COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? - 13 months and counting

The COBRA quote for my family is $700 a month and I do not know how to afford it. It has been a long 19 weeks. My old employer will not help with the premium. Is the decision time really that tight?

I priced both side by side: total yearly cost, doctors in network and the deductible. Marketplace was cheaper for us, but only because our doctors were covered.

A quick call to the plan's member line cleared up two things for us that the letter did not.