COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? (Boston)

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a quality inspector. I worked as a quality inspector before this. My old employer will not help with the premium. Did anyone switch mid-year?

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

If you have a planned treatment, COBRA can make sense for a few months. Otherwise look at the marketplace first.