My employer plan covers only preventive services and a few doctors’ visits each year. I want better coverage. Can I apply for coverage and premium tax credits in the Marketplace?

You can apply for coverage in the Marketplace and if your employer plan doesn’t meet the Affordable Care Act’s standard for minimum value, you may qualify for premium tax credits. To meet the minimum value standard, the plan must cover at least 60 percent of covered services for an average population, including hospitalization and physician services. If your employer plan only covers preventive services and a few doctors’ visits, it is likely it doesn’t meet the minimum value standard (which means it would be considered inadequate and you could be eligible for premium tax credits to help buy a Marketplace plan). However, if your employer offers another plan or plans that are found to be adequate and the premiums for self-only coverage in that plan would be considered affordable for you, you will not qualify for premium tax credits in the Marketplace. (26 C.F.R. § 1.36B-2).