Unemployed people

COBRA coverage & the Marketplace

When you lose job-based insurance, you may be offered COBRA continuation coverage by your former employer.
  • If you’re losing job-based coverage and haven’t signed up for COBRA, learn about your rights and options under COBRA from the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • If you decide not to take COBRA coverage, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan instead. Losing job-based coverage qualifies you for a
    Special Enrollment Period
    . This means you have 60 days to enroll in a health plan, even if it’s outside the annual
    Open Enrollment Period
    .
Find plans and prices to compare them to your COBRA coverage or offer.

If you already have COBRA coverage

If you’re already enrolled in COBRA, you may have options in the Marketplace.
Can you change from COBRA to a Marketplace plan?
This is a blank
If your COBRA is running outIf you’re ending COBRA earlyIf your COBRA costs change because your former employer stops contributing or you lose a government subsidy (like COBRA premium assistance) and you must pay full cost
During Open Enrollment
Yes, you can change.
Yes, you can change.
Yes, you can change.
Outside Open Enrollment
Yes, you can change — you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
No, you can’t change until the next Open Enrollment Period, your COBRA runs out, or you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period another way.
Yes, you can change — you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

More answers