I was laid off in August 2025 and was thinking COBRA might be the answer but it wasn't. Oracle COBRA is extremely expensive due to the quality of coverage it offers. It really makes you appreciate what a great benefit Oracle health insurance is. We (family of 6) looked into ACA but that was also ridiculously expensive in North Carolina - the most basic level of cover was $3500 a month with deductibles and copays that made it unusable except for life threatening situations. If you go to church (I know it sounds weird to have that caveat) you can get religious based medical coop coverage which is a lot cheaper but you need a letter from your pastor etc (a friend uses MediShare and finds that to be really good). If you don't fit that requirement we found a company Knew Health that offered similar benefits but without the religious requirement. I have no connection to Knew Heath other than being a customer of theirs, I am just sharing the best that we found after months of searching.
8 replies (most recent on top)
Move to West Virginia and apply to Coal miner jobs. Every Mine in the state of West Virginia is hiring coal miners at all levels right now. Some mines are offering a signing bonus, but that's only for experienced coal miners who got grit and the skills to back it up. If you hustle and move to West Virginia, you could have a job within days and Medical Insurance that starts on your first day of work.
The main concern though is if you can pass the mandatory dr-g test?
If you are one of the many being laid off in Seattle, you probably will test positive, as you usually do.
Or see if you can get on Medicaid. Eligibility is based on your last months income, which will be zero a month after your last severance check.
If you need to see a doctor, go to emergency and claim you are undocumented. As long as they can't figure out who are - and they can't if you don't share any personal information, you won't be charged.
Look in your area for a Health Markets broker. See what they have to say.
The problem with ACA is that it is based on a calendar year, so whatever you've made for 2026, plus your severance, counts against the 400% of Federal Poverty Level subsidy limit, which is a little over $80K for 2026 for two people. If you had a lot of years and received, say, four months severance, added to your three months of salary, plus (potentially) a spouses' income, you will get no subsidy. You can still get insurance on the exchanges, but without a subsidy, Cobra might be a better option.
Just remember, that in 2026, the "cliff" returned, so you have to be very careful about your income if you do receive subsidies. Going ONE Dollar over the 400% FPL limit can cost you tens of thousands in penalties and subsidy clawbacks.
Join the army,.or commit a felony and go to prison.
For the USA? Checkout out the Affordable Care Act (ACA, e.g. Obama Care) registry in your state, although these days it's skyrocketing.