Yesterday, the California Health Insurance Exchange announced which carriers intend to offer individual plans through Covered California, California's Exchange. The California Health Insurance Exchange will be an online portal where where California individuals, families, and small businesses can shop for health insurance plans and receive access to federal tax credits. Covered California will open for enrollment October 1, 2013 with coverage beginning January 1, 2014. 

With 2014 looming, businesses of all sizes are scrambling to understand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will affect their bottom line. How many employers will drop group health insurance coverage in 2014? How will larger employers deal with the employer mandate ("play or pay") decision?

This guide provides an overview of the Maine Health Insurance Exchange including the history of the exchange, how the exchange will operate, and exchange information for Maine residents and small businesses.

As a small business owner, you may be asking "starting in 2014, do I have to provide health insurance to employees?" No business has to offer health insurance. However, the Affordable Care Act includes a mandate for certain large employers (with over 50 full time equivalent employees) to either offer qualified and affordable health benefits, or pay a tax penalty. This is commonly referred to as the employer mandate, “play or pay” requirement, or employer shared responsibility.

This guide provides an overview of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange including the history of the exchange, how the exchange will operate, and exchange information for Pennsylvania residents and small businesses.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires large employers (with 50+ full time equivalent employees) to either offer minimum value and affordable health insurance coverage to full time employees, or pay an employer health insurance tax penalty based on full-time employees. This requirement is also commonly referred to as the ACA employer mandate, "play or pay" or employer shared responsibility.

The Washington DC Health Insurance Exchange announced last Friday which insurance carriers intend to offer policies through their health insurance marketplace. The DC Health Insurance Exchange has been closely watched because, by 2016, all individual and small group policies will be purchased only through the public exchange.*

This guide provides an overview of the Louisiana Health Insurance Exchange including the history of the exchange, how the exchange will operate, and exchange information for Louisiana residents and small businesses.

Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) are federally regulated, employer-sponsored health benefit plans that allow participants to receive reimbursement for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses (including certain health insurance premiums). Reimbursements for eligible medical expenses made via an HRA are 100% employer funded, and are generally excluded from federal, state and Social Security taxes.

Stand-alone Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) provide small businesses a way to offer employees excellent health benefits without the cost or complication of group health insurance.