What if my job is not giving me health insurance?
Asked by: Ms. Alycia Deckow | Last update: August 23, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (69 votes)
What to do if your job doesn't provide healthcare?
For those without a health plan from their employer, the place to look is the exchange system. For most people, that means going to the Federal Healthcare.gov Health Insurance Marketplace. For others, like my old home in Colorado, or my new state Oregon, the states built their own exchange websites.
Is it mandatory to have health insurance in NM?
Starting Jan. 1, 2019, that federal tax penalty was reduced to nothing and New Mexico does not impose penalties for going without insurance. If you don't have major medical health insurance, you'll be responsible for major health care costs.
Can I sue my employer for not providing health insurance?
It has an obligation to honor that commitment, even though the law does not require it to provide health insurance. Otherwise, an employee can sue the employer to enforce the contract.
How much of your paycheck should go to health insurance?
In 2025, a job-based health plan is considered "affordable" if your share of the monthly premium in the lowest-cost plan offered by the employer is less than 9.02% of your household income. The lowest-cost plan must also meet the minimum value standard.
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Is $200 a month good for health insurance?
Health insurance that costs $200 per month is a good deal in California. Silver plans typically cost $513 per month for a 21-year-old or $656 per month for a 40-year-old. The best way to get cheap rates is to use health insurance subsidies, which lower the cost of an insurance plan based on your income.
How much does it cost an employer to provide health insurance?
Private industry employers typically cover 59% to 80% of healthcare premiums. How much do employers pay for health insurance? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), businesses pay an average of $7,034 to cover individual workers on their team. For family coverage, employers pay an average of $17,393.
What is the penalty for employers who don t provide insurance?
The penalty for each month the employer fails to offer coverage is $2,970 divided by 12, times the number of full-time employees (minus up to 30). The employer must pay a penalty for not offering coverage that is affordable and provides minimum value.
Can I sue my employer for not giving me benefits?
Yes, you may have recourse if your employer promised you vision and dental benefits upon your last contract negotiation but never enrolled you in those benefits. The specific steps you can take will depend on the terms of your employment contract and the laws in your state.
Are employers penalized for not offering health insurance?
The employer shared responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act penalizes employers who either do not offer coverage or do not offer coverage that meets minimum value and affordability standards.
What states is it illegal to not have health insurance?
- California.
- D.C.
- Massachusetts.
- New Jersey.
- Rhode Island.
- Vermont (but there's currently no financial penalty attached to the mandate)
Do I have to get insurance through my employer?
The short answer is no, you don't have to enroll in your employer's health insurance coverage. That said, if job-based health insurance is offered and affordable, it is usually a good option to cover your family's medical needs.
How do I report my employer for not providing health insurance?
An employee can file an Affordable Care Act whistleblower complaint with OSHA by visiting or calling the local OSHA office or sending a written complaint to the closest OSHA office. No particular form is required and complaints may be submitted in any language.
Can I lose my job due to health issues?
California laws protect you when you have a medical condition that impacts your ability to work. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits employer discrimination based on actual or perceived medical conditions, including firing and other adverse employment actions.
Should I accept a job with no health benefits?
If you choose to accept a job with no benefits, you will have to manage your own “benefits.” Patrick calls this “the awareness bump.” You are responsible for not only budgeting the money, but for setting up your necessities like health insurance and paying for them on time each month.
What if your employer does not offer a health insurance benefit?
If your employer doesn't offer you insurance coverage, you can fill out an application through the Marketplace. You'll find out if you qualify for: A health insurance plan with savings on your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs based on your household size and income.
What are three of the rights you have as a worker?
The law says you are protected when you: Speak up about wages that are owed to you • Report an injury or a health and safety hazard • File a claim or complaint with a state agency • Join together with other workers to ask for changes.
Will I lose my job if I sue my employer?
California law, however, prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who engage in protected activities, including filing a lawsuit related to workplace issues.
How much does health insurance cost if not through employer?
The premium you pay depends on factors like plan type, age, and location. For individual health insurance, costs vary based on coverage level. The 2024 average benchmark premium is $477, with ACA marketplace plans showing varying deductibles and monthly premiums.
Can an employer withhold health insurance?
California Labor Code Section 221 prohibits employers from deducting any part of an employee's wages already earned, which typically includes repaying health insurance premiums.
Can a company deny you insurance?
In many states, including California, health insurance carriers can decline to issue a Group Health policy if fewer than 50-75% of employees choose to enroll. Some carriers and administrators have even stricter participation requirements.
How do I know how much my employer pays for health insurance?
Employers that are subject to this requirement should report the value of the health care coverage in Box 12 of the Form W-2 PDF, with Code DD to identify the amount. There is no reporting on the Form W-3 of the total of these amounts for all the employer's employees.
Can I negotiate a higher salary if I decline health insurance?
Some organizations may offer a cash-in-lieu of health insurance option, but if they do not you may be able to negotiate more salary because you won't be taking the insurance.