COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? after 18 years as an event coordinator

The COBRA quote for my family is $1150 a month and I do not know how to afford it. This is my first time dealing with any of this. 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.

Check what the notice says about the election period and when coverage starts. Mine allowed a short window to choose.