COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? - what worked for you?

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. My old employer will not help with the premium. Is the decision time really that tight?

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.