Obamacare vs. Cobra

They are entirely different and serve different purposes. Cobra is an existing private plan you can pay in full yourself from previous employment. It will depend on the previous plan and is not subsidized.

while Obama are has a yearly enrollment period, usually Oct/Nov

I thought you could enroll in Obamacare during the year if something causes you to lose insurance, such as losing your job?

That is true R3. You can pick up an exchange plan at any time of the year if you have a "qualifying" event. It is usually losing coverage, having a child, marriage, or divorce. Moving sometimes works (depends on if your current plan offers coverage in your new location).

If you, in any way, shape or form, qualify for subsides, ACA (Obamacare) plans are the better (and cheaper) bet. The only time I'd take COBRA is if you are biding time until your new job's insurance kicks in (or until Medicare kicks in). Otherwise, it is just too expensive.

Of course, if you have expensive health issues, and you know that you have something down the pipe (6-9 months) it may be worth it just to not deal with the drama, but it really depends.

Obamacare is for communists whereas Cobra is for patriots.

Had both in past 2 years. Obamacare was a little cheaper ($870 vs $975). But in NY, Ocare requires referrals for everything. Which is a pain in the ass. I miss my COBRA. I wish there was an Ocare plan that didn’t require referrals,

[quote]But in NY, Ocare requires referrals for everything.

There's only one plan in NY? Aren't they required to have different types of plans (Bronze, Silver, Gold) at different levels of coverage?

Yes NY has lot so different plans but ALL of them require referrals. Pisses me off - you literally can not buy one without referrals unless you get it through an employer.

Why are you even comparing these, OP? They’re not remotely the same thing.

Because, r9, I want to retire by no later than age 60, and get obamacare. At age 63 1/2 I may decide to do cobra for 18 months until medicare kicks in.