Employer Coverage and Financial Help
Here’s what to know about your options with Covered California if you are offered health insurance through your job.
Employer-Sponsored Insurance and Financial Help
Health insurance offered through a job is called employer-sponsored insurance.
You do not qualify for financial help through Covered California if your job's insurance offer:
- Is affordable
- The lowest-cost, employee-only option costs 9.96% or less of your household income. This percentage changes every year.
- Meets minimum value standards
- The plan pays at least 60 percent of the total cost of medical services and provides enough insurance for hospital and doctor services.
Most employer plans meet both standards.
Is your job's health plan affordable?
Answer a few questions to find out. Have your household income and your job's lowest-cost plan price ready.
Your family may get different results.
The Affordability Tool checks your and your family’s insurance separately, based on what your job's plan would cost for each compared to you. Family health insurance usually costs more than employee-only insurance, so it's common for your insurance to be affordable while your family's isn't.
Other Things to Know
Depending on your household income, your children may qualify for Medi-Cal or, in some counties, CCHIP. Learn about other coverage options for children.
You can also buy a full-price plan through Covered California for your spouse and children. Compare plans to see your options.
Rideshare and Delivery Drivers
Drivers for rideshare or delivery apps like Uber, Lyft and DoorDash in California may be eligible for a health insurance stipend where your app company helps pay for your plan. Depending on your income, you may also qualify for financial help through Covered California to lower the cost of your health insurance.
The stipend is paid each quarter if you meet the required number of engaged hours and are enrolled in qualifying individual health insurance, such as a Covered California plan. Contact your app company to find out if you qualify.
If you don't already have a Covered California plan, you may be able to enroll through a special-enrollment period. When you apply, choose "Newly qualifies for health insurance stipend" as your qualifying life event.
If your app company asks for proof of coverage, sign in to your Covered California account to download your proof of coverage document.