COBRA Cost Calculator
Calculate your monthly COBRA premium and compare it to marketplace alternatives after losing employer coverage.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
COBRA Monthly Premium
$714.00
Difference (COBRA vs Market)
$984.00
Inputs
Comparison
Total COBRA Cost
$4,284.00
Monthly Increase vs Employee Rate
$514.00
Premium Increase
257%
Marketplace Alternative Total
$3,300.00
Better Option
1
Cumulative Cost: COBRA vs Marketplace
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the portion of the monthly premium your employer was paying.
- Enter your previous monthly employee share of the premium.
- Enter the number of family members covered and the number of months of COBRA coverage you'll need (up to 18).
- Enter the monthly premium for a comparable ACA marketplace plan.
- Review your COBRA monthly premium (employer plus employee share, with a 2% admin fee built in), total COBRA cost, and how it compares to the marketplace total to see which option costs less.
How the result changes with Employer Premium Share
| Employer Premium Share | COBRA Monthly Premium | Difference (COBRA vs Market) |
|---|---|---|
| $390.00 | $601.80 | $310.80 |
| $1,115.00 | $1,341.30 | $4,747.80 |
| $1,985.00 | $2,228.70 | $10,072.20 |
| $2,710.00 | $2,968.20 | $14,509.20 |
What each input means
- Employer Premium Share
- The portion of the monthly premium your employer was paying.
- Your Previous Monthly Share
- What you were paying per month for your share of the premium.
- Family Members Covered
- Number of people covered under COBRA.
- Months of Coverage Needed
- How many months you need COBRA before getting new coverage. Max is 18 months.
- Marketplace Alternative Premium
- Monthly premium for a comparable ACA marketplace plan (before subsidies).
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersEmployer Premium Share = 500, Your Previous Monthly Share = 200, Family Members Covered = 1, Months of Coverage Needed = 6 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate COBRA Monthly PremiumCOBRA Monthly Premium714 = $714
- Calculate DifferenceDifference = Math984 = $984
- Calculate Total COBRA CostTotal COBRA Cost4284 = $4,284
- Calculate Monthly Increase vs Employee RateMonthly Increase vs Employee Rate514 = $514
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.
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