Offering different plans by class
Segment by full-time, seasonal, or location — both plans allowed.
Your workforce isn't uniform, and your benefits don't have to be either. When you're managing different employee groups with varying needs and budgets, offering the same plan to everyone may not make sense. Class-based plan design lets you match coverage to each segment of your workforce while staying compliant with ACA requirements.
Understanding class-based eligibility
Classes are legally recognized ways to segment your workforce for benefits purposes. The ACA allows employers to offer different benefit levels based on objective employment categories. Common class distinctions include:
- Full-time versus part-time status
- Hourly versus salaried positions
- Seasonal versus year-round employment
- Geographic location (different facilities or regions)
- Department or job function
- Union versus non-union status
The key requirement: you must apply benefits consistently to everyone within a class. You can't make individual exceptions or cherry-pick who gets which plan within a defined group.
Legal compliance note
Class distinctions must be based on legitimate business classifications already in use at your company. Creating new categories solely to differentiate benefits could raise discrimination concerns.
How Benefi supports multi-class structures
Benefi MEC plans adapt to your workforce segmentation needs. You can offer Essential ($59/month) to one class and Plus ($129/month) to another, or make both tiers available within a class for employee choice.
Common configurations we see:
- Salaried employees: Plus plan with enhanced benefits
- Hourly workers: Essential plan for core coverage
- Seasonal staff: Essential with adjusted waiting periods
- Multi-location employers: Different tiers by facility based on local labor markets
Your Benefi account manager works with you during implementation to build the right class structure. We configure the system to reflect your employee categories, ensuring seamless enrollment and administration.
The beauty of class-based design is flexibility without complexity. Employees see only the options available to their class during enrollment. Your HR team manages one benefits platform regardless of how many configurations you run. Monthly billing automatically reflects the plan mix across your classes, and moves between classes trigger appropriate plan changes without manual intervention.