I was pricing insurance this week to determine if I wanted to go COBRA or ACA exchange. The coveredCA website was less helpful than the einsurance.com website. On einsurance they let you filter options by whether you’re ok with a more limited network.
I found that my employer plan, even at full COBRA prices – is a much better deal than what I can get via an unsubsidized private plan. Equivalent plan outside of COBRA is $700 more per month. Proof again, that employers can use their negotiation to get better deals. I was comparing Kaiser Permanente prices, since I’m a satisfied Kaiser customer.