Group health plans may deny participation based on which of the following criteria?

Group health plans may deny participation based on a member’s part-time employment status because eligibility for many group health plans is often linked to the amount of hours worked. Typically, plans are designed for full-time employees, and those who work part-time may not meet the minimum hours requirement to qualify for coverage. This criterion is legitimate under the regulations governing group health insurance, allowing employers to set standards related to employment status for their health plans.

In contrast, health history, age, and location generally cannot be used as bases for denying participation in group health plans due to regulations that prohibit discrimination based on these factors to promote equitable access to health insurance. Therefore, the criteria related to employment status is the only option that can validly affect eligibility for participation in a group health plan.