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 quality inspector. It has been a long 6 weeks. I do not want a gap in coverage. How fast did coverage start?

Losing job-based coverage usually opens a special enrolment window, so check the deadline on the official marketplace site. I missed it by a day once and regretted it.