Do you have to pay for health insurance while on workers’ comp? (2026 Expert Answers)

Getting injured on the job is hard enough, but do you have to pay for health insurance while on workers comp? In most states, workers’ comp does cover health insurance to an extent.

 

However, you’ll likely have to continue paying your health insurance payments. Additionally, your employer might not have to pay for your health insurance premiums, depending on state law.

So, can employers cancel your health insurance while on workers’ compensation? Explore this complicated issue below. If you don’t want to rely on your employer’s coverage, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool to see health insurance rates in your area.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation vs. Health Insurance

Workers comp benefits apply to any worker who suffers a qualifying work injury. They guarantee that the worker’s health insurance (which includes medical bills and disability benefits) will be paid by his employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Calculating lost wages is also part of workers’ compensation, so you don’t miss out on your paychecks.

However, the “medical bills” requirement applies only to medical bills relating to the injury, so you may still need your health insurance if you have a family who is covered under the policy or if you need routine care while on workers comp.

While most state laws require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, they don’t always have to pay for your health insurance.

If your employer isn’t obligated to pay, then you may also be able to take advantage of COBRA provisions that allow you to continue to keep your existing health insurance coverage while on workers’ comp if you pay the full premiums (i.e., you get the same coverage at the same discounted group rate as before, but now you’re picking up the whole bill for the premiums instead of your employer paying some).

Understanding COBRA

Getting workers’ comp health insurance payments isn’t your only way to ensure continued coverage. Unless you’ve been fired for gross misconduct, you’ll probably qualify for COBRA coverage for at least 18 months after losing your health insurance benefit.

Most employees qualify for COBRA coverage, including those who were injured on the job. However, navigating COBRA coverage and workers’ compensation can be difficult, as you can see with this Reddit user’s experience.

Almost year on worker comp
byu/Inevitable-Match-758 inWorkersComp

If you find yourself in a similar situation as this Reddit user and are asking yourself, “Does my employer have to pay my health insurance while on workers’ comp?”, getting help may be your best bet. That’s particularly true if you find yourself in a unique situation, like wondering what happens to COBRA coverage when your ex-employer goes out of business. These laws can be difficult to understand, but having help in your corner is never a bad thing.

Family and Medical Leave Act and Workers’ Compensation

There can be significant variation in workers’ compensation benefits by state, but there are more legal protections in place to help you keep your health insurance. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may be able to help while you are out on extended medical leave under certain circumstances. Factors such as company size, employee tenure, and annual hours worked will determine what, if any, benefits are available.

The FMLA offers coverage up to 12 weeks. Unfortunately, you can be fired for taking additional absence time after running out of FMLA time, so employees facing long-term disability should plan ahead.

Private Health Insurance Rates

Aside from living expenses like a mortgage or rent and car payments, health insurance is often one of a person’s biggest expenses. Many Americans decide to purchase private coverage instead of accepting what their workplaces offer to avoid unnecessary drama, like issues with whether an employer can change insurance policies without giving the employees any notice.

However, private insurance can be expensive. To get an idea of how much the average American pays for health insurance, check the rates below.

Average Health Insurance Costs by Age

As you can see, private health insurance can be expensive. If you find yourself wondering, “Does my employer have to pay my health insurance while on workers’ compensation?” it’s a good idea to speak with your company’s HR department. Figuring out private health insurance and workers’ compensation coverage is tricky, so it’s best to get help.

Get Help With Workers’ Compensation and Health Insurance Today

Deciding what to do when after a workplace injury can be challenging, especially if you have questions about who pays health insurance premiums while on workers’ compensation.

If you’ve got questions about workers’s compensation and health insurance, or you feel like your company isn’t upholding its responsibilities, you can find legal advice here. Simply enter your ZIP code to find qualified legal advice in your area.