COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? - 3 months and counting

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a logistics coordinator. My old employer will not help with the premium. Is the decision time really that tight?

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.

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.