Health insurance for restaurant owners and staff
Restaurant owners and restaurant staff usually need different answers. An owner with employees may be able to use the SHOP Marketplace to offer coverage. A cook or server with no offer of job-based coverage may qualify for Marketplace savings based on income, tips included. Sam Clayland sorts out which applies on a free 25-minute call.
What makes your situation different
If you own the place, start with your head count
HealthCare.gov says that a business with even one employee other than the owner, a spouse, or family may be able to use the SHOP Marketplace to cover the owner and staff. That is a different path from the individual Marketplace.
If you work there, the job-based offer decides a lot
If your employer offers you coverage, in most cases you will not qualify for a premium tax credit on a Marketplace plan. If there is no offer, you may qualify based on household income.
Count tips when you estimate income
Tips are income. Estimating too low can leave you repaying credit at tax time, so use your total wages and tips before taxes, not your take-home pay.
Sam to confirm: this page matches how you work with these clients, and add a real example
What Sam will ask
- Do you own the restaurant, manage it, or work there?
- How many people work there, and how many hours?
- Has your employer offered you any coverage?
- What did you earn last year before taxes, including tips?
Handy, but not required
- Last year's W-2 or tip records
- Any coverage offer from your employer
- For owners: a rough staff count
Common questions
Can restaurant staff get help paying for health insurance?
They may, if they do not have an offer of job-based coverage. Marketplace savings depend on estimated household income for the coverage year.
Can a restaurant owner cover the staff without a big group plan?
Possibly. HealthCare.gov points businesses with at least one employee to the SHOP Marketplace. Sam can review that option alongside others.
Not you? Other kinds of work:
1099 contractors · people who work with their hands · real estate professionals · small business owners