Many insurers let a company add dependants to its hospital and outpatient plans. The company can pay for it as a benefit, or employees can pay for their own dependants.
Insurers set their own rules: the ages up to which children are covered, whether all of an employee’s dependants must join, and whether a minimum share of employees must take it up.
Dependants’ cover is a strong draw for employees with young families, and it adds noticeably to the premium, so it is worth pricing both ways.