You lost your job. Do this in the next week.

Day 1: get the dates

Ask HR when medical, pharmacy, and DME coverage ends. Request the COBRA notice timeline, monthly premium, plan documents, current deductible totals, and a contact for urgent benefits questions. Download recent EOBs and authorization letters before you lose portal access.

Day 2: compare COBRA and the Marketplace

COBRA usually preserves the same network, formulary, deductible progress, and authorizations, but you generally pay the full premium plus an administrative fee. Marketplace coverage may be subsidized and cheaper, but can reset the deductible and change every diabetes vendor you use.

Loss of job-based coverage creates a Marketplace special enrollment period, generally 60 days before and after the loss. COBRA election rights don't mean you should wait until that window closes. Voluntarily dropping COBRA later may not create a new Marketplace enrollment right outside open enrollment.

Day 3: check Medicaid using current income

For many applicants, Medicaid eligibility is based on current monthly household income, not simply last year's tax return. Rules vary by state and eligibility category. Apply through the state or Marketplace and report severance or unemployment benefits accurately.

Days 4–5: protect supplies

Ask the prescriber for allowable refills before coverage ends, an emergency backup plan, and new prior-authorization support. Identify manufacturer cash cards, PAPs, urgent-need programs, an FQHC, and a pharmacy that can process them. PAPs with complete online applications may move quickly, but no manufacturer timeline should be treated as guaranteed.

Days 6–7: choose and test the path

Enroll, document the confirmation, and calendar premium and effective dates. Map insulin, CGM, pump supplies, and glucagon to the new channels. If there will be a gap, use the Glucopath matcher and the emergency insulin guide now, not after the gap starts.

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