The Obama Administration has extended the time employers with more than 50 employees have, to offer health insurance to their employees, or face a per-employee penalty. The mandate was originally scheduled to start in 2014 and has now been extended to 2015. The extension was prompted by complaints that the reporting rules for the mandate are too complicated and require more time to prepare for, according to an article in the Sacramento Business Journal.
Employers with more than 50 employees are still being encouraged to offer their employers insurance, despite the delay in the insurance reporting requirement. The individual insurance mandate requiring nearly all Americans to carry health insurance by 2014 remains in effect.
While some business owners and representatives and Republicans hail the delay as necessary for businesses to adequately prepare for the requirement, consumer advocacy group leaders, such as Ron Pollack, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Families USA, say the delay will only increase the burden on workers whose employers offer no coverage or sub-standard coverage. Individuals with no employer-sponsored health insurance will have to seek coverage through state or federal health insurance exchanges.
Despite the delay for employers, as of now, individuals will still be required to carry health insurance by 2014, or pay a penalty, with few exceptions. California’s health insurance exchange, Covered California, is on track to begin enrolling individuals on October 1st.
Benefit Packages will be Exchange Certified, and can help you explore your options and get coverage, both in and outside the exchange, with well-respected carriers such as Anthem Blue Cross of California. Visit our website for more information, or call us at 1-800-356-3615.