Affordable coverage
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:
- 9.96% of your household income in 2026
- 10.22% of your household income in 2027
The lowest-cost plan must also meet the minimum value standard.
If you’re the employee, affordability is based on only the premium you’d pay for self-only (individual) coverage.
For coverage starting January 1, if you’re offered job-based coverage through a household member’s job, affordability is based on the premium amount to cover everyone in the household.
Total household income includes incomes from everybody in the household who’s required to file a tax return.
If the premiums aren’t considered affordable for the employee and the household, they may qualify for savings in a Marketplace plan. But, if the premium is considered affordable for the employee, but not for other members of the household, then only the other household members may qualify for savings.