ACA measurement periods

Departments and hiring managers can use these measurement periods to determine benefits eligibility.

Initial period	Standard period
Non-benefits eligible employees hired on or after Oct. 1, 2013, will be measured to determine eligibility, beginning the first of the month following hire.	Non-benefits eligible employees continue to be measured to determine eligibility every year, Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.
If average 30 or more hours per week, offer health, life and disability coverage by the beginning of the 13th month; not eligible for tuition waiver or paid benefits leave plans. Coverage will continue for the initial stability period regardless of the number of hours worked per week during the stability period.	If average 30 or more hours per week, offer health, life and disability coverage during the Open Enrollment Periods; not eligible for tuition waiver or paid benefits leave plans. Coverage will continue for the standard stability period regardless of the number of hours worked per week during the stability period.

First standard measurement period after the initial measurement period: If an employee does not average 30 or more hours per week, coverage is canceled at the end of the initial stability period.

Subsequent standard measurement periods: If an employee does not average 30 or more hours per week, coverage is canceled at 11:59 pm at the end of the pay period in which Dec. 31 occurs.

Break-in service rules

The Affordable Care Act guidelines must be used to determine average hours during the initial and standard measurement periods for all academic personnel, staff members and student employees.

Type of unpaid break	Impact on ACA measurement period
Less than four consecutive weeks.	Zero hours will be used to determine the average hours for up to three weeks maximum.
Four to 26 consecutive weeks and break does not exceed the length of pre-break employment, includes: Rehired employees. Unpaid non-FMLA leaves. Unpaid non-USERRA - military leaves.	Measurement period average will be used for each week during the break to determine average hours. Not treated as a period during which 0 hours are credited. Not eligible for a new measurement period.
Four to 26 consecutive weeks and break exceeds the length of pre-break employment, includes: Rehired employees. Unpaid non-FMLA leaves. Unpaid non-USERRA - military leaves.	The new measurement period starts the first of the month following the return to work or rehire date.
More than 26 consecutive weeks.	The new measurement period starts the first of the month following the return to work or rehire date.
Special unpaid FMLA and USERRA - military - leave provided employee returns to work after the leave of absence.	Measurement period average - excluding unpaid FMLA and USERRA leave - will be used for the period on unpaid FMLA or USERRA leave to determine average hours.

ACA measurement periods

Book traversal links for ACA measurement periods