- Hundreds of thousands of small-business owners have taken advantage of the law’s tax credit worth up to 35 percent of their premium contribution, which will increase to 50 percent next year, to help them provide coverage to their employees.
- Learn more about Small Business Tax Credits.
- Premiums for employer-sponsored insurance increased only 3 percent in 2012, the lowest rate on record. And under the law, greater accountability for insurance companies has meant that small business know they and their employees will get their money back if insurance companies aren’t spending premium dollars on actual care.
- Last year more than 3.3 million consumers insured through small businesses received an average rebate of $174 because insurance companies failed to spend at least 80 percent of premium revenue on quality health care.
- For people who don’t have insurance, or for small businesses that buy coverage on their own and are looking for a better deal, the law will provide better options through the new Health Insurance Marketplace starting in 2014. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013, for coverage that begins January 1, 2014. Sign up for updates on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- The small employer segment of the Marketplace, known as the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), will provide employers with 50 workers or fewer with a new way to shop for insurance with key advantages that simply don’t exist today.
- Small employers will find clear information on benefits that will help them make simple comparisons about their potential insurance contribution, including whether they qualify for a tax credit. SHOP will help level the playing field for small employers by allowing them to pool their risk together with other small businesses buying plans in SHOP to gain the greater leverage enjoyed by their larger competitors.
- Beginning in either 2014 or 2015 depending on their state, small businesses will be able to offer their employees a range of plan options through multiple insurance companies in the SHOP Marketplace. Small employers wanting to prepare to enroll for coverage this fall can visit HealthCare.gov or call the newly launched SHOP Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-706-7915. And businesses of all sizes can visit business.usa.gov, a one-stop shop to find out how they can take advantage of the law’s benefits.
- That includes important information additional year for those businesses with 50 or more employees that don’t provide health insurance to provide that coverage or pay a fee. Ninety-six percent of America’s businesses have fewer than 50 employees, and most of the rest already offer coverage, so the vast majority of small businesses won’t be affected.
- Because of the law, millions of small businesses, their employees, and customers are enjoying better choices, more control, and greater certainty. That’s good for our business and for our workers. And it’s good for the economy and our country.