Can you get Obamacare if you have a COBRA?
Asked by: Celestino Goodwin | Last update: June 7, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (11 votes)
Can I have COBRA and ACA at the same time?
If you have both COBRA coverage and Covered California at the same time, and you receive financial help to help you pay your Covered California premium, when you file your federal taxes, state taxes, or both, you will have to pay back some or all of the financial help you received for the months that you also had COBRA ...
Is COBRA ending a qualifying event for Obamacare?
However, the loss of COBRA is not a qualifying event if you cancel before the end of the COBRA term maximum, or fail to pay the monthly premiums on time. In this case, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
What is the COBRA loophole?
If you decide to enroll in COBRA health insurance, your coverage will be retroactive, meaning it will apply to any medical bills incurred during the 60-day decision period. This loophole can save you money by avoiding premium payments unless you actually need care during this time.
How long can you get a COBRA after you quit your job?
COBRA coverage lets you pay to stay on your job-based health insurance for a limited time after your job ends (usually 18 months). You usually pay the full premium yourself, plus a small administrative fee.
COBRA Insurance | What You Need to Know
What is the 105 day COBRA loophole?
So, if you maxed out the 60 day election period plus the 45 day payment period, you could actually go 105 days without paying for the coverage.
Can I get Obamacare if I have COBRA?
During Marketplace Open Enrollment, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan even if you already have COBRA. You will have to drop your COBRA coverage effective on the date your new Marketplace plan coverage begins.
How do you keep a COBRA for 36 months?
Second Qualifying Event - If you are receiving an 18-month maximum period of continuation coverage, you may become entitled to an 18-month extension (giving a total maximum period of 36 months of continuation coverage) if you experience a second qualifying event that is the death of a covered employee, the divorce or ...
How much does COBRA typically cost per month?
COBRA coverage is not cheap.
A COBRA premium can cost on average $400 to $700 a month per person.
Who is not eligible for Obamacare?
Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.
Does Obamacare check income?
When you fill out a Marketplace application, you'll need to estimate what your household income for the year. Marketplace savings are based on your expected household income for the year you want coverage, not last year's income. You'll be asked about your current monthly income and then about your yearly income.
Is it better to use COBRA or Obamacare?
ACA plans may offer significant cost savings through subsidies that aren't available under COBRA. By transitioning to an ACA plan, you can often find more affordable coverage without waiting until COBRA expires, giving you flexibility in managing your healthcare costs.
How does COBRA affect taxes?
Are my COBRA premiums deductible? Yes they are tax deductible as a medical expense. There isn't necessarily a “COBRA Tax Deduction”. You can only deduct the amount of COBRA medical expenses on your federal income tax in excess of 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and then only if you itemize deductions.
What are my options after COBRA runs out?
Once you have used up all your COBRA benefits, you may be able to get an extension of coverage under Cal-COBRA. When all COBRA/Cal-COBRA extensions are exhausted, you can get individual health insurance under HIPAA (see below) or you may purchase a policy on the individual market.
What is the 18 month rule for COBRA?
When Federal COBRA ends, eligible employees can buy 18 months additional health coverage under Cal-COBRA. All qualified beneficiaries are generally eligible for continuation coverage for 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary's benefits would otherwise have terminated.
Why is COBRA so expensive?
Why is COBRA more expensive than employer-sponsored insurance? COBRA is more expensive because the individual is responsible for the entire premium amount without the employer's financial contribution that is provided during active employment.
What happens if I turn 65 while on COBRA?
In addition, a COBRA carrier may be able to bill you for any benefits paid by mistake when Medicare should have paid first. If you're already on COBRA when you become eligible for Medicare, you will lose your COBRA benefits and none of this applies to you.
Can you get Medicaid if you have COBRA?
For many people, COBRA, the insurance you can buy into when you lose your job, is too expensive. And even if you decide to enroll in COBRA, it doesn't mean you can't apply for Medicaid. You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid any time.
Can I get Obamacare if I have no income?
Unemployed people can get medical insurance through the state and federal health insurance marketplace plans. Marketplace plans are sold during Open Enrollment, which happens every year from November 1 through January 15.
What to do when a COBRA is too expensive?
If you decide COBRA is too expensive, consider a Marketplace health insurance plan for your coverage needs.
What is the loophole for COBRA coverage?
Understanding the 60-Day Loophole
It's not so much of a loophole, but two 60-day windows of time to remember. You have a 60-day window following the end of your employer-sponsored plan to select COBRA coverage or choose a new plan in the individual ACA marketplace.
Who pays for COBRA after termination?
(California passed a similar law known as “Cal-COBRA.”) Under COBRA, the group plan health insurance plan made available to terminated workers provides the exact same benefits as they would receive if they were still a member of the group, except that the employees have to pay the employer's cost of providing the ...
Can you go on COBRA twice?
It may be possible for qualified beneficiaries to extend their original 18-month period of COBRA continuation coverage for an additional 18 months (for a total maximum coverage period of 36 months) if they experience a second qualifying event. Second qualifying events are: Death of the covered employee.