I work part-time for a large employer. Is my employer required to offer me health benefits? What about benefits for my spouse and kids?

No, large employers are not required to offer health benefits to part-time employees and there is no penalty for large employers that don’t offer health benefits to part-time employees or their dependents. If you work part-time and you are not offered health benefits, you (and your family) can apply for coverage in the Marketplace and you may be eligible for financial assistance. Subsidies are calculated based on the price of available plans and household income; lower income individuals are eligible for greater subsidy amounts. Note that under federal rules, a part-time employee is one that works, on average, fewer than 30 hours per week. If your hours vary during the year, your employer may have some options in determining your status as a full-time or part-time worker. Your employer can tell you whether you are a full or part-time worker. (26 U.S.C. § 4980H; 26 U.S.C. 36B).