Workers eligible for health coverage usually have the option to choose coverage for themselves or their dependents (though the cost to the worker of covering dependents is generally higher than for single coverage) (Exhibit 3.5).
Overall, 45% of covered workers elect single coverage, 16% elect single coverage plus one, and 39% elect family coverage.
Among small firms (3-199 workers), the proportion of covered workers who elect family coverage has declined slightly, from 39% of covered workers in 2001 to 33% in 2003.
This year showed little change in firms offering health benefits to part-time workers and temporary employees (Exhibits 3.6, 3.7).
Forty-six percent of workers are in firms where part-time workers are offered health benefits, similar to last year (47%). Consistent with previous years, part-time workers in large firms (200 or more workers) were nearly twice as likely to work for firms that offer health coverage (55%) than part-time workers employed by small firms (3-199 workers) (29%)
The percentage of workers in firms where temporary workers are eligible for health benefits remains low (7%).
Some new employees may not have worked long enough in a firm to qualify for health bene- fits. Average waiting periods for health coverage for new employees range from 1.3 months in jumbo firms (5,000 or more workers) to 3.5 months in the smallest firms (3-9 workers) (Exhibits 3.8).
