Your wages may represent only part of your job’s compensation.
Medical coverage is a valuable workplace benefit, with the average cost of an employer-sponsored family health insurance plan reaching $23,968 in 2023, according to the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation. Although many employers limit their coverage to full-time employees, some extend plans to part-time workers as well.
“The major reason would be to attract and retain resources,” says Kim Buckey, former vice president of client services for Optavise, which provides employers with workplace benefits services. “Part-time employees may be able to fill gaps left when full-time employees leave and may provide the employer with more flexibility.”
[SEE: Best Part-Time Jobs to Pay the Bills.]
The following companies offer health insurance to part-time employees.
— Activision Blizzard
— American Red Cross
— Aquent
— Costco
— CVS Health
— Ikea
— JPMorgan Chase
— Lowe’s
— Meijer
— Pindel Global Precision
— REI
— San Mateo County, California
— Staples
— Starbucks
— UPS
Activision Blizzard
Software developers, digital artists and marketing managers can find job opportunities at Activision Blizzard. The company is a leading developer of interactive entertainment, including games such as Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.
Workers don’t need to put in 40 hours a week to get benefits there. Any part-time U.S. employee who is regularly scheduled at least 30 hours a week is eligible for health benefits. That also applies to employees of Activision Publishing, Blizzard Entertainment or King.
American Red Cross
At the American Red Cross, part-time workers who are on the job at least 20 hours a week are eligible for health benefits. New hires must enroll for medical insurance within 31 days of their hire and can select from four plans with varying levels of coverage and costs. Phlebotomist, medical technologist and bus driver are among the positions available at the organization.
Aquent
Even temporary workers can get health benefits if they find a part-time job through Aquent, a staffing company for the marketing and creative industries. The company provides health insurance to workers on assignment for less than one year as long as they are working 20 hours a week. Workers have their choice of three plans, and Aquent subsidizes premiums for each hour worked.
Costco
Warehouse club Costco is a popular store for shopping in bulk and can be a good place to work if you’re looking for a part-time job that comes with health insurance. Once cashiers and other part-time hourly employees have 60 days of continuous service, they can enroll in one of several health insurance plans offered by the company. Except in Hawaii, seasonal, temporary or limited part-time employees are not eligible.
CVS Health
CVS Health offers medical and prescription coverage to all employees who work at least 30 hours a week. Benefits include free preventive care and annual CVS Health contributions for health savings account-eligible plans. Those who work 12 to 29 hours a week are eligible for a fixed indemnity plan which provides cash benefits for doctor visits, prescriptions and other health care.
Ikea
Ikea employees typically begin medical and prescription benefits within 15 days of starting work, according to the retailer’s website. The popular home furnishing store says full benefits are available to those working as few as 20 hours per week. Three plans are available, and Ikea helps pay for the cost of coverage. Customer service, furniture assembly and forklift operation are a few of the part-time roles available at Ikea stores.
JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase hires a significant number of part-time associate bankers to staff its branches throughout the country. As long as these employees are regularly scheduled for at least 20 hours a week, they are likely eligible for health insurance coverage, according to a company medical plan summary.
Workers need to be employed for at least 60 days before beginning their benefits, which include prescription drug, vision and dental coverage.
[Workers Weigh in on What Makes a Great Company to Work For]
Lowe’s
Part-time employees at home improvement store Lowe’s can enroll in a medical plan that offers limited benefits. Coverage includes up to four primary doctor office visits and four specialist office visits per calendar year. However, hospital and surgical coverage is not included. Cashiers, stockers and customer service representatives are among the part-time positions available at Lowe’s.
Meijer
Midwest grocer Meijer offers medical coverage to its part-time workers after they have completed 60 days of service. Those who work 30 or more hours per week can enroll in a high-deductible plan that comes with a health savings account. Employees who clock in fewer hours per week can enroll in coverage that comes with a health reimbursement account. Hourly positions at the retailer include cashiers, department associates and pharmacy technicians.
Pindel Global Precision
This Wisconsin-based manufacturer is one of the firms taking a new approach to providing health insurance coverage to part-time workers. Rather than providing a plan directly, Pindel Global Precision uses individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements, or ICHRAs, to help employees pay premiums for insurance purchased on the government’s health insurance marketplace or through Medicare.
“With an ICHRA, an employer can contribute a flat fee toward an employee’s health care, which the employee can then use to purchase insurance,” explains William Sweetnam, technical and legislative director for the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation, an organization that advocates for tax-advantaged benefit programs. “The employee must purchase a health care plan with the funds, and any remaining money can be used for qualified medical expenses.”
REI
Retailer REI, known for selling products related to outdoor activities, offers all its employees access to medical benefits. Those who average 20 hours per week over a 12-month period can choose from three health plans, each with varying levels of costs and coverage.
Workers who average fewer hours can sign up for the REI Access Plan, a high-deductible policy that covers the employee only. Eligibility begins after working for REI for three months.
San Mateo County, California
This California county is one example of a local government that provides health insurance to part-time employees. In San Mateo County, regular and probationary employees who work 20 hours or more per week can enroll in a health plan that will cover them, their spouse and children under 26 years of age. Local governments have diverse needs and may hire employees ranging from janitors to nurses on a part-time basis.
Staples
Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible for health coverage at Staples, although part-time workers may only get limited medical benefits.
The office supply retailer has locations throughout the country and needs retail salespeople, warehouse workers and van drivers to work on a part-time basis. These employees can also participate in the company’s 401(k) plan and sign up for other insurance products such as dental, vision and life.
[READ: 8 Types of Employee Benefits.]
Starbucks
At this national coffee chain, hourly employees on the U.S. mainland are eligible for benefits, including health insurance, once they work 240 hours during a consecutive three-month period. That averages out to approximately 20 hours per week. Requirements are different for workers in Hawaii.
Starbucks begins coverage on the second month after workers hit that milestone. Baristas, café attendants and other hourly employees at mainland locations maintain their eligibility by working at least 520 hours in a six-month period.
“This has turned into a major way that they can attract and retain employees,” says Walter Sabrin, chief talent officer for Vensure Employer Services, a professional employer organization, or PEO, that offers human resources solutions. While not every company will want to incur the expense of offering health insurance to part-time workers, Sabrin notes PEOs can simplify the process for those that do.
UPS
Unionized workers at UPS may be eligible for health insurance as long as they work at least 225 hours during a three-month period. The company’s workers, including delivery truck drivers and package handlers, receive coverage through TeamstersCare. Benefits cover medical care, behavioral health services, prescription drugs, dental care and more.
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15 Companies Offering Health Insurance to Part-Time Workers originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 11/11/24: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
