US 2028 COBRA vs ACA
2028 COBRA: pay full premium (employer + employee share) + 2% admin = $1,500-$2,500/mo typical family. ACA marketplace often beats — especially with subsidy.
| COBRA total | — |
| ACA total (after subsidy) | — |
| Winner | — |
| Total savings | — |
COBRA continuation lets employees continue employer health plan after job loss — but at full premium (employer + employee share) + 2% admin fee. Typically $1,500-$2,500/month family. ACA marketplace coverage with subsidies often costs 30-70% less. Job loss = qualifying event for ACA Special Enrollment Period (60-day window).
COBRA Math Brutal
Employer typically covers 70-80% of family premium. After job loss, you pay 100% of premium + 2% admin. Family plan $400/mo employee share becomes $1,800+/mo COBRA. 60-day reversal: COBRA elected retroactively — but pay all back-premiums.
ACA Often Wins
With subsidies for income < 400% FPL: ACA Silver plan often $200-$800/mo for family. Compare against $1,800+ COBRA = $1,000+/mo savings. Use HealthCare.gov calculator with projected income (job-search income often low).
HSA + COBRA Combo
If high-deductible plan available via COBRA: HSA-eligible. Triple-tax-advantage shelter. Some scenarios COBRA HDHP wins over ACA Silver. Run both with HSA factored in.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: DOL ERISA.