• Employers with 11 or more employees are encouraged to provide access to health insurance in Massachusetts, but do not have to. Employers that do not provide health benefits but do not make a “fair and reasonable” premium contribution may have to pay a fine, called the Fair Share Contribution. The state will use this money to help subsidize the cost of coverage for some residents who have to obtain health insurance on their own.

Employers are considered to have made a “fair and reasonable” premium contribution if at least 25% of full-time employees participate in the employer sponsored health plan or if the employer offers to contribute at least 33% of the premium cost for all full-time employees.