How long do you have health insurance after leaving a job?

After leaving a job you normally have health insurance for 18 months if you have COBRA coverage. If you leave or lose a job, you have two main options for job-based health insurance:

• You can enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace

  This is your first option for health insurance coverage if you leave a job. This even includes those that lose their jobs for quitting or being terminated. You can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll to get health insurance coverage for the rest of that year. You must apply for Marketplace coverage within 60 days of leaving or losing your job.

• You can sign up for COBRA health insurance coverage

  This is the second option. If you do not already have COBRA coverage once you leave or lose your job, you can sign up. COBRA enables you to keep your job-based health insurance coverage for 18 months after you leave your job. However, you will typically have to pay the full insurance premium and a small administration fee.