Minimum value

A standard of minimum coverage that applies to job-based health plans. If your employer’s plan meets this standard and is considered “affordable,” you won’t be eligible for a premium tax credit if you buy a Marketplace insurance plan instead.

A health plan meets the minimum value standard if both of these apply:

• It’s designed to pay at least 60% of the total cost of medical services for a standard population
• Its benefits include substantial coverage of physician and inpatient hospital services

To find out if your job-based plan meets the minimum value standard, ask your employer. You can also ask them to fill out the Employer Coverage Tool (PDF).

Related content

• If you’d like to buy a Marketplace plan instead of accepting job-based coverage
• How to know if a plan is considered “affordable”