COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? - any advice?

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a payroll clerk. Thank you in advance. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky. Is the decision time really that tight?

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

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