COBRA Retroactively Terminated For Non-Payment?

I’ve been Googling the crap out of this question and can’t seem to find a concrete answer…

I recently changed jobs and needed to elect Cobra for one month, because my new job’s insurance didn’t kick in until the first of the month following my hire (7/1), and I started on June 6.

I did not pay the COBRA premium right away, because it stated I had a 45-day grace period until July 16 to pay the premium of $1,828 for my wife and myself (not sure if that’s expensive comparatively but this is a top-tier plan.)

In any case, I am now approaching 7/16 and wondering something. Neither of us used the insurance during June, with the exception of a few prescriptions.

What exactly would happen if I didn’t pay the premium? My research seems to say that it would be retroactively terminated to 6/1. If that is the case, would that be detrimental to me? Would my pharmacy somehow be notified and then come after me for the money owed to them, had I not had insurance at the time I filled them?

I realize that while this might not be the most ethical or responsible thing to do, I’m honestly weight the costs of $1,828 versus whatever I would theoretically have to pay back if it’s retro terminated, and I am inclined to just let it lapse.

Anyone have any words of wisdom or advice on this? Or maybe I have it wrong and I’m missing something obvious. In any case, let me know! Thanks much.