Benefit Airship launches the first turnkey, ACA-compliant benefits solution for Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) to help companies avoid costly IRS penalties at $0 employer cost.

When “Part-Time” Turns Into a Full-Time Problem

Many business owners are shocked to learn they qualify as an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

According to the IRS, any business that employs 50 or more full-time or full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees must offer affordable, ACA-compliant health coverage — or face substantial penalties.

This rule doesn’t just apply to big corporations.

It affects restaurants, hospitality groups, franchises, retailers, and service companies — businesses where part-time work is common. When those part-time hours are added together, many companies unexpectedly cross the ALE threshold.

The Hidden Cost of Ignoring ACA Compliance

If an ALE fails to offer compliant coverage to at least 95% of its full-time employees, the IRS can assess what’s known as the “Penalty A” (Employer Shared Responsibility Payment).

For 2025, the Penalty A rate is $2,970 per employee per year (after excluding the first 30 employees).

Let’s do the math.

Example:
A restaurant with 60 full-time equivalent employees that doesn’t offer compliant coverage could face:

(60–30)×$2,970=$89,100 in annual IRS penalties.(60 – 30) × \$2,970 = \$89,100 \text{ in annual IRS penalties.}(60–30)×$2,970=$89,100 in annual IRS penalties.

And that’s just the base penalty — the amount can easily exceed $100,000 once additional costs, filing errors, or late notices are factored in.

For many small and mid-sized businesses, that’s a devastating and completely avoidable expense.

Businesses Most at Risk of ACA Penalties

Many employers don’t realize they qualify as Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) until it’s too late. Even companies that rely heavily on part-time or seasonal staff can easily cross the 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) threshold.

Here are some of the most common types of businesses that routinely exceed ACA limits without realizing it:

• Restaurants and Cafés — Multiple locations, shift workers, and seasonal staff quickly add up to 50+ FTEs.

• Bars and Breweries — Flexible scheduling and weekend staff often push totals higher than expected.

• Hotels and Resorts — Even with high turnover, daily housekeeping, front desk, and food service employees count toward ACA totals.

• Grocery Stores and Markets — Long operating hours require overlapping shifts that easily create 50+ FTEs.

• Home Care and Senior Care Agencies — Rotating care schedules can create dozens of full-time equivalents even with mostly part-time workers.

• Staffing and Temp Agencies — Contract and short-term placements count toward ACA totals, not just permanent hires.

• Salons, Spas, and Wellness Centers — Part-time stylists, receptionists, and technicians often total more than 50 FTEs when combined.

• Construction and Trade Companies — Crews, seasonal labor, and site staff contribute to full-time equivalent totals even when hours vary.

The Benefit Airship Solution

Benefit Airship was created to help employers beat ACA penalties and take control of their healthcare costs.

We offer a turnkey benefits solution that’s:

• ACA-Compliant — Meets federal coverage requirements with full major medical insurance
  Fast & Simple — Register and launch benefits in minutes — no census or pre-qualification required

• Affordable — Premiums are substantially lower than ACA Marketplace and traditional group plans

• Flexible — Employers can sponsor part of the cost or make it 100% voluntary for employees

• $0 Employer Cost — Businesses can offer compliant healthcare options without spending a dime

That means you can protect your company from tens of thousands in potential penalties — for $0.

Perfect for Restaurants, Retail, and Service Companies

Businesses with high turnover or large part-time staffs often struggle to manage traditional insurance programs. Benefit Airship makes it effortless.

Our programs include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Mental Health, and Rx coverage — all in one plan

• Nationwide networks — available in all 50 states

• Guaranteed-issue options — no preexisting condition exclusions

• Best-in-class support — physician-guided assistance for every healthcare journey
  

Whether you’re managing 50 employees or 500, we make ACA compliance achievable, affordable, and immediate.

Beat the Penalties. Protect Your Business. Help Your Team.

Don’t wait for an IRS notice to find out you’ve crossed the ALE threshold. If you have 50 or more full-time equivalent employees, you are required to offer coverage — but with Benefit Airship, compliance is simple.

You can offer your team access to high-quality healthcare and avoid massive ACA fines, all with zero cost or risk to your business.

Take Flight Toward Affordable Compliance

If your business has 50 or more employees — full-time or part-time — it’s time to protect yourself from unnecessary penalties and take advantage of Benefit Airship’s year-round, ACA-compliant programs.