My family and I are offered health benefits through my job, but we can’t afford to enroll. My employer pays 100% of the premium for workers, but contributes nothing toward the cost of adding my spouse and kids. Can we try to find a better deal on the Marketplace?

Yes, you can. Since your employer pays 100% of the premium to cover you, you will not be eligible for premium tax credits, but your spouse and children may be eligible for financial assistance on the Marketplace, depending on the affordability of your employer’s family coverage.

If the premium contribution you would have to pay to cover your spouse and kids under your employer plan is more than 9.96% of your household income in 2026, their coverage would be considered unaffordable and they could qualify for premium tax credits through the Marketplace.

Browse more questions in the Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage and the Marketplace section.