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What are Walmart's health insurance benefits for part-time employees?
Executive summary
Walmart generally makes health benefits available to eligible part‑time associates who average at least 30 hours per week over a measurement period (with some exceptions for specific roles) and those eligible can enroll in medical, dental, vision and other optional plans; eligibility is assessed using a 60‑day measurement window for many part‑time and temporary associates [1] [2]. Corporate materials and third‑party summaries report plan features such as low starting premiums and preventive care coverage, but older reporting shows Walmart has also trimmed or restructured part‑time coverage at times, so offerings and eligibility rules have changed over the years [3] [4] [5].
1. How Walmart defines “eligible” part‑time associates
Walmart’s public benefit pages and internal guidance say part‑time and temporary associates who work an average of at least 30 hours per week over a 60‑day measurement period become eligible for benefits; part‑time pharmacists, certain nurse practitioners and field supply chain associates have a lower 24‑hour threshold in some policies [1]. Multiple third‑party benefit guides repeat the same 30‑hour rule for typical part‑time associates [2] [6].
2. What part‑time associates can enroll in once eligible
Reporting and benefit summaries indicate eligible part‑time associates can enroll in medical, dental and vision plans and may choose from optional products such as critical‑illness, accident insurance, and health savings or reimbursement accounts; preventive care is noted as covered at 100% in some plan descriptions [2] [4]. Corporate materials in later years emphasize affordable options and program expansions (for example, low biweekly premiums cited for 2026 in corporate copy), though that specific 2026 premium figure is from Walmart’s site [3].
3. Effective dates, measurement windows and enrollment timing
Walmart uses measurement periods (commonly 60 days for part‑time and temporary associates) to determine eligibility, and new hires must meet the hours average during that window to enroll; corporate pages and internal PDFs describe effective dates tied to hire and measurement outcomes [1] [7]. Third‑party summaries echo the 60‑day measurement period before benefits begin for part‑time associates [6].
4. Important exclusions and limits for part‑time workers
Some internal documents and benefit guides note limits: certain company‑paid protections like disability coverage and company‑paid life insurance may not be available to part‑time hourly and temporary associates, and dependent coverage rules can differ (for example, some part‑time plans may only allow covering eligible dependent children and not spouses/partners) [7]. Third‑party summaries caution that optional add‑ons and dependent coverage can carry higher premiums [8].
5. Historical changes and controversy: what’s changed over time
News reporting from past years shows Walmart has adjusted part‑time coverage in response to cost pressures: in 2014–2015 the company announced it would stop offering insurance to employees working under 30 hours on average and cut benefits for some part‑timers, a move that affected tens of thousands and drew criticism [5] [9]. Advocacy pieces and industry commentary framed these moves as part of broader employer trends to limit part‑time benefits, while Walmart framed changes as cost‑management and offered help finding alternatives [5] [10].
6. What to verify with HR or up‑to‑date sources
Available sources document eligibility rules, typical plan types, and past changes, but specifics such as current premiums, exact plan options in your state, dependent eligibility rules, tobacco surcharges, and any new pilots (for instance AI‑supported plans or specific 2026 pricing) are described in company pages and may vary by year or location—so verify current plan details with Walmart HR or the company benefits portal [1] [3] [4]. Available reporting does not provide a complete current rate table or every state‑by‑state variation; those are not found in the supplied sources.
7. Competing perspectives and takeaways
Walmart and corporate summaries emphasize affordability and expanded offerings for eligible associates (including low advertised starting premiums and program expansions) as evidence the company provides meaningful part‑time benefits [3] [4]. Critics and historical news coverage point to periods when Walmart reduced part‑time coverage and note that many retailers do not offer part‑time benefits—so whether Walmart’s package is generous depends on which time‑frame and which metrics you use [5] [10]. Both perspectives are present in the sources: corporate materials document current offerings and pricing claims, while news and advocacy pieces document past cuts and industry context [3] [5] [10].
If you want, I can draft the specific questions to ask HR (effective date, required average hours, current premiums, dependent rules, tobacco surcharges, available HSA/HRA match) so you can get definitive, up‑to‑date answers for your location. Available sources do not mention those exact, current‑year figures for individual employees beyond the summaries cited above [1] [3] [4].