COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? - 5 weeks in

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. There are 12 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. My old employer will not help with the premium. Did anyone switch mid-year?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.