Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance: Benefits for Part-Time Employees

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, provides health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. One of the key benefits of the ACA is that it requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer health insurance to their full-time employees. However, what are the options for part-time workers?

What is considered Part-Time?

The ACA considers part-time employment to be any work that is less than 30 hours per week. If you work less than 30 hours per week, you are not eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance.

Health Insurance Options for Part-Time Employees

If you are a part-time employee, you have several options for obtaining health insurance:

1. The Health Insurance Marketplace: The Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the ACA Marketplace, is a government-run website where you can purchase health insurance plans. You may be eligible for premium tax credits to help reduce the cost of your coverage.
2. Medicaid: Medicaid is a government-funded program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families. If your income is below certain limits, you may be eligible for Medicaid.
3. Employer-Sponsored Plans: Some employers may offer health insurance to their part-time employees. However, this is not required by law, and many employers do not offer health insurance to their part-time employees.
4. Individual Health Insurance Plans: You can also purchase individual health insurance plans from private insurers. However, these plans can be expensive, and you may not be eligible for premium tax credits.

ACA Sweet Spot

If you are a part-time employee with a low income, you may be eligible for the ACA’s “sweet spot.” The sweet spot is a range of income where you can qualify for premium tax credits to help reduce the cost of your health insurance. The sweet spot for 2023 is between 138% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

How to Find Affordable Health Insurance

If you are a part-time employee, finding affordable health insurance can be challenging. However, there are several resources available to help you. You can call the Health Insurance Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596 or visit their website at HealthCare.gov. You can also contact your state Medicaid office to see if you are eligible for Medicaid.