How to Get Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance

Who Pays for Coverage?

Employers will generally subsidize an employee’s job-based health insurance by paying a portion of the monthly premiums. However, an employer may not subsidize spousal or family coverage.

Many employers do subsidize family members' coverage. The employer usually pays a smaller percentage of the total cost of family health insurance than for employee-only coverage.

If your spouse’s employer offers health insurance to their family members, your share of the premiums will be deducted from your spouse’s paycheck automatically.

Recap

If your spouse gets insurance through their employer, you might be able to be covered on it as well. However, you also have the option of looking elsewhere for coverage. You may want to do this if you could find a plan that would cost less.