Woman and toddler playing a xylophone on a living room rug

For nannies and household workers · Licensed in 20 U.S. states

Health insurance
for nannies.

You care for someone else's kids all day, often as the only employee in the house. That can mean no work health plan to join. Here is how a nanny can get coverage of their own.

Private & Secure
Fast Response
No Spam Calls

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Caring for other families

One family, one employee,
and often no group plan.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says nannies most often work full time for one family, and some live in the home. Three points shape how a nanny buys coverage:

A family is rarely required to offer a plan.

Federal employer coverage rules generally apply only to employers with 50 or more full-time employees, counting full-time equivalents. A family that employs one nanny is far below that line, so those rules don't require a health plan.

You are often a household employee.

The IRS says a worker is a household employee when the family controls both what work is done and how it is done. That holds whether you work full or part time, and even if an agency found you the job. If an agency controls your work, you are not the family's household employee.

A plan in your name moves with you.

A Marketplace or private plan you buy yourself stays with you if you change families. A tax credit is based on your expected household income, not on which family you work for.

Woman reading a picture book with a young boy on a sofa — Photo: Pexels photo 7295860 by Ksenia Chernaya, used under the Pexels License. Cropped, resized, and converted to WebP. Modified from the original.

Your nanny pay

What counts when you apply.

The Marketplace bases tax credits on your household income for the year you are covered.

Your wages count, including pay from more than one family if you split your week.
If one family pays you $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026, those wages are subject to Social Security tax, and the family generally withholds your share. Noncash pay, like meals or lodging, isn't counted as Social Security wages, though it may still be taxable income.
If only you control how the work is done, the IRS treats you as self-employed rather than as the family's employee, and your self-employment income counts.
If your hours or families change during the year, update your Marketplace application so your advance credit stays on track.

Childcare work in numbers

Many childcare workers work
outside of big employers.

About 1.0 million

Childcare worker jobs in the U.S. in 2025, a group that includes nannies.

24%

Of childcare worker jobs in 2025 were held by self-employed workers.

17%

Of childcare worker jobs in 2025 were in private households.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers, last modified September 14, 2026. The group also includes workers in daycare centers and schools. U.S. data.

Paul DanielsLicensed health advisor · NPN 20986580

Working with Paul

A broker for the people
who care for kids.

Daniels Health Advisors is the independent brokerage Paul Daniels founded, licensed in 20 U.S. states. We help nannies, babysitters, and other household workers find a plan in their own name. We usually start with the Marketplace, since a tax credit can lower the premium, and look at private PPO options when that fits better. If a family offers to help with your premium, ask a tax pro how that money is treated. Some private plans ask health questions, and approval is not guaranteed. Some may not cover care for health problems you had before you enrolled.

Have your hourly rate and usual weekly hours handy. We can estimate your yearly income from those.

Short calls you book online
Licensed in 20 U.S. states · Paul Daniels, NPN 20986580 · FL license G065122
You do not pay us for our help. We are paid by the insurance companies when you enroll. Your price for a plan is the same whether you use us or sign up on your own. Commissions can differ by company.

Your first call

Nanny coverage in three steps.

Tell us about your work

How many families you work for, your hours, and whether you get a Form W-2.

We estimate your income

A yearly figure from your pay, including any side babysitting.

Compare plans in your name

Marketplace and private options, with your doctors checked in each network.

Book a 15-minute call

Recommended on Facebook

What people say
about working with us.

“I’ve know Paul for years and definitely trust him in the health advisor dept! Working with small business owners he has been a great partner with explain options and provide solutions!”

Sandra D.
Facebook recommendation

“Paul was very helpful in my search for business group insurance. He was able to explain my options and answer all the questions I had before signing up. Highly recommend working with him!”

Adil J.
Facebook recommendation

Before you enroll

Plan for a job change
before it happens.

Nanny jobs can end when children start school or a family moves. A plan in your own name doesn't end with the job. When your income changes, update your Marketplace application. If you take advance credits and earn more than you estimated, you may owe some back. Under current law, starting with 2026 taxes, there is no cap on that payback. After the call you will have:

A yearly income estimate from your nanny pay
Plan prices after any tax credit
A note on what to update if you change families
Network results for your doctors

A checklist for

Nannies shopping for coverage.

Ask each family whether they will give you a Form W-2.
Add up pay from every family you work for.
If a family offers to help with premiums, ask a tax pro how that is handled.
Confirm your doctors are in network before you enroll.

Nanny questions

Nanny health insurance FAQ.

Do families have to give nannies health insurance?

Generally no. Federal employer coverage rules apply to employers with 50 or more full-time employees, including full-time equivalents. A family with one or two household employees is well below that. A family may still choose to help, so it is fair to ask.

Is a nanny a household employee?

Often, yes. The IRS lists nannies among household workers and says you are the family's employee if they control what work you do and how you do it. If an agency controls how you work, you are not the family's employee.

Can a nanny get a Marketplace tax credit?

You may, if your income qualifies and you don't have an affordable job-based offer. Your savings are based on your expected household income for the year, which includes your nanny wages.

What if I work for two or three families?

Add up your pay from all of them for your income estimate. Each family that pays you $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026 generally owes Social Security tax on those wages and withholds your share.

I get paid in cash. Can I still buy coverage?

Yes. You can apply for a Marketplace plan or a private plan whether or not you get a W-2. Include cash pay in your income estimate, and keep records of what you earn.

Do I have to wait for open enrollment?

Not for every plan. A private plan (not from the Marketplace) can often be bought any time of year. Some private plans ask health questions, and approval is not guaranteed. Some may not cover care for health problems you had before you enrolled. Marketplace plans, and other plans that follow ACA rules, work differently. As of October 25, 2026, under current law, open enrollment for 2027 plans on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027. To start coverage January 1, pick a plan by December 15. States that run their own Marketplace may set different dates, so check with your state's Marketplace. A federal appeal about these rules is pending (City of Columbus v. Kennedy, 4th Cir. No. 26-1938), with oral argument set for October 30, 2026, so confirm the dates before you enroll. Outside open enrollment, you need a special enrollment period, such as one after losing job-based coverage.

Coverage that stays
when the job changes.

Book a 15-minute call, or see quotes online.

Book a 15-minute call Get a quote online

By Paul Daniels, licensed insurance agent (NPN 20986580).

Disclaimer

Daniels Health Advisors LLC is an independent brokerage, not a carrier, HealthCare.gov, or CMS. Agent: Paul Daniels, NPN 20986580, Florida license G065122. This page is about personal health insurance for nannies and household workers. It is not tax or legal advice. Job figures are from public government data and describe groups, not you. Tax credits, plans, networks, and prices depend on your state, zip code, income, and household. We never guarantee approval, a doctor, or a price. Not medical, legal, or tax advice.

Health insurancefor nannies.

One family, one employee,and often no group plan.