Affordable Care Act: employer considerations for 2015

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided for a complete reconstruction of the health care financing model in the US. Because employer provided health insurance is, and has been, a major component of that financing system, some of the changes created by the ACA directly affect employers. The regulating agencies have provided for a "phase in" approach of the ACA's "pay or play" mandate (the Mandate). The Mandate was originally drafted to be effective Jan 1, 2014; however, the application of penalties was suspended for 2014. Employers are advised to use the transition period until such date to review their current benefit and corporate structures to determine how the Mandate will affect their operations and benefits. The analysis consists of answering the following four questions: 1. Are You subject to the mandate? 2. Are you playing? 3. How much will you pay? 4. What is your strategy?