Notice of Exchanges and Subsidies
Virtually all employers, regardless of size, are required to distribute a Notice of Exchanges and Subsidies to each employee (regardless of part-time, full-time, or health plan enrollment status) by October 1, 2013. Additionally, beginning on October 1, 2013, this notice must be provided to each new employee within 14 days of the employee’s commencement of employment. Two sample notices are available: one for employers who offer a company-sponsored health plan to some or all employees (Notice of Exchange and Subsidies with Health Insurance) and one for employers who do not offer a health insurance plan (Notice of Exchange and Subsidies without Health Insurance). These notices can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform/. Spanish versions of these notices are also available on this site.
The purpose of these Notice of Exchanges and Subsidies is to inform employees of the existence of Health Insurance Exchanges (also called Health Insurance Marketplaces) and potential federal subsidies available to them in 2014. The Exchanges are government-provided virtual marketplaces intended to offer individuals and small groups “one-stop shopping” to find and compare private health insurance options. Open enrollment for health insurance coverage through these Marketplaces begins October 1, 2013 and coverage is available beginning on January 1, 2014.
New York Health Benefit Exchange – Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP):
In 2014, small businesses (50 or fewer employees) can buy coverage directly from their insurer or from New York’s new Health Benefit Exchange (https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/). The Exchange will help you shop for and enroll in health insurance. You will be able to use the Exchange to compare insurance options and prices offered through the Exchange. You will also be able to calculate costs and enroll in coverage online, in person, over the phone or by mail. You can purchase insurance through the Health Benefit Exchange beginning in October 2013 for coverage starting January 1, 2014.
Florida and Georgia: Both Florida and Georgia will have health insurance exchanges ready by October 1, 2013, including a SHOP exchange for small businesses. Both of these states have opted to allow the federal government to set up and operate their exchange, as opposed to having the state government set one up.
To shop in the Exchange for Florida and Georgia, please use https://www.healthcare.gov to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. Specific plans and prices will be available on October 1, 2013, when the Exchanges’ open enrollment begins. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2014.
You can use this link to get more information and view helpful information regarding the Exchanges in all of the states: https://www.healthcare.gov/health-insurance-marketplace.
