10/14/2026
Hiring extra help for the busy season? 👥 Seasonal and part-time employees can raise some important health insurance questions:
✅ Are they eligible for your company health plan?
✅ Is there a waiting period before coverage begins?
✅ Could their hours affect your employee count under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
✅ If they aren’t eligible for your plan, do they know where else they can look for coverage?
One detail that can surprise employers is that part-time employees may still affect whether a business is considered an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) under the ACA because their hours are used to calculate full-time equivalents.
There’s also a special rule that may apply to employers whose workforce temporarily exceeds 50 employees because of seasonal workers, but specific requirements must be met.
So, before the seasonal rush begins, review your health plan’s eligibility rules, understand how additional workers may affect your ACA calculations, and clearly explain benefits eligibility to every new hire.
If you need help sorting through the details, we can help you review your group benefits and understand the considerations for seasonal and part-time employees.
