Health insurance gap after a layoff - what worked for you?

My employer coverage ended at the end of the month and I am trying to work out what to do as a welding apprentice. I worked as a welding apprentice before this. I do not want a gap in coverage. What did you choose and how was the process?

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.