When do employers have to offer a health plan

Do employers in Arizona have to offer health insurance to people who work 30 hours per week? I’m planning to move there, and would like to know how likely I am to find a job with benefits.

Heading to Pumpkinville

Dear Heading to Pumpkinville,

The shortest answer: no.  The slightly longer answer: not yet, but wait a bit.  Currently, Massachusetts is the only state that requires employers to offer health insurance.  If health reform moves ahead as planned, however, on January 1, 2014, employers in all states who have at least 50 employees will have to offer health insurance to employees who work 30 hours per week. Your new state will likely be dragged in kicking and screaming: in Arizona, Proposition 106 – which rejected the health reform insurance mandate — got 55 percent of the vote.

Linda Riddell

About Linda Riddell

A published author and health policy analyst with 25 years’ experience, Linda Riddell's goal is to alleviate the widespread ailment of not knowing what your health plan can do for you.