How long does COBRA last?

Typically up to 18 months after a job loss or reduction in hours, and up to 36 months for certain qualifying events like divorce or a dependent aging out.

Is COBRA or a marketplace plan better?

COBRA keeps your exact plan and doctors. A marketplace plan is often cheaper — especially with subsidies — but may have a different network. Compare total cost and coverage.

Can I switch from COBRA to a marketplace plan?

Yes. Losing employer coverage triggers a special enrollment period. You can also switch during open enrollment, but voluntarily dropping COBRA mid-year may not trigger special enrollment.

Is there a deadline to elect COBRA?

You generally have 60 days from losing coverage (or from the COBRA notice) to elect, and coverage is retroactive to the date your employer coverage ended.

COBRA Calculator | KalkWise

By the KalkWise Editorial Team Reviewed for accuracy Updated June 2026

What is the cobra calculator?

In short

COBRA lets you keep your employer health plan after leaving a job, but you pay the full premium plus up to a 2% admin fee. A plan with a $650/month total premium costs about $663/month under COBRA — $11,934 over 18 months — often more than a subsidized marketplace plan.

Estimates your monthly and total COBRA cost (full premium + 2% admin fee) and compares it against a marketplace plan to show which is cheaper.

How to use this calculator

1Enter the full monthly premium (employer + employee share combined).
2Set the admin fee (COBRA allows up to 2%).
3Enter the months of coverage you need (up to 18, sometimes 36).
4Enter a comparable marketplace premium to compare.

The formula

COBRA=premium×(1+2%)

total=COBRA×months

COBRA monthly = premium × 1.02; total = COBRA × months; compare to marketplace × months

COBRA: — Monthly cost = full premium × (1 + admin fee)
total: — COBRA × months of coverage
market: — Marketplace premium × months

Worked example

The scenario

$650 full premium, 2% admin fee, 18 months, $450 marketplace plan.

gives

The result

COBRA: $663/month, $11,934 total. Marketplace: $8,100 total. Marketplace is cheaper here.

Common use cases

Workers who just lost or left a job weighing health coverage options.
Comparing COBRA continuation against an ACA marketplace plan.
Bridging coverage for a few months before new employer benefits begin.

Limitations & assumptions

Does not factor in marketplace premium subsidies, which can dramatically lower ACA costs.
Ignores differences in deductibles, networks, and out-of-pocket maximums between plans.
Does not account for COBRA's retroactive 60-day election window.

Frequently asked questions

You pay the entire premium (both your old share and the employer's) plus up to a 2% administrative fee. That often means paying 2–5× what you paid as an employee.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

COBRA vs marketplace