COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? (update)

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. My old employer will not help with the premium. How did you decide?

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

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