HealthCare.org announced changes for SHOP enrollment. If you have a small business and have offered a SHOP health plan to your employees in 2014, you’ll need to handle the renewal of your SHOP coverage offer online.
HealthCare.org announced the changes to or renewal of your health plans will be now done online.
Here are few things employers need to know about renewing or changing SHOP coverage for 2015:
• Beginning November 15th, you’ll be able to renew or change SHOP coverage online. You’ll no longer be able to renew your SHOP coverage directly with an insurance company or have to use a paper application.
• Once you make your online offer of coverage to your employees, they‘ll also be able to renew or change their coverage online.
• You’ll need to give your employees at least a week to decide if they want to accept your offer for 2015 SHOP coverage. If they enroll by December 15th, their coverage will take effect as early as January 1, 2015.
• If you had 1-50 full time equivalent employees in 2014, but have added more employees after beginning your coverage – you may still be eligible to renew or change your SHOP coverage in 2015.
The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace helps small businesses provide health coverage to their employees. The SHOP Marketplace is open to employers with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs). This includes non-profit organizations.
If you want to know if your business qualifies to offer SHOP to your employees, please contact us today.