay for COBRA. If you rarely use care, another plan may fit better. An agent can price both at 888-730-6031.

Switching From COBRA to a Marketplace Plan

Losing job-based coverage gives you a 60-day special enrollment period. You can use it even if you were offered COBRA. That is true, according to HealthCare.gov.

However, timing matters. If you start COBRA and later drop it on purpose, you usually cannot switch until open enrollment. Running out of COBRA months does qualify you, though.

Therefore, decide early. Read health insurance between jobs and the special enrollment period for next steps.

How to Decide in Five Steps

1. Find your COBRA price on the election notice.
2. Estimate your income for the rest of the year.
3. Get Marketplace quotes with your tax credit applied.
4. Check doctors and drugs on each option.
5. Compare the total yearly cost, including deductibles.

A licensed agent can do all five steps with you in one call. There is no cost for the help. Call 888-730-6031, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.

COBRA Insurance Cost FAQs

Next Steps After a COBRA Notice

Note your COBRA price and deadline first. Then get quotes before the 60 days run out.

Call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6031, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. You can also compare individual health insurance online.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA continuation coverage
• HealthCare.gov: COBRA coverage and the Marketplace
• KFF: 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey

Vivna Insurance is a licensed, independent health insurance agency (NPN 19168641) appointed with 50+ carriers. Plans, prices, benefits, and availability vary by state and carrier. Short-term and Tri-Term plans are not ACA-compliant. They may exclude pre-existing conditions and sell only in approved states. Vivna is not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. Cited figures come from the sources listed above.

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