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? 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 should trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. 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 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 When does health insurance start at a new job? By Shivani Gite Can I drop my spouse from my health insurance at any time? By Nupur Gambhir When does health insurance expire after leaving your job? By Casey Bond If both spouses have health insurance which is primary? By Prachi Singh