COBRA Cost Calculator
Get accurate, jargon-free estimates of your continuation premium.
Results in under 30 seconds.
Choose Your Calculation Method
This includes both your portion and your employer's portion
You can find this on your benefits statement or ask HR
Why We Don't Ask for Your Phone Number
Plenty of free "health insurance quote" tools are built to collect contact details rather than to answer a question. The calculator is the hook; the phone number field is the product, and the lead is passed on to brokers who paid for it. That business model is legal and common, which is exactly why it is worth knowing about before you type anything in.
Why this matters here: we have no way to measure how often that happens, and we are not going to invent a number for it. What we can tell you is how this site is built: the COBRA calculator asks for premium figures and nothing else. It has no phone, email, or address field, no "get a free quote" step, and no broker partner to hand anything to.
If you do want to talk to someone, the safest route is a service that cannot earn a commission on your decision, your state’s Department of Insurance or the free counselling programs listed further down this page.
At CobraCalculator.com, we believe that navigating a job loss or insurance transition is stressful enough without a ringing phone.
Our Promise to You:
100% Anonymous Math
You can estimate your premiums, calculate your per-paycheck deductions, and compare annual costs without entering a phone number, email, or street address.
No "Ghost Brokers"
We do not sell your data to third-party call centers.
Safe Haven for Research
Whether you are budgeting for a layoff or planning an early retirement, you deserve accurate financial data without the harassment of high-pressure sales tactics.
The "Medicare-Spouse" Trap: Don't Get Left Without Coverage
One of the most stressful scenarios for couples approaching retirement occurs when the primary policyholder turns 65 and enrolls in Medicare, but the younger spouse is not yet eligible. In many cases, the younger spouse is suddenly "orphaned" from the employer's group plan, facing a multi-year gap until they reach their own Medicare eligibility at age 65.
Can I Keep COBRA if My Spouse Goes On Medicare?
The short answer is yes. Under federal COBRA law, a spouse's enrollment in Medicare is considered a "Qualifying Event." This means you have an independent right to elect COBRA coverage for yourself, even if your spouse is no longer on the plan.
However, the "trap" is the cost. Without the employer's contribution, the monthly premium often jumps to 102% of the total plan cost. For many healthy 62-year-olds, this can result in a "sticker shock" of $1,200 to $1,800 per month.
Bridging the Gap: 18 Months vs. 36 Months
While standard COBRA for job loss usually lasts 18 months, the rules change when Medicare is involved. If the employee becomes entitled to Medicare before losing their job (or as the reason for losing coverage), the spouse may be eligible for up to 36 months of COBRA coverage. This is a critical distinction for a 62-year-old who needs exactly three years to reach their own Medicare "finish line."
The Oregon Advantage: Spouses Over 55
If you are searching for a health insurance bridge in Oregon, you may have more protection than the rest of the country. Oregon state law (ORS 743.600) provides a unique "State Continuation" benefit for spouses aged 55 or older.
In the event of a spouse's death, divorce, or transition to Medicare, Oregon law allows certain spouses to maintain their group coverage until they become eligible for Medicare or obtain other group coverage—potentially far outlasting the federal 18-month limit.
Why Real People Are Wary of Online Quotes
A "free quote" form and a calculator can look identical from the outside. The difference is what happens after you press the button. A calculator gives you a number back. A lead form gives your number to someone else, and once a phone number has been sold on it cannot be recalled.
A simple test before you fill anything in: ask what each field is for. If a tool needs your phone number, email address, or postcode in order to show you arithmetic it could have done without them, those fields are not there for your benefit.
This site does the math and stops there. Your entries are used in your browser to produce an estimate; there is no contact field, no quote hand-off, and nothing to sell.
The Social Media Trap: Why a "DM" Could Cost You
Shopping for health insurance on social media? You are likely being watched. Many people turn to Facebook groups or Reddit for advice during a layoff, only to be swarmed by "ghost brokers"—unlicensed individuals or automated bots designed to harvest your personal data.
Beware of the "DM Scam"
Posting "I just got laid off, what do I do about insurance?" in a public group is a signal that you are about to buy something, and it is read that way. The replies worth being careful about tend to share a shape:
- Direct Messaging (DMs): Asking you to "chat privately" to avoid public scrutiny of their credentials.
- Number Harvesting: Asking for your phone number under the guise of "giving you a quick quote."
- The Authorizer Trap: Attempting to get you on a three-way call with the Marketplace to "authorize" them on your account—which allows them to collect commissions without providing actual service.
Pro Tip: Verify Before You Trust
If someone on social media claims to be a licensed expert, protect yourself with these three steps:
- Ask for their NPN: Every legitimate insurance agent in the U.S. has a National Producer Number (NPN).
- Verify the Number: Use the NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry) Lookup Tool to see if their license is active in your specific state.
- Check for "Health" Authority: Ensure they are actually licensed for Health Insurance, not just Life or Property.
The Golden Rule
If they won't provide an NPN or they demand your phone number before giving you a price, walk away. Legitimate insurance prices are public record—you shouldn't have to pay with your privacy to see them.
Use our tool to get the transparency you need, keep your privacy intact, and make your healthcare decisions on your own timeline—not a telemarketer's.
Cobra Cost Calculator: The Definitive Guide to Estimating Your COBRA Health-Insurance Premium
When a job change, layoff, or major life event knocks you off your employer's health-insurance plan, COBRA continuation coverage can feel like a financial lifeline—and a financial shock. Fortunately, our Cobra Cost Calculator removes the guesswork, instantly showing you what you'll actually pay each month, per paycheck, and over a full year.
In this in-depth guide we'll explain how the Cobra Cost Calculator works, why COBRA premiums are so high, what factors influence your cost, and proven strategies to keep those costs in check. By the end you'll have everything you need to make a confident, data-driven decision about your health-insurance options.
Table of Contents
What Is COBRA and Why Does It Exist?
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) lets you keep your employer's health insurance after certain life events.
How COBRA Works
When you lose your job-based health insurance, COBRA gives you the right to temporarily continue your coverage. You'll pay the full premium (what you and your employer used to pay combined) plus a small administrative fee.
This ensures you don't have a gap in coverage while you search for new insurance, whether through a new job, the marketplace, or other options.
Qualifying Events
You're eligible for COBRA if you experience one of these events:
- Job loss (voluntary or involuntary)
- Reduction in work hours
- Divorce or legal separation
- Death of covered employee
- Loss of dependent child status
- Employee becomes eligible for Medicare
COBRA Benefits
Same Coverage
Keep your exact same health plan and doctor network
18-36 Months
Coverage typically lasts 18 months, sometimes longer
Family Included
Covers you and your eligible family members
No Health Questions
Guaranteed coverage regardless of health status
⏰ Important Timeline
- • 60 days to elect COBRA coverage
- • 45 days to pay your first premium
- • Coverage can be retroactive to your last day of work
Why COBRA Coverage Is Expensive
When HR deducted premiums from your paycheck, you typically paid only 15–30% of the plan's true cost; your employer subsidized the rest. Under COBRA, you pay both shares + an optional 2% administrative fee. That's why the first COBRA invoice is such a shock.
| Component | Example Cost |
|---|---|
| Employer share | $1,150 / mo |
| Employee share | $350 / mo |
| True monthly premium | $1,500 / mo |
| 2% admin fee | $30 |
| COBRA total | $1,530 / mo |
Knowing this math is vital—but calculating it manually can be tricky if you only know your paycheck deduction. Enter the Cobra Cost Calculator.
Meet the Cobra Cost Calculator
The Cobra Cost Calculator is an online tool that crunches the numbers in seconds. You supply either:
- • Total plan cost per month (employee + employer share),
- • or Your per-paycheck deduction and an estimate of your employer's contribution %
The calculator then:
- • Adds the 2% administrative fee (if applicable).
- • Adjusts for pay frequency—weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly.
- • Displays three clear outputs: cost per paycheck, cost per month, and cost per year.
Because our engine is pre-configured with industry-standard paycheck-to-month conversion factors and up-to-date COBRA regulations, you get a trustworthy estimate every time.
Step-by-Step: How to Use the Cobra Cost Calculator
Choose Your Calculation Method
If you have a recent benefits statement, pick "I know my total plan cost." Otherwise select "I know my paycheck deduction."
Enter Your Numbers
Use whole dollars; cents are optional. Tooltips explain where to find each figure.
Select How Often You're Paid
Weekly, bi-weekly (every 2 weeks), semi-monthly (twice a month), or monthly.
Review the Results Panel
You'll see per-paycheck, monthly, and annual COBRA costs side by side.
Click "Show Math" for Transparency
Understand exactly how the Cobra Cost Calculator reached each number.
Download a PDF or Share Your Estimate
Perfect for budgeting, negotiating severance, or discussing options with HR.
Real-World Scenarios and Sample Calculations
Scenario 1: Single Employee on a PPO Plan
- • Method: "I know my total plan cost"
- • Total plan cost: $800 / mo
- • Admin fee: 2% ($16)
Cobra Cost Calculator output
- • Monthly: $816
- • Annual: $9,792
This method does not ask for a pay frequency, so it reports a monthly figure. If you are paid every two weeks and want to budget per paycheck, divide the annual total by 26: $9,792 ÷ 26 = $376.62.
Scenario 2: Family Coverage, Paycheck Deduction Known
- • Paycheck deduction: $250 (employee share)
- • Estimated employer share: 70%
- • Pay frequency: semi-monthly
Cobra Cost Calculator math
- • Deduction twice a month → $500 employee share monthly
- • Employer share (70%) → $1,166.67
- • True monthly premium → $1,666.67
- • Add 2% fee → $33.33
- • Monthly COBRA: $1,700.00
- • Per paycheck: $850.00
- • Annual: $20,400.00
A $250 line on a payslip becomes a $1,700 monthly bill, because the payslip only ever showed 30% of the real cost.
How to Lower—Or Even Skip—Your COBRA Cost
| Strategy | How It Works | Typical Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace plan | Premium tax credits are based on this year's expected income, not last year's salary. Window shop on HealthCare.gov for your real number. | Depends entirely on your income estimate |
| Spouse's employer plan | Losing your coverage usually opens a special enrollment window on their plan. It is commonly about 30 days, so check this first. | Their employer resumes contributing |
| Medicaid | Eligibility follows current monthly income, which may have changed sharply. No enrollment window; you can apply any time. | Little or no premium if you qualify |
| Short-term medical | Not ACA-compliant. Can exclude pre-existing conditions and skip essential benefits. Read what is excluded before buying. | Lower premium, materially less cover |
| Negotiated severance | Employers fairly often agree to fund some months of COBRA as part of an exit package. Ask while terms are still open, and get it in writing. | Whatever you negotiate |
| Mini-COBRA / state continuation | For employers under 20 staff. Rules, length and deadlines are set state by state and are often shorter than federal COBRA. | Usually priced like COBRA |
| Stay on a parent's plan | Available up to age 26 regardless of student or marital status. | Typically the cheapest route if eligible |
Pro tip: Even if you decide against COBRA, electing it within the 60-day window backdates coverage to the qualifying event—useful if you need expensive care during that gap.
Beyond COBRA: State-Specific Alternatives
If our calculator just gave you a monthly premium that made your jaw drop, you aren't alone. For many people, COBRA is the most expensive path. Before you commit to those high premiums, consider state-specific programs that may provide quality coverage for much less.
Oregon-Specific "Sticker Shock" Alternatives
If you are in Lane County or anywhere in Oregon and our calculator just gave you a monthly premium that made your jaw drop, you aren't alone. For many Oregonians, COBRA is the most expensive path. Before you commit to those high premiums, consider these state-specific programs that provide "Expert-Level" coverage for much less.
The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Bridge: Free Coverage for the "Gap"
In 2024 and 2025, Oregon launched a revolutionary program called OHP Bridge.
- What it is: A completely free health insurance plan (no premiums, no deductibles, no co-pays).
- Who it's for: Adults aged 19–64 who earn slightly too much for standard Medicaid (OHP Plus) but still struggle with private insurance costs.
- The Math: If your annual income is between 133% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $20,820 to $31,300 for a single person in 2026), you may qualify for this instead of paying thousands for COBRA.
SHIBA: The "Anti-Broker" Solution for Lane County Residents
If you want someone to talk through the options with you in Oregon, and you would rather not hand your number to a commercial quote site, call SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance).
- Why it's better: SHIBA is a free, government-funded service. Their counselors are volunteers who cannot sell you insurance and cannot earn commissions.
- How they help: They can sit down with you (in person in Eugene/Springfield or via phone) and objectively compare your COBRA costs against Medicare or Marketplace options.
Contact: You can reach Oregon SHIBA at 1-800-722-4134.
COBRA vs. Marketplace: The Lane County "Network" Factor
In Lane County, providers like PacificSource and Providence are dominant. One reason people keep COBRA is to keep their specific doctor at the PeaceHealth RiverBend or University District hospitals.
The Strategy: Before electing COBRA, use the OregonHealthCare.gov "Window Shopping" tool. It allows you to filter plans by your specific doctor's name. You might find an ACA Marketplace plan that is $800 cheaper than COBRA but still includes your current Lane County physician.
Note: Each state has unique programs and resources. If you're not in Oregon, check with your state's Department of Insurance or Health Insurance Marketplace for state-specific alternatives to COBRA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about COBRA coverage and costs.
Still Have Questions?
COBRA can be complex, and every situation is different. For official guidance, contact your plan administrator or the Department of Labor.
Glossary of COBRA Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Event | Life change that triggers COBRA eligibility—e.g., job loss, divorce, death of covered employee. |
| Election Period | 60-day window for the beneficiary to choose COBRA continuation. |
| Premium Assistance Credit | Temporary government subsidy (e.g., ARPA 2021) covering part or all of COBRA cost. |
| Mini-COBRA | State-level continuation laws for firms with <20 employees. |
| HIPAA Certificate | Proof of prior coverage; COBRA maintains creditable coverage status. |
| Open Enrollment | Annual window to switch ACA marketplace or employer plans; does not override COBRA unless you opt out. |
| Retroactive Start | COBRA can be backdated to the day after coverage ended if elected within the deadline and premiums are paid. |
Final Thoughts
Facing a sudden insurance gap is stressful; the Cobra Cost Calculator transforms uncertainty into clarity. By breaking down your premium per paycheck, per month, and per year—and contextualizing those numbers with real-world examples—you can weigh COBRA against marketplace plans, a spouse's coverage, or Medicaid in minutes.
Bookmark this page, share it with colleagues going through a layoff, and empower everyone to make smarter, budget-friendly health-care decisions.
The decisions that come after the number
Knowing what COBRA costs is the easy part. These guides cover the choices that follow, each one built on federal sources you can check yourself.
- COBRA vs the MarketplaceWhy the cheaper premium is often the more expensive plan, and the five numbers that settle it.
- Every COBRA deadlineThe 60-day election window, the 45-day first payment, and why retroactive coverage changes your options.
- Who qualifies, and for how longThe 20-employee test, 18 versus 36 months, and the disability extension most people never claim.
- COBRA and MedicareThe eight-month clock that starts when your job ends, not when COBRA ends, and the penalty that never goes away.
- Mini-COBRA for small employersTold your employer is too small for COBRA? Most states have their own continuation law. How to check yours.