Your options, in the order we check them
- A private health plan. Individual coverage you buy directly, often available any time of year. Usually the first comparison for people in reasonably good health.
- COBRA. Keeps your exact employer plan, same doctors and deductible progress. After leaving a job it generally lasts up to 18 months, and you pay the full premium plus a small administrative fee (up to 2%).
- A spouse’s employer plan. Losing your coverage generally lets you join a spouse’s plan within 30 days.
- Retiree coverage. Some employers offer it. Ask HR before your last day.
- The Marketplace, as a fallback. Losing job-based coverage generally opens a 60-day special enrollment window. Savings depend on household income, which often drops in early retirement.
Timing tips
- Get your exact coverage end date from HR first. Every deadline counts from it.
- Plan the first year of retirement income carefully. It can change which options cost least.
- If you’re married and one of you keeps working, compare covering both of you on that plan with splitting coverage.
- Make a list of your doctors and prescriptions before comparing anything.
What we look at with you
- Total yearly cost: premium plus deductible plus the care you expect, not just the monthly price.
- Whether your doctors and hospitals are in network.
- How each option handles pre-existing conditions.
- How long you need the coverage to last.
Common questions
Should I just take COBRA?+
Sometimes it’s the right call, especially if you’re mid-treatment or have already met your deductible. But it’s often the most expensive option, so compare it first.
Can I buy a plan before my employer coverage ends?+
Yes. Many plans can be lined up ahead of time so there’s no gap. Call or text us before your last day.
Does my income in retirement matter?+
For the Marketplace, yes: savings are based on household income. For private plans, price depends on the plan, not your income.
Take the free Find My Plan quiz, or talk with a licensed agent by phone or text. Call or text Jeff at 817-980-8804 (licensed in 28 states) or Amy Herdine at 817-470-2229 (licensed in Texas).
General information, not legal, tax or medical advice. Plan rules and availability vary.
