I highly doubt the plans would be exactly the same. There's endless variety in all of the different plans out there, and usually employer plans aren't available to the public.
Have you tried getting insurance thru the state exchange? When we did (DH was between jobs) it was maddening on our state's exchange - others may be better. Open enrollment thru DH's employer is much easier. Payments are deducted from your paycheck, pre-tax, no bills to remember to pay.
That pre-tax deduction is extra important because we have 2 kids in college. That "income" isn't figured into the EFC, so they receive more aid. If we received the income and purchased health insurance separately, our financial aid would be reduced, since our income looks higher (FAFSA doesn't adjust for health insurance expenses).
