<p>I thought we were talking about ACA texaspg?</p>
<p>We can argue about the definition of small business but…I think small business as it relates to ACA is what is important in this thread, no?</p>
<p>What makes you think I am not? I am suggesting that there are newer numbers we should use if we want to discuss this any further.</p>
<p>Btw, I am not for promoting the arguments about what the future might portend but there are different companies who are doing different things to address ACA. My company went out and built clinics on our sites while some others are taking a tack that messes with employees by cutting their hours. So I would let people discuss if their companies are doing anything different TODAY…</p>
<p>OK, let’s clarify, because now I don’t even understand what we are talking about when we say “small business.” The Small Business Administration defines almost all businesses as small, including businesses with 1500 employees. That doesn’t seem to be a useful definition.</p>
<p>Poetgrl, when you say that small businesses are going to have trouble with the ACA, what size businesses are you talking about? Do you mean to talk about businesses with employment less than 50, who are not subject to the employer mandate and who will have to venture into the jungle of SHOP? Or bigger businesses, perhaps 50-100 people, who are subject to the employer mandate? Or businesses bigger than that?</p>
<p>What size employers are seeing 300% increases in their premiums?</p>
<p>dstark, I think the answer to your question (#3879) is COBRA, wikipedia: “The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (or COBRA) is a law passed by the U.S. Congress on a reconciliation basis and signed by President Ronald Reagan that, among other things, mandates an insurance program giving some employees the ability to continue health insurance coverage after leaving employment.”</p>
<p>Typically costs a lot as you pay the entire amount and is available for 1 year.</p>
<p>dstark, if you leave your job you have a “qualifying event” so you can buy individual insurance right then and there. You don’t have to wait for the enrollment period. Same thing if you have a baby: you can buy insurance for the baby right away.</p>
<p>[on edit] Or, as NJres says, you can buy COBRA.</p>
<p>Texaspg, regarding ACA, the key numbers are 25 full time employees, 50 full time employees, wages of the employees, right?</p>
<p>Things have changed a bit but …isnt this the general idea?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health_reform_for_small_businesses.pdf[/url]”>http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health_reform_for_small_businesses.pdf</a></p>
<p>ACA is clear about not having to offer insurance for a company of a particular size. So do we even care about them?</p>
<p>Texaspg, regarding ACA, the key numbers are 25 full time employees, 50 full time employees, wages of the employees, right?</p>
<p>Things have changed a bit but …isnt this the general idea?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health_reform_for_small_businesses.pdf[/url]”>http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/health_reform_for_small_businesses.pdf</a></p>
<p>The right side of page 2… For those that own very small businesses…arent you qualifying for tax credits?</p>
<p>Well, not having to doesn’t mean they don’t. So, yes, I do think there are going to numbers affected in the very small business category, too.</p>
<p>So…an ex-employee can sign up for coverage and he or she is insured that day?</p>
<p>There isnt a waiting period between the time you sign up and the insurance takes affect?</p>
<p>No waiting period. The enrollment period is to prevent people from gaming the system by waiting until they get sick to sign up, not to prevent people who need/want to be insured from buying insurance.</p>
<p>That is great thanks.</p>
<p>My H’s BSBC group policy premium dropped $2/month less for his portion of the premiums (employer pays for the other 66-75% of the premiums) for 2014–at least it’s heading in the right direction. Sadly, the annual cap for individuals and families has risen slightly. It was $2500/7500 and now is $3000/9000 with no lifetime max. It’s still an excellent policy and there is no deductible.</p>
<p>dstark - I am not sure who you are asking. </p>
<p>However, based on your link, I would really ask this question of kmcmom who did not respond about how many people from her company are being asked to go to the exchanges. If the Government is giving tax credits for insuring people in small businesses, is it still necessary to send them off?</p>
<p>Texaspg, that is a good question.</p>
<p>Texaspg, those tax credits are for firms where the average salary is less than $50,000 (I think?); they don’t cover the entire cost and they will expire in a few years. There are quite a few hurdles to clear before you qualify for them.</p>
<p>GP - Very few small companies other than in Technology startups would have 50k averages. I know many doctors’ practices where second highest paid after the doctor is usually the office administrator and they average 30-35k in Houston.</p>
<p>I don’t know why people are assuming there will be no changes to large group plans. Large groups will be incentivized to cut their costs, so I can easily see them transition to plans with larger deductibles, copays and narrow networks, just like the individual market. I also see many companies hiring part time workers to avoid providing them with insurance. There are also companies whose share of the employee’s premiums are more than 9.5% of the employee’s salary. Those companies will be very motivated to look for ways to save money.</p>
<p>I think if you apply for the credits, the company would have to shop for insurance on the exchanges. Those are policies the owner of the business may not want. Kind of like how many of us are not happy with the choices on the exchanges for the individual market.</p>
<p>^ there will be changes, but that was delayed a year for obvious political reasons. People throwing around that only 5% are affected are not being accurate.</p>