Transparent calculator methodology
Compare all three job-loss health coverage paths
The cheapest monthly premium may not be the lowest-cost transition when the current plan has deductible progress, an employer COBRA subsidy, a spouse-plan tier increase, or a different coverage start date. This planner compares the remaining plan year and a fresh full year separately.
What the estimate includes
- Exact COBRA premium and optional severance subsidy
- Marginal spouse-plan premium, surcharge, and employer health-account funds
- User-entered Marketplace premium after the official subsidy quote
- Deductible progress, expected use, worst-case exposure, and enrollment dates
How the comparison works
The calculator annualizes each option only for the selected coverage period, applies the entered deductible and out-of-pocket progress, and ranks expected and worst-case cost. A separate timeline flags the commonly applicable special-enrollment and COBRA election windows for verification.
Important limitation
This is not an eligibility determination, Marketplace quote, or enrollment notice. Use the dates on the actual employer, COBRA, and Marketplace documents; verify provider networks, prescriptions, coverage effective dates, subsidy reconciliation, and every deadline with the applicable administrator.