Families · Job-based coverage
The “family glitch” fix: can your family get Marketplace help?
If family coverage at work is expensive, your spouse and kids may qualify for a premium tax credit even if your own coverage is affordable.
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- 2022 IRS final rule
- Family cost now counts
- Check before Dec 15
Check my family’s options
Your info goes to Nexus only. Never sold. No pitch, no obligation.
What the old rule did
Before the change, affordability for the whole family was measured using only the cost of employee-only coverage. That shut many families out of credits even when family premiums were very high. The final rule, published October 13, 2022 and effective December 12, 2022, changed that test for family members.[1]
How to check your family for 2027
- Get the employee’s cost for family coverage (and employee-only) for 2027 from the employer.
- Estimate 2027 household income; credits generally stop above 400% of poverty, $132,000 for four.[2]
- Apply on HealthCare.gov during Open Enrollment, by December 15 for January 1.[3]
The employee can stay on the job plan while the family goes to the Marketplace. Kids’ options, including MIChild and Medicaid: family coverage.
Sources
- Federal Register, Affordability of Employer Coverage for Family Members of Employees, final rule, Oct. 13, 2022 (effective Dec. 12, 2022). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/13/2022-22184/affordability-of-employer-coverage-for-family-members-of-employees
- HHS ASPE, 2026 Poverty Guidelines (used for 2027 coverage). https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
- HealthCare.gov, Dates and deadlines. https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/
Checked October 16, 2026. 2027 Marketplace plans and final 2027 rates aren’t published yet; we’ll update this page when they are.
Frequently asked questions
What was the family glitch?
Affordability of job-based coverage for family members used to be measured by the cost of employee-only coverage, which kept many families from premium tax credits.
Was the family glitch fixed?
Yes. A final IRS rule published October 13, 2022 bases family members' affordability on the employee's cost to cover the employee and those family members.
Can my spouse and kids get a Marketplace plan while I keep my job plan?
Possibly. If family coverage at work is unaffordable for them under the rule and income qualifies, they may get a premium tax credit.
Will you sell my information?
No. Your information goes to Nexus Benefit Solutions only and is never sold.