COBRA Cost Calculator
Compare COBRA continuation coverage vs ACA marketplace vs short-term insurance costs for early retirees bridging to Medicare at 65. Find the most affordable health coverage strategy during your retirement transition.
Personal Information
COBRA Coverage
Alternative Coverage Options
Coverage Strategy Score
You have excellent options for bridging to Medicare. Multiple affordable coverage paths are available, and your income level supports strong ACA subsidies.
Months to Medicare
60
Potential Savings
$9,890
COBRA Monthly Cost
$2,160
$38,877 over 18 months
ACA Monthly Cost
$796
$47,752 over 60 months
Short-Term Monthly Cost
$961
$57,642 over 60 months
Optimal Strategy Cost
$47,752
Saves $9,890 total
Months Until Medicare
60
Age 60 to 65
COBRA Duration
18 months
Maximum 18 months allowed
Premium Increase from Employer
359%
$400 to $1,836
Monthly Savings (Best vs Worst)
$1,364
Comparing all options
Total Cost Comparison
Projected total healthcare costs across all coverage options over 60 months
Total
$144,271
COBRA (18 mo)
27%$38,877/yr
ACA Marketplace
33%$47,752/yr
Short-Term Insurance
40%$57,642/yr
Monthly Cost Comparison
Average monthly costs including premiums and estimated out-of-pocket expenses
Cumulative Cost Over Time
How total costs accumulate month by month for each coverage option
Month-by-Month Breakdown
Detailed monthly cost comparison across all coverage options with optimal recommendation
| Month | COBRA | ACA | Best Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,086 | $704 | $704 |
| 6 | $2,129 | $719 | $719 |
| 11 | $2,173 | $733 | $733 |
| 16 | $2,217 | $748 | $748 |
| 21 | N/A | $764 | $764 |
| 26 | N/A | $780 | $780 |
| 31 | N/A | $796 | $796 |
| 36 | N/A | $812 | $812 |
| 41 | N/A | $829 | $829 |
| 46 | N/A | $846 | $846 |
| 51 | N/A | $863 | $863 |
| 56 | N/A | $881 | $881 |
| 60 | N/A | $895 | $895 |
Personalized Insights
Actionable recommendations based on your numbers
Optimal Coverage Strategy
Your most cost-effective path to Medicare: ACA Marketplace for all 60 months. This saves you approximately $9,890 compared to using a single coverage option the entire time.
COBRA Only Covers 18 Months
You need 60 months of coverage, but COBRA is limited to 18 months. You will need to transition to ACA marketplace or short-term insurance after COBRA expires. Plan your transition to avoid any coverage gaps.
ACA Marketplace Is Cheaper Than COBRA
An ACA marketplace plan costs $1,364/month less than COBRA on average. Over 18 months, that is $24,552 in savings. However, check that your preferred doctors are in-network.
You May Qualify for ACA Subsidies
At 332% of the Federal Poverty Level, you likely qualify for premium tax credits that reduce your ACA marketplace costs. Managing your retirement income (MAGI) can maximize these subsidies.
Pre-Existing Conditions Matter
COBRA and ACA marketplace plans must cover pre-existing conditions. Short-term plans typically do not. If you have ongoing health needs, factor this into your decision beyond just monthly premium costs.