Gap between employer and subsidized-ACA insurance: what to do?

Depends on how much you use your insurance. I was covered for 5 months under my employer plan, and the COBRA rate with all the fees was right in between the cost of an ACA bronze and silver plan.

The employer plan is Cadillac level, and hubby hit his OOP max a few weeks ago. He's literally in surgery right now, getting a shoulder surgery repair that he probably could have held off for another year with pain mgmt instead, but this is one of those opportunities where it makes sense to forge ahead, and my former employer gets to pick up the tab, in full, for the surgery, follow up care, and physical therapy.

He's contemplating a procedure for sinus relief next, and we have several months before the deductible resets in Jan.

If we could stay on COBRA for longer than the 18 month period, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Not going to be one answer that's best for everyone as there are many personal factors. First, you don't "need" to seek an alternative to ACA in this situation. You may want to, perhaps because of the cost-to-benefit trade-off, but it isn't necessary. You could budget for the cost in advance and plan accordingly. Some early retirees may be in a situation where it isn't realistic to keep taxable income low enough to qualify for subsidies. That's one of those personal factors.

Any choice you make needs to be confirmed in writing based on your specific plan benefits. Some options include: Term employment after Nov 1 with understanding that you can retroactively enroll in COBRA within 60 days if necessary. Purchase a short-term medical plan (this is state dependent, could work in KY but I'm told there are few/no short-term medical plans in OH). Purchase personal non-ACA insurance with a broker if underwriting doesn't present any issues. Enroll in a healthshare. Spend this time traveling outside the US and use your travel medical plan (and HSA). Go without coverage (not adviseable, but it's an option).

Also, if your income is effectively zero, you could enroll in Medicaid. Some states auto-enroll based on income. If you're trying to do this intentionally, you'll need to watch strategies like Roth conversions.

Other "not exactly FIRE" strategies are spousal benefits, part-time job w/ benefits, enrolling in on-campus college for student insurance, or some other "retirement employment" that offers medical benefits.

I recommend comparing against the cost of COBRA (employer health care continuation) for the remainder of the year as an alternative and then switch to ACA Jan 1.

COBRA can be expensive because you have to pay both employee and employer portion plus up to 2% admin fee, but it still may be less than unsubsidized ACA.

Also, if you have already used your deductible, it is a way to preserve that, whereas switching to a new plan mid-year resets your deductible back to $0.

I’m in the situation myself with leaving corporate in early July. So you have two months in which to decide cobra or elect into ACA. Our plan is to wait till the end of those two months without signed up for anything and as long as no emergencies then sign up for ACA. Basically skip two months of premiums and over that time pay via cash for any small items needed (chiropractor and prescriptions). Doesn’t work if you have ongoing items but in that case you probably already hit deductible so stay with cobra and pay the price

also, if you have a small business, there are aca plans for small business that come at a great discount.