Workers at an office meeting

Just slightly more than half of part-time workers have employer-based health coverage, compared with nearly 8 in 10 full-time workers.

“Compared to full-time workers, part-time workers are less likely to have employer-based health coverage, either through their own workplace or as a dependent on another plan,” according to a new KFF report. “They are also less likely to work for an employer that offers health coverage to any of their employees. If a part-time worker is working for an employer that offers coverage, they are less likely to be eligible to enroll in that coverage.”

Among non-elderly adults employed by public or private employers (excluding the self-employed), 18.5 million (or 14%) of adult workers work part time. Although part-time workers who do not have employer coverage may be eligible for Medicaid or for subsidized coverage in the ACA Marketplaces, recent cuts will make it harder for individuals who may not have access to an affordable, job-based plan to find coverage. 

One reason why part-time workers are less likely to have health coverage through their job is that only 6 in 10 work for an employer that offers health insurance, compared to 84% for full-time workers. Among those who do work for an employer offering health benefits, just 64% are eligible to for coverage:

  •  Eighty-four percent do not work enough hours per week or weeks per year to qualify;
  •  Eight percent are contract or temporary employees; and
  •  Five percent have not worked for their employer long enough to become eligible. 

Among those part-time employees who are eligible but do not access coverage offered at work, 68% cite having other coverage as the reason for not enrolling, while 28% find the coverage too expensive. These workers may struggle to afford the premiums required to enroll in the plan or the cost sharing required by the plan when they use services. Although overall those with employer-sponsored plans spend an average of 4% of their income on premiums and cost sharing, the financial burden is much higher for lower-income households. Fifteen percent of workers have household incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. 

Some employers have taken steps to make coverage more accessible for low-wage workers. In 2024, 14% of firms with 200 or more employees offered a plan with reduced benefits and low premium contributions specifically designed to be affordable for low-wage workers. Additionally, some firms provide voluntary benefits to part-time workers outside of their standard health plans. These benefits may include financial assistance for hospitalization or specialized services such as telehealth.

“Despite these efforts, access to employer-sponsored health benefits remains a significant challenge for many part-time workers,” the report concluded.

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