Short answer: Ask your new employer for the exact date coverage starts; it may not be your first day. Houston Electrical JATC, for example, says insurance takes effect about 5 months after full-time work starts. To cover the months in between, compare two common options. COBRA lets you keep your old employer’s group plan for a limited time if that employer had 20 or more employees, but you may pay up to 102% of the plan’s cost. A Marketplace plan is the other route: losing qualifying job-based coverage generally gives you 60 days before or after the coverage ends to enroll. COBRA ending because it expires can also qualify, but voluntarily canceling COBRA early generally does not trigger a new Special Enrollment Period.
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Tsai Electro is an independent learning site. Not affiliated with HealthCare.gov, the Department of Labor or any apprenticeship program. This is general information, not insurance or legal advice.
Coverage gap calculator
Coverage gap calculator
Enter the waiting period, how long your old employer coverage continues, and estimated costs for each option. Both month counts start from your last day at your old job. This is a rough monthly budget comparison, not a coverage-date calculator; premiums can depend on calendar-month billing and plan start dates, so confirm the date your old insurance ends, the date replacement coverage begins, and every enrollment and payment deadline. A timely application does not always mean coverage starts right away. Replace all example values with your own, using your COBRA notice and HealthCare.gov.
- Total months from your last day at your old job until your new employer’s insurance begins, including any time between jobs and any waiting period after you start
- Months your old employer’s health insurance continues after your last day
- COBRA premium per month, from your COBRA notice
- Expected monthly out-of-pocket medical costs under COBRA
- Estimated Marketplace premium per month after any savings you qualify for now; update it if your income or job-based coverage offer changes
- Expected monthly out-of-pocket medical costs under the Marketplace plan
Your options for the gap
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| COBRA | Applies to group health plans of employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year. You can usually keep the same plan temporarily and may pay up to 102% of its cost. Federal law gives you at least 60 days to elect COBRA, ending no earlier than 60 days after the later of your coverage ending or receiving the election notice. Check your notice for payment deadlines. |
| Marketplace plan | Losing qualifying job-based coverage generally gives you 60 days before or after it ends to enroll. COBRA that expires or is no longer available can qualify; voluntarily canceling COBRA or stopping payments does not, so you would wait for Open Enrollment unless another life event applies. |
| Medicaid or CHIP | If you or your children lost Medicaid or CHIP, HealthCare.gov says you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period within 90 days. Check eligibility for your household. |
| A spouse’s or parent’s plan | Contact its benefits administrator before your current coverage ends. Ask whether losing your coverage lets you join, what documents are needed, the enrollment deadline and the date coverage would begin. |
Questions for your new employer
- On what date does my health insurance start?
- Does the waiting period count from my hire date or from full-time status?
- What will my share of the premium be per paycheck?
- Will I receive a written benefits summary showing my eligibility date, premium, deductible and coverage details?
To compare offers with and without insurance, use the base pay, raises and benefits comparison. Add the gap premium to your cash gap planner.
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When does health insurance start for an apprentice electrician?
It depends on the employer. Houston Electrical JATC says its apprentices’ insurance takes effect about 5 months after full-time work starts. Ask your employer for the exact date.
Can I keep my old health insurance while I start an apprenticeship?
Possibly. Federal COBRA generally applies to group health plans sponsored by employers with at least 20 employees in the prior year. Eligibility also depends on your coverage and qualifying event. You may pay up to 102% of the plan’s cost.
How long do I have to sign up for a Marketplace plan after losing job coverage?
Generally 60 days before or after you lose job-based coverage. If you lost Medicaid or CHIP, HealthCare.gov says 90 days.
