Health Insurance I already have individual health insurance coverage, but my employer says I have to take their plan and pay for it even though I don’t need or want it. Can I be forced into this? Written by Penny Gusner Penny Gusner Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. Posted on: August 25, 2014 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. In general, you can’t be forced to take your employer’s health insurance plan; however, there are exceptions to this rule. If you signed an employment agreement stating you must be a part of the company’s group health plan, then you must abide by the terms of that contract. Or, if you’re part of a union agreement that mandates you take part in your group health insurance, then you can’t opt out. With a union agreement or employment contract that requires you to participate in your employer’s group health insurance plan, you may also be required to pay part of the premium. The last exception is different. If an employer pays 100 percent of your health insurance premiums, it can make you take part in its group health insurance plan. This isn’t the case in your situation since your employer is making you pay for the coverage. If none of these circumstances are true for your situation, but your employer still forces you to be part of its group health insurance, contact your state’s department of insurance to discuss your rights and how to proceed. Penny GusnerContributor . .Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. Related Articles Can I drop my spouse from my health insurance at any time? By Nupur Gambhir Can you get health insurance if you retire at 62? By Shivani Gite How COBRA works if you move out of state By Barry Eitel Can my parents kick me off their health insurance By Shivani Gite How to add a spouse to your health insurance plan By Huma Naeem Does my deductible start over if I change jobs? By Shivani Gite ZIP Code Please enter valid ZIP See rates