Everything you need to know about COBRA election windows, Marketplace subsidies, deductible carryovers, and working with our licensed team.
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) lets eligible employees and their dependents continue the exact same group health insurance plan after losing employer coverage. It is expensive because your former employer no longer pays their share (which was typically 70–80% of the premium), plus a 2% administrative fee. You pay 102% of the full premium.
You have at least 60 days to elect COBRA coverage, starting from either the date your job-based coverage ends or the date your employer sends your COBRA election notice, whichever is later. Once elected, you have another 45 days to pay the first premium.
Yes. Losing employer-sponsored health coverage triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or state exchanges). You can enroll in a Marketplace plan even outside open enrollment. Subsidies (premium tax credits) often make Marketplace coverage hundreds of dollars cheaper per month than COBRA.
If you keep COBRA, your deductible and out-of-pocket spending continue seamlessly with no reset. If you switch to an ACA Marketplace or private plan, your deductible will reset to zero for the new plan year.
Our consultations and guided comparisons are 100% free to you. If you choose to enroll in a Marketplace or private health plan through one of our licensed agents, insurance carriers pay our agency a standard commission mandated by state regulations. This does not increase the premium you pay in any way.
No. Enroll.Compare is operated by HealthLink Insurance Agency LLC, a private, licensed independent insurance agency. We work with both state exchanges/HealthCare.gov and top national carriers to give you unbiased comparison options.
It depends on the plan carrier and network (HMO vs PPO/EPO). When you work with an Enroll.Compare agent, we perform network cross-checks against your specific doctors and medications before you enroll.
Generally, no, unless you experience another qualifying life event (like moving or household changes) or wait until the annual Open Enrollment period (Nov 1 – Jan 15). Simply stopping COBRA voluntarily does NOT trigger a Special Enrollment Period.
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