COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives?, social media manager here

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a social media manager. I am in Spokane, in case local advice matters. I saw that marketplace plans might cost less. 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.

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