Dive Summary:

• Trader Joe's CEO Dan Bane issued a memo to employees on Aug. 30 explaining those who log fewer than 30 hours per week will need to seek out their own health insurance options next year under Obamacare, The Huffington Post reports.
• In the meantime, the grocery chain will continue to offer health insurance to employees working more than 30 hours per week and will issue checks for $500 in January to employees who need to use insurance exchanges being established under the Affordable Care Act.
• Bane wrote to employees in the memo that with "the $500 from Trader Joe's and the tax credits available under the ACA, many of you should be able to obtain health care coverage at very little if any net cost to you."

Dive Insight:

Trader Joe's has been recognized in the past for offering health care options, including dental and vision plans, to its part-time workers, and the company is staying committed to "providing all our Crew Members with benefits that are among the best in our industry," a spokeswoman told HuffPo.

This new move would come ahead of rules in the Affordable Care Act that require companies with 50 or more employees to offer health coverage to their workers.