COBRA Alternatives
COBRA Alternatives health insurance — Texas.
COBRA lets you keep your employer's exact plan after leaving a job — but you pay 100% of the premium plus a 2% admin fee. For most Texans, that's $600–$1,500+/month per person. An equivalent individual plan often runs a fraction of that, especially if you qualify for premium tax credits. Losing job-based coverage is a Qualifying Life Event, so we can enroll you outside Open Enrollment.
Who this fits
- Recently laid-off, fired, or voluntarily resigned Texans
- People reviewing their COBRA election letter
- Spouses losing dependent coverage
- Workers reducing hours below benefits eligibility
i. What you get
How cobra alternatives works with us.
Real benefits, not generic talking points. Here’s what you actually get when you work with Harrison Health.
Cost comparison vs. COBRA
We pull your COBRA election letter rate and compare it apples-to-apples against marketplace and private plans in your ZIP.
Premium subsidy review
Your income may have just dropped — meaning you likely qualify for premium tax credits you didn't qualify for before. Most COBRA-replacement clients save 50%+.
Network continuity
If keeping your current doctor or specialist matters, we filter for plans that include your network — sometimes the same as your old employer plan.
60-day decision window
You have 60 days from your coverage end date to elect COBRA. We help you decide before that deadline closes — and if a better option exists, we enroll you in it.
ii. FAQ
Frequently asked.
- How much can I save by switching from COBRA to an individual plan?
- Most Texans we work with save $300–$700/month by replacing COBRA with an individual plan — and that's before factoring in premium tax credits, which can drop the number further. The exact savings depend on your old plan, your new household income, and your ZIP.
- Will I lose my doctors if I leave COBRA?
- Not necessarily. Many marketplace and private plans share networks with employer plans — particularly the major BCBS Texas, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna PPO networks. We check your providers against each option before recommending.
- Is losing my job a Qualifying Life Event?
- Yes. Loss of job-based coverage triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP), letting you enroll in an individual plan outside Open Enrollment. The SEP runs from your coverage-loss date.
- Should I take COBRA for the first month and then switch?
- Usually no. Electing COBRA can complicate your SEP eligibility and create gaps. The cleaner path is enrolling directly in an individual plan effective the day after your employer coverage ends — we coordinate the timing.
Next step
Get your free quote in three minutes.
A licensed Texas advisor reviews your situation and brings back two or three plans that fit. No pressure, no spam, no cost.