On April 23, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released two new tools for small employers purchasing coverage through a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange. The SHOP Tax Credit Estimator can help determine the potential amount of any Small Business Health Care Tax Credit an employer may be eligible for. […]
Archive | Affordable Care Act
HHS Delays Online Enrollment for Federal SHOP Exchanges
Beginning with the 2014 plan year, individuals and small employers will be able to purchase health insurance through online competitive marketplaces, or Exchanges. Each state’s Exchange includes a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) component that small employers can use to provide health insurance options for their employees. The Department of Health and Human Services […]
ACA Marketplace FAQ’s
By admin on September 20, 2013 in Affordable Care Act, Employee Benefits, Health Care Reform, Human Resources
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers to provide all new hires and current employees with a written notice about the ACA’s health insurance exchanges (Exchanges), effective Oct. 1, 2013. On Sept. 11, 2013, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a frequently asked question (FAQ) on the penalties for failing to provide an Exchange Notice. […]
Health Care Reform FAQ: Getting Lower Costs on Coverage
How much will Marketplace health insurance cost? Prices of Marketplace plans have not been set yet. Prices will be available Oct. 1, 2013, when open enrollment starts and you can begin shopping. How will Marketplace health plans be priced? All insurance plans available through the Marketplace will be offered by private insurance companies. The insurance […]
Employer Mandate Penalties Delayed Until 2015
The Obama Administration has postponed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate penalties for one year, until 2015. The Department of the Treasury announced the delay on July 2, 2013, along with a similar delay for information reporting by employers, health insurance issuers and self-funded plan sponsors. The delay does not affect any other provision […]
Purpose Employer Solutions Pay or Play Calculator
Purpose Employer Solutions is pleased to announce the addition of the Health Care Reform Pay or Play Calculator to its library of resources. As you may know, beginning in 2014, employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees may be subject to a penalty tax if they do not offer health care coverage to all […]
Health Care Reform: Final Rule Issued on HIPAA Privacy and Security Protections
DID YOU KNOW? While most health plans are now required to cover contraceptives for women without charging a copayment, deductible or coinsurance, churches are currently exempt from this requirement. On Feb. 1, a rule was proposed that would exempt additional religious employers from the contraceptive coverage requirement. This proposal, however, also contains provisions that would […]
Health Care Reform: Relief for Non-calendar Year Plans
DID YOU KNOW? An employer’s coverage is considered unaffordable if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage exceeds 9.5 percent of the employee’s household income. Employers can determine affordability based on the employee’s Form W-2 wages, even though his or her household may have other sources of income. Two additional safe harbors—the rate of pay […]
Health Care Reform: Proposed Rules on Workplace Wellness Programs
DID YOU KNOW? While insured small group plans and individual health insurance policies will be subject to new deductible and out-of-pocket limit caps in 2014, proposed legislation indicates that the government does not intend to impose these regulations on self-insured group health plans or insured large group health plans. In addition, remaining grandfathered group health […]