While
health insurance exchanges for individuals seem to be in the news almost daily,
very little attention is paid to the other Obamacare marketplaces that more
directly impact small business.
These SHOP – or Small Business Health Options Programs –
exchanges have been plagued with even more problems and delays than the
October 2013 roll-out of the individual exchanges, and small business owners
are paying the price.
“SHOP exchanges are important because the only way to access the temporary
small business tax credit is by enrolling in a SHOP exchange plan,” says
Kevin Kuhlman, NFIB Manager of Legislative Affairs.
But because of the limited options available on the exchanges, many small
businesses renewed their current health plan early or chose to use private
health insurance exchanges. This has at least delayed the cost increases
employers will bear under Obamacare, but has denied these small businesses the
offsetting tax credit.
NFIB Healthcare Minute is an NFIB
web video series that answers small business owners’ questions about the
Affordable Care Act and other healthcare issues.