COBRA rates are 3-4x higher than individual plan insurance every time I've heard about them.
In a rapid-churn economy like tech, where people often strike out on their own and companies cease to exist etc., the few $K a year it takes to maintain your own individual plan is something everyone should consider. As you age, starting a new private plan becomes frighteningly expensive, and if ACA doesn't stick, it may become impossible again for many people.
At various times, I've used COBRA, I've had individual plans, and I've had group plans for which I've paid the full premium. I've never seen a difference of anywhere remotely close to 3-4x for COBRA versus an equivalent individual plan.
I only have two personal anecdotes, one 3x and one > 4x. Both for people in their 20s, and I don't know the math but I can imagine that in group plans where rates are flat, young people cost more to insure than individually and older people cost less.
Couldn't find any good data but here's a post representative of the top few google hits for COBRA vs. private:
The times I was on COBRA in California, it's been around 3x what I would have paid if I'd been eligible for an individual plan.
Is it possible you've had individual coverage in a state where such coverage is guaranteed-issue? That would account for a lack of distinction between group and individual rates.
I'm in Texas. I know that at until the start of this year, if you didn't have any access to a group plan (including via COBRA), and you applied for an individual plan and were refused, then there is significantly more expensive coverage that you can get through some program offered by the state and Blue Cross. Though that may not exist in the post-ACA world where no one is supposed to be denied coverage any more.
