Health Insurance Benefits for Part-Time Employees

Finding health insurance as a part-time worker is not always easy. There are a number of reasons that employees might want to work part-time but they don't want to have to give up their health insurance to do it.

There are, however, some employers who do offer health insurance benefits to part-time workers. You only need to know where to look.

Employers who offer part-time health benefits usually fall into two groups:

• Progressive employers who want to create attractive places to work for their employees. These employers are usually interested in the needs of their employees and creating a strong work/life balance option for them.
• Employers who need to offer benefits in order to attract employees. These may be larger employers who need a large number of employees or employers who find it hard to attract the particular type of employee for whom they are looking.

1. Starbucks: The Seattle coffee chain is famous for offering health insurance to it's part-time workers. Typicall a Starbucks "partner" needs to work about 20 hours a week to be eligible for health insurance benefits. There is a two month qualifying period from the time you begin work before you are eligible to enroll.
2. REI: REI is a retailer of outdoor equipment and clothing. REI makes health insurance benefits available to all employees, including seasonal and temporary employees. REI subsidizes 60% of the cost of the insurance.
3. UPS: From the UPS website: "UPS is one of only a few companies offering its part-time employees full benefits, from medical/dental coverage to tuition assistance."
4. Whole Foods: The grocery chain offers health insurance to workers who have completed 400 hours of service.
   
5. Barnes and Noble: On the company's website, the bookseller describes itself as 'one of the few companies that offers health coverage to part-time employees".
6. JCPenney: This retailer offers health insurance coverage to part-time employees through its Additional Benefits Choices program.
   

* This information was accurate at the time of the writing. Obviously, the benefit plans of specific employers are subject to change. Please make your own inquiries at the time of your application or interview.