COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? - 5 months and counting

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a project coordinator. There are 9 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky. How did you decide?

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