These 5 Part-Time Jobs Offer Full-Time Health Benefits

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Last Updated:August 12, 2023

These 5 Part-Time Jobs Offer Full-Time Health Benefits

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Without health insurance, an emergency room visit or a major health issue requiring expensive treatment could lead to debt, lousy credit or even bankruptcy.

While the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, allows millions of people to choose a government-subsidized healthcare plan, many are ineligible for subsidies. Among those who qualify, many choose not to participate.

The main health insurance option for many people is through their employer. Around 51% of the country’s total firms offer some health benefits, according to 2022 data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

And contrary to what you may assume, you don’t need a full-time job to be eligible for health insurance benefits.

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Part-time work defined

Part-time workers are defined by law as those working fewer than 30 hours per week for the same employer. The ACA doesn’t require businesses of any size to provide employer-sponsored health insurance to part-time employees.

Large businesses are required to offer health insurance to full-time workers. Small businesses, on the other hand, aren’t required by the ACA to provide health insurance.

This means you’re less likely to get health insurance benefits from a small employer, especially if you work part-time.

Some companies have raised the threshold for health coverage to 30 hours per week. Work less than that, and you don’t qualify for health benefits at those companies. Instead, you must turn to state or federal insurance exchanges.

Whole Foods made this change in 2019, increasing the weekly workload from 20 to 30 hours to be eligible for its medical benefits.

The good news is that some companies offer health benefits to part-time workers who work less than 30 hours per week. Here are some of the biggest.

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Costco

Part-time employees who work 24 or more hours per week can get health insurance through Costco at low rates. Workers are eligible for benefits after 180 days on the job.

Costco’s Choice Plus health plan allows workers to choose their own providers. They can also join a low-cost dental plan and get basic vision coverage.

At the Costco pharmacy, they can use an in-house prescription plan separate from Choice Plus. The in-house plan has $5 copays for generic drugs and 5%-15% copays for branded medications.

Lowe’s

The home improvement company offers a limited-benefit health plan to part-time employees that offers preventative care.

The company’s benefits brochure doesn’t detail the program, though health benefits for full-time workers are laid out over several pages.

A limited-benefit health plan usually requires paying only a flat amount for each medical event. It may be paid through reimbursement instead of directly to the healthcare provider.

Lowe’s also offers vision and dental care and short-term disability benefits to part-timers.

Starbucks

The Seattle-based coffee company is widely known for its benefits for part-time workers. Its benefits package is called “Your Special Blend” and is available to employees who work at least 240 hours over a three consecutive months, or at least 20 hours per week.

It offers many medical plans. All cover 100% of preventative costs. Basic plans require employee contributions of just 30% of the total plan premium. More comprehensive plans may include coverage for non-traditional care at higher out-of-pocket rates.

All of the plans include dental and vision coverage.

United Parcel Service

Better known as UPS, the package delivery company is one of the only companies offering full benefits to hourly employees, whether they work full- or part-time.

The downside for part-timers, however, is that they must be employed for at least 12 months before they’re eligible for the company’s health benefits.

Once they’ve worked for UPS for 225 hours in a 3-month eligibility period, part-time employees can choose basic health plans that cover preventative medical and dental services. A basic vision plan is also included.

Workers pay no out-of-pocket expenses for their health benefits. UPS workers get other benefits that require little or no money, including life and disability insurance and tobacco cessation support.

These benefits are available through collective bargaining agreements for hourly workers at UPS.

U-Haul

This self-serve moving firm based in Phoenix offers employees limited medical and dental plans. Workers must log at least 20+ hours weekly to be eligible for benefits.

This includes coverage for annual office visits, low prescription copays, and partial coverage for more expensive medical services.

Employees must cover the full cost of premiums. U-Haul’s medical benefits don’t meet the minimum requirements of the ACA, so workers may need to buy supplemental insurance.

The bottom line

Healthcare plans can change annually, and companies may drop or modify their coverage for part-time workers on short notice.

If you’re looking for a part-time job with health benefits, check out the company’s website for information or call and ask before applying.

Benefits for part-time workers usually aren’t as great as for full-timers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find employers who want to attract part-time workers with solid benefits that make working for them worthwhile.

If a company offers health insurance to part-time workers, chances are it’s more affordable than what the worker would find on the private market.

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