Enrollment & Eligibility Who is Eligible? The general rule is that if an employer Below are more details regarding who offers group health coverage to any can receive coverage under your full-time employees, the employer must business’s group plan. In addition, any offer coverage to all full-time employees dependents of eligible employees are (defined as those working 30 or more also generally eligible for coverage hours per week). under a group plan. Dependents include spouses, children, and in some cases, unmarried domestic partners. Dependents cannot enroll for coverage The employer also has the option of unless the employee has enrolled. An offering coverage to part-time employees employer can cover any employee who (defined as those working 20 to 29 hours is on the payroll and for whom he or she per week). If the employer offers coverage pays payroll taxes. Although employees to any part-time employees, all part-time can opt out of the benefit program, employees must be offered coverage. virtually all insurers do require that a minimum number of your employees participate in their plan. Eligible employees generally include those who These rules apply regardless of the are on paid vacation, maternity or sick medical condition of the employees. In leave. With few exceptions, employees other words, an eligible employee cannot who are on unpaid leave are ineligible be denied coverage based on previous until they return to active work. medical issues, known as pre existing conditions.