Losing your job is stressful enough. Losing your health coverage on top of it can be overwhelming. Florida residents have two main options: COBRA continuation coverage or an ACA Marketplace plan. Here's how to make the right call.
What Is COBRA?
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) lets you keep your employer's group health plan for up to 18 months after losing your job (or other qualifying events). You can keep the exact same coverage with the same network and doctors.
The catch: you pay both your share AND your employer's share of the premium, plus a 2% administrative fee. Most people are shocked to discover their employer was paying 60–80% of their premium — something that wasn't visible in their paycheck.
What Does COBRA Cost in Florida?
COBRA costs vary by your employer's plan, but typical 2026 estimates for Florida:
| Coverage Type | Employee Paid (Before) | COBRA Cost (Full Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $120/mo | $520 – $700/mo |
| Employee + Spouse | $280/mo | $1,100 – $1,400/mo |
| Family | $420/mo | $1,600 – $2,200/mo |
These are rough estimates. Your actual COBRA cost depends on your specific employer plan.
What Does an ACA Plan Cost in Florida After Job Loss?
When you lose job-based coverage, you qualify for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan. If your income dropped significantly, you may qualify for substantial subsidies.
| Situation | Income After Job Loss | ACA Silver Plan Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult, age 35 | $25,000/yr | $20 – $60/mo |
| Single adult, age 45 | $35,000/yr | $60 – $120/mo |
| Couple, both 40 | $50,000/yr | $100 – $200/mo |
| Family of 4 | $60,000/yr | $150 – $300/mo |
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Compare My Options →When COBRA Might Be Worth It in Florida
COBRA is rarely the right financial choice, but there are cases where it makes sense:
- You're close to your annual deductible: If you've already paid $3,000 toward a $4,000 deductible in December, keeping COBRA through year-end may save more than you'd pay
- You have an active medical treatment in progress: Surgeries, chemotherapy, or other ongoing treatments where changing networks mid-treatment could be disruptive
- Your specific specialist isn't in any ACA network: Rare, but possible in certain Florida counties with limited carrier options
- You're between jobs for just 1–2 months: Sometimes COBRA bridging for a very short period is simpler administratively
When ACA Is Better Than COBRA in Florida
The ACA Marketplace is almost always better if:
- Your household income qualifies for premium tax credits (most Floridians who lose jobs do qualify)
- You haven't met much of your COBRA plan's deductible yet
- You're willing to accept a somewhat different network of doctors
- You're going to be unemployed for more than 2–3 months
- You have a family on the plan — cost savings multiply with each additional member
The 60-Day Decision Window
When you lose employer coverage, you have exactly 60 days to elect COBRA AND 60 days to enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan. These windows run simultaneously. You don't have to choose immediately — you can take time to compare options, then enroll in whichever makes more sense.
Important: If you elect COBRA and later decide to switch to an ACA plan, you can only do so during your original 60-day SEP window or the next open enrollment period. Once that 60-day window closes, you're locked into COBRA until the next open enrollment (or another qualifying event).
How to Estimate Your ACA Subsidy in Florida
Your ACA subsidy is based on your projected Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for the year — which includes any unemployment compensation you receive. Key things to know:
- Unemployment benefits count as income for ACA subsidy calculations
- If your income drops below 100% FPL, you may fall into Florida's coverage gap (Medicaid doesn't cover you, and ACA subsidies don't apply below 100% FPL in non-expansion states)
- Severance payments count as income in the year received
- You can adjust your income estimate mid-year if your situation changes