Alyssa Lane
While federal law does not require employers to offer health insurance to part-time employees, some companies choose to do so as a way to attract and retain talent. If your employer does not offer health insurance, you can look into purchasing it through the Marketplace, where you may be eligible for a health insurance plan with savings on your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs based on your household size and income. Alternatively, you can look into whether your spouse's or partner's health insurance can cover you, or consider finding a job at a company that offers health insurance to part-time employees, such as Chipotle, Lowe's, Starbucks, or Walmart.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Federal requirement for employers to offer health insurance to part-time employees | No federal laws require employers to offer health insurance to part-time employees. However, some states have specific laws, such as in Hawaii, where employers must offer coverage to eligible employees working 20 or more hours per week. |
| Employer-provided health insurance for part-time employees | Some employers choose to offer health insurance to part-time employees, including large companies like Chipotle, Lowe's, JPMorgan Chase, and the federal government. |
| Marketplace health insurance | If an employer does not offer health insurance, individuals can purchase it through the Marketplace and may qualify for savings or premium tax credits based on income and household size. |
| Spouse or partner's health insurance | Individuals can be covered by their spouse or partner's health insurance plan if offered by their employer. However, this may affect eligibility for savings or discounts. |
| State-specific requirements | Some states have specific laws and programs regarding health insurance for part-time employees, such as the Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA). |
| Retirement savings plans | Part-time employees who work a certain number of hours or years may be eligible to participate in their employer's retirement savings plans, such as 401(k) plans. |
| Other benefits | Part-time employees may have access to other benefits, such as paid sick days, vacation days, and disability insurance, depending on the employer and state laws. |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time workers' rights to health insurance
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the United States defines part-time employees as those working less than 30 hours per week or less than 130 hours per month for more than 120 consecutive days. While the ACA does not mandate that employers offer health insurance to part-time workers, it does require that large employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees offer affordable health insurance to their full-time workers. If these large employers do not comply, they may be subject to tax penalties.
Even though it is not legally required in most cases, some employers choose to offer health insurance coverage to their part-time workers. This decision is often made to attract and retain talented employees and promote a healthy workforce. When offering health insurance to part-time employees, employers must follow the rules set by the ACA and ensure that the insurance carrier allows for part-time workers to be included in the plan. Additionally, employers should clearly articulate the eligibility criteria for part-time workers to receive health coverage and record these criteria in their company policy documents.
If an employer does not offer health insurance to part-time employees, individuals can explore other options to obtain coverage. One option is to purchase health insurance through the Marketplace, where they may find plans with savings on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs based on their household size and income. Individuals may also qualify for free or low-cost coverage through government programs such as Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It is worth noting that if an individual is offered health coverage by their employer but chooses to buy insurance through the Marketplace instead, they may not be eligible for certain savings and tax credits.
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Job-based insurance for spouses or dependents
If you are a part-time worker, your employer is not required by federal law to provide you with health insurance. However, some employers may choose to do so, and some part-time employees may be eligible for job-based insurance. If your employer does not offer you insurance, you can purchase it through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
If your spouse's job-based insurance is offered to spouses or other family members, and you choose not to enroll, you may not qualify for savings on a separate Marketplace plan. This will depend on whether the job-based plan meets certain standards of affordability and minimum coverage. In 2025, a job-based health plan is considered "affordable" if your share of the monthly premium in the lowest-cost plan offered by the employer is less than 9.02% of your household income.
If your spouse's job-based insurance is not offered to spouses or dependents, you can buy health insurance through the Marketplace and may be able to save money on your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs, depending on your household size and income.
It is important to note that federal rules do not mandate employers to offer health benefits to spouses, and this is left to the discretion of the employer. Some states have rules prohibiting employment discrimination based on marital status, which may prevent employers from imposing a working spouse rule.
If your spouse is not offered health benefits through your job, they may be eligible to apply for coverage and premium tax credits through the Marketplace. Additionally, some employers may offer dependent coverage as part of their health insurance plans. For example, Chipotle offers medical, dental, and vision insurance with dependent coverage to all hourly employees.
If you are a federal government employee, you will be eligible for the same health insurance benefits as full-time employees, regardless of how many hours you work, as long as your position is permanent. The cost of coverage will vary based on the number of hours you work.
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Affordable Care Act requirements for employers
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) outlines several requirements and provisions for employers to provide health insurance coverage to their employees. The specific requirements for an employer depend on the size and structure of its workforce, particularly the number of full-time employees, including full-time equivalents.
Small employers, generally those with fewer than 50 full-time employees, may be eligible for various credits and benefits. For instance, employers with fewer than 25 full-time employees may qualify for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to subsidize the cost of providing coverage. Additionally, small businesses with 1-50 employees can utilize the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace to purchase affordable insurance plans.
On the other hand, applicable large employers (ALEs), typically those with 50 or more full-time employees, have different obligations. These ALEs must offer affordable and minimum value medical coverage to at least 95% of their full-time employees and their dependents up to the age of 26. If an ALE fails to meet these requirements, they may be subject to financial penalties, known as the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment (ESRP).
Regardless of size, all employers providing self-insured health coverage to their employees must file an annual return reporting specific information for each covered individual. Additionally, the ACA prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report violations of the Act's health insurance reforms.
Furthermore, the ACA creates incentives for employers to implement wellness programs and activities that promote healthier workplaces, with rewards of up to 30% of the cost of health coverage for wellness programs and 50% for programs targeting tobacco reduction.
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Health insurance for permanent federal government employees
Permanent federal government employees are eligible for the same health insurance benefits as full-time employees, regardless of the number of hours worked. However, part-time employees may pay a greater percentage of the premium. For example, an employee working 20 hours per week may receive half of the government's contribution towards the premium.
In addition to the FEHB, federal employees may also have access to other benefits, such as flexible spending accounts, student loan repayment programs, and long-term care insurance through the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).
It is important to note that there have been recent reports of fired federal employees facing challenges with their health insurance coverage. These employees have encountered issues such as a lack of clear information, confusion, and delays in obtaining new insurance.
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State-based insurance options
In the United States, federal law does not require employers to offer health insurance to part-time employees. However, if your employer does not offer you insurance coverage, you can explore state-based insurance options through the Marketplace. The availability of these options may vary depending on the state you reside in, so be sure to check the specific rules and regulations for your state. Here are some state-based insurance options to consider:
- Marketplace Insurance Application: By filling out an application through the Marketplace, you can find out if you qualify for health insurance plans with savings on your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These savings are determined based on your household size and income. The Marketplace will also help you determine if you are eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
- Spouse's Job-Based Insurance: If your spouse has job-based insurance that is offered to spouses or other family members, you can enrol in their plan. However, if you choose not to enrol in your spouse's insurance, you may not qualify for savings on your individual plan through the Marketplace. As of 2025, a job-based health plan is considered "affordable" if your share of the monthly premium for the lowest-cost plan offered by the employer is less than 9.02% of your household income.
- State-Specific Programs: Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover a larger portion of their population. Check with your state to see if you qualify for lower costs or expanded coverage under their Medicaid program. Additionally, certain states like California, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Rhode Island, as well as Puerto Rico, have disability-related laws and short-term disability insurance obligations that may provide additional coverage options.
- Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA): If your company has fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees and has opted for a QSEHRA instead of traditional group health insurance, part-time workers can be included in this arrangement. QSEHRA allows employers to reimburse employees for eligible health insurance premiums and certain medical expenses up to a predetermined amount.
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Frequently asked questions
While federal law does not require employers to offer health insurance to part-time employees, some choose to do so. Companies like Chipotle, Lowe's, REI, Staples, JPMorgan Chase, and Costco offer health insurance to part-time employees. If your employer does not offer health insurance, you can look into buying it through the Marketplace. You may be able to save money on your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs depending on your household size and income.
Offering health insurance to part-time employees can help attract and retain talent, promote a healthy workforce, and show employees that the company cares about their well-being. It can also help prevent staffing shortages and productivity lost due to sick days.
If your spouse or partner has health insurance through their employer, you may be able to be covered by their plan. You can also look into health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) or health stipends offered by your employer, which allow them to reimburse you for eligible health insurance premiums and certain medical expenses.
