Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage

I work for a large employer (more than 50 full time employees) but my hours vary during the year. I work full-time during the summer but part-time the rest of the year. Does my employer have to offer me health benefits?

Large employers are not required to offer health benefits to employees who work, on average, at least 30 hours per week, but if they do not, they may have to pay a tax penalty. Check with your employer/human resources department to find out if your hours worked over the year meet this threshold. If your hours vary during the year, your employer has some options in determining your status as a full-time or part-time worker, including looking back over a certain amount of time to track the hours you have worked to determine whether you are full-time or part-time. Your employer should be able to tell you whether you are a full or part-time worker and whether you are eligible for coverage under the plan.

While we have made every effort to provide accurate information in these FAQs, people should contact the health insurance Marketplace or Medicaid agency in their state for guidance on their specific circumstances.

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The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.