Video: Getting affordable health insurance

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These days, Shannon Rohan spends her time at home playing with her kids.

"I got laid off in October," she said.

A single mom, Rohan quickly had to find health insurance. Her severance package covered them under Cobra, but at a hefty price.

"For just the medical it was about $830 if I wanted to include vision and dental it was a little over a thousand,” she said.

So Rohan went online and found a similar plan at a fraction of the cost.

"The plan now costs me $350 a month," she said.

She even got to keep the same doctors.

Sam Gibbs from eHealthInsurance.com says you can go online and buy the brand name plans.

"These are Blue Cross plans, Blue Shield plans, Aetna, United Healthcare, Pacific Care, all of those name brands that provide group coverage, they also provide individual and family coverage,” he said.

And they're often cheaper because you can pick what services you want, instead of corporate plans which offer an umbrella of care.

But don't rule out cobra and other federal programs just yet.

"COBRA is a fantastic thing. You get to continue your group health coverage and if you have a pre-existing condition, that is something we recommend that you pursue," said Christina Clem, AARP.

For Rohan, the choice was easy.

"Savings of $500 a month is absolutely critical for a lot of reasons because No. 1, I'm not working and 2, it's Christmastime," she said.

Whether it's a federal program, a plan you buy online, or cobra, the most important thing is to make sure you don't go without health insurance. You usually have about 30 days after a layoff to enroll.

Experts say you should take the time to shop around and find the plan that's best for you.