Reading Recommendations for Understanding the Obamacare Exchange in New York State?

I would appreciate recommendations for any reading materials, online or offline, that would help me get a better understanding of the ins-and-outs of the Obamacare exchange in New York State, called “New York State of Health.”

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My story.

I quit my job effective September 5, 2022. My health insurance through my employment covered me through the end of September.[1]

Not realizing that in order to have health insurance effective October 1st I would need to sign up by September 15th, I took no action and am currently going without health insurance for the month of October. This is not a huge risk or burden as I am healthy and barring any surprises will not need to make a claim. But I would like to have the security of health insurance going forward — if it can be had at an at least semi-reasonable price.

During the months of September and October, I performed some work on a contractor / 1099 basis. However, although I have issued an invoice to the client for September, I have not yet been paid for that work.

I am unsure how to answer the questions on the New York State of Health website that regard my income since leaving my job. I performed work and have an account receivable that will very likely be paid. However, I did not have any actual income. When I answer the questions as if I have no current income, the website says further verification is needed before I can be enrolled in Medicaid.

When I answer the questions as if I do have current income, I am permitted to enroll in the exchange plans. But I am definitely feeling lost amidst the profusion of options on the exchange. The least expensive ones are almost $ 500 / month and seem really shitty.

I am in my mid-30s, in good health, rarely visit doctors, and have substantial savings that can be used to cover any minor issues. What I need is insurance that will protect me and my assets if anything really serious happens.

[1] The employer is too small to be subject to COBRA, and although New York has a law analogous to COBRA that does not exempt small employers, I don’t feel the employer’s health insurance is good or cheap enough to make it worth it. The employer is a small business which bought the employees’ policy through New York’s small business exchange.