Be extremely careful if you find yourself resigning from a job and choosing to go on COBRA (”Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) health benefits.  You will not have insurance between when your employer terminates your coverage and the COBRA coverage begins.  Your insurance group will tell you it’s retroactive through the day after your plan terminates, but if you need prescriptions during that time, or a doctor visit, hospitalization, surgery, emergency room treatment–any medical care–you will not have an valid insurance card.  You will have to pay out of pocket. COBRA benefits cost more than your typical health benefits, and of course–since you have no paycheck for them to be taken from–you’ll definitely notice the difference of paying up front for health care: our benefits are expected to cost $1200/month.  They can charge you up to 102% of the cost your plan, and the benefits last a maximum of 18 months.