Health insurance after a job loss, in numbers

Lose job-based coverage and you get two doors and a clock: COBRA at the full premium, or a Marketplace plan whose price depends on where your household income sits against the federal poverty level. These are the figures that decide it.

Figures verified 2026-09-07 · next scheduled change 2026-10-15

2026 – 2027 · Health insurance

The COBRA and Marketplace figures for 2026 and 2027
Figure	Value	Applies	Source
The statutory subsidy cliff applies again from 2026 after the enhanced credits lapsed.	No premium tax credit above 400% of the federal poverty level	2026-01-01	1 ↗
The ARPA/IRA enhanced premium tax credits applied through plan year 2025 and lapsed on 2025-12-31.	Expired — not extended (no law enacted as of September 6, 2026)	2026-01-01	2 ↗
Applicable percentage of household income toward the benchmark Silver plan, by income as a percentage of FPL, for 2026.	2.10% – 9.96% of household income	2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31	1 ↗
The same table for 2027, under a revised premium-growth methodology.	2.15% – 10.22% of household income	2027-01-01 to 2027-12-31	3 ↗
Employer-coverage affordability threshold for plan years beginning in 2026.	9.96%	2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31	1 ↗
Employer-coverage affordability threshold for plan years beginning in 2027.	10.22%	2027-01-01 to 2027-12-31	3 ↗
Federal Marketplace open enrollment for 2027 coverage; December 15, 2026 is the deadline for coverage starting January 1.	November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027	2026-11-01 to 2027-01-15	4 ↗
Special enrollment period for loss of job-based coverage.	60 days after (and up to 60 days before) losing job-based coverage	long-standing	5 ↗
The most a plan may charge for standard COBRA continuation coverage.	102% of the plan's cost	long-standing	6 ↗
You have 60 days from the later of coverage loss or the date the election notice is provided to elect COBRA.	60 days	long-standing	7 ↗
The first COBRA premium is due within 45 days of electing coverage.	45 days	long-standing	7 ↗
COBRA duration after termination of employment or a reduction of hours.	18 months	long-standing	7 ↗
Federal COBRA applies to group health plans of employers with 20 or more employees.	20 or more employees	long-standing	6 ↗
26 CFR §1.36B-1(h) fixes which year’s poverty guidelines a coverage year uses.	Use the guidelines in effect when open enrollment for that coverage year opened	long-standing	8 ↗

The enhanced premium tax credits are the single figure on this site most likely to move. As of 2026-09-07: Expired — not extended (no law enacted as of September 6, 2026). This row is re-checked monthly and hard-checked before 2026-11-01, because every 2027 premium on this site depends on it. CRS R48290; Rev. Proc. 2026-26 ↗

06Work out your own figure

COBRA vs Marketplace calculatorYour state, household size, income and premium in — the total cost of each option over the months you need cover, out.Open →

In this section

COBRA vs Marketplace calculatorwhat each really costs over the months you need cover, with the credit worked out→The applicable percentage tablewhat you are expected to pay toward the benchmark plan, band by band→COBRA basicswho is covered, for how long, and what the employer may charge→Open enrollment datesthe federal window, the January 1 coverage deadline, and where state exchanges differ→The premium tax credithow it is worked out, how it is reconciled, and what happens if your income moves→

The 400% subsidy cliffone dollar of income over the line and the whole premium tax credit goes→Federal poverty level tablesthe guidelines by household size and region, and which year applies to which coverage year→The 60-day special enrollment windowlosing job coverage opens it; dropping COBRA on purpose does not→Is COBRA worth it?the cases where the more expensive option is still the right one→

Questions

Is there still a subsidy cliff at 400 percent of the federal poverty level?

Yes. Expired — not extended (no law enacted as of September 6, 2026), so the original schedule applies: No premium tax credit above 400% of the federal poverty level. That status is checked again before 2026-11-01, and the 2027 applicable-percentage table published in July 2026 still stops at 400 percent.

How much can my employer charge me for COBRA?

102% of the plan's cost — the full premium, the employer share included, plus a two percent administration charge. You have 60 days to elect it and 45 days after electing to make the first payment.

How long do I have to buy a Marketplace plan after losing job coverage?

60 days after (and up to 60 days before) losing job-based coverage. Electing COBRA does not close that window, but once it has closed, voluntarily dropping cobra is not a qualifying life event — only exhausting COBRA opens a new one.

Also

Every 2027 US money limit on one pagethe 2027 applicable percentages and everything else already published→ The money calendaropen enrollment opens November 1, 2026→

Sources

IRC §36B(c)(1)(A); Rev. Proc. 2025-25 / 2026-26 tables · accessed 2026-09-07
CRS R48290; Rev. Proc. 2026-26 · accessed 2026-09-07
Rev. Proc. 2026-26 (issued 2026-07-21) · accessed 2026-09-07
HealthCare.gov — dates and deadlines · accessed 2026-09-07
HealthCare.gov — special enrollment period · accessed 2026-09-07
DOL — continuation of health coverage (COBRA) · accessed 2026-09-07
DOL — FAQs on COBRA continuation health coverage for workers · accessed 2026-09-07
26 CFR §1.36B-1(h) · accessed 2026-09-07

Information, not advice, and not an insurance quote. Premiums, benchmark plans and eligibility depend on your county, your household and your plan year. Confirm eligibility and get a real quote at HealthCare.gov or your state exchange, and confirm COBRA terms with your plan administrator or the Department of Labor.