The answer depends on individual circumstances. In my case, since I qualify under MR75, if I was offered VTP yesterday and took it, I would have health benefits as if I was still working through at least 12/31/26. YMMV. If you are represented, read your contract.
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How about retiree medical, dental and vision for about $185 a month. That is not bad at all.
Retiree Medical works for me . It is expensive at $185.00 for medical, dental, and vision. High deductible at $3,000 but you can use your HSA, that should cover it.
I’d go on the spouses policy.
Binding health coverage to a job is id--tic and just another way to give corporations more power. They have us dying to get a job.
Don’t get sick
You cross over to Mexico and drink Corona. After a 6 pack, you lose your papers, join up with migrants who illegally sneak in, take a bus to New York & don't speak English then show up at a NY hospital - who will treat you for free and put your bill on those of us who have insurance. Then Uber to the Roosevelt & check in as a "migrant" means same as illegal but nicer term & order off the room service menu & life the life of Riley.
No need to work or pay for anything including insurance. Your NY's guest.
You get another job or you pay through the nose with money that you'll likely not have to buy it. There is no magic answer. We need to move away from the employer-based model and just get it over with.
You go to your county hospital if there's any major health event where they have to treat you regardless of your employment status. Don't go to your doctor if you have a little sniffle or sneeze a couple of times, treat it with over the counter meds.
Obamacare is also an option. Lots of places offer high deductible plans for people that don’t have options or are self employed. Really all you need is the most basic cheapest option. Another option that works, even with insurance is to ask your Dr about a cash option to pay for things, a lot of times I’ve found the cash option to be cheaper than what I have to pay with insurance, so yeah there’s that. Only way I’d do a cobra plan would be if I had some serious illness that required me to stay insured to keep that covered until I got another job.
COBRA is the most expensive (and outrageous). It's essentially your current company insurance plan minus T's contribution (or subsidized rate). UHC wanted over $1,800 a month for me and my spouse. Even when I didn't signup for it, they kept billing me for it. Took 6 months to get it cleared up. And I heard the same from other former employees.
I am using insurance through my new employer.
After a layoff, there is often a period of paid Cobra that depends on how long you have been employed. After that, you can pay for Cobra or access the Obamacare site at https://www.healthcare.gov/ . Then there is private insurance or retiree insurance if eligible. See if you can get coverage from a spouse.
Best way is to get a new job, and sooner rather than later in case the economy takes a digger.