16 Dec SHOP Online Delay

Source: United Benefit Advisors (UBA)

Employers who purchase small group coverage won’t be able to purchase health plans online through PPACA’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) until November 2014 for plan year 2015, The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported.

Eligible small businesses in states with a federally run SHOP can still take advantage of PPACA’s small business tax credit — which in 2014 could be worth up to 50 percent of employer-paid premium costs — by doing either of the following: 1) Enrolling employees in coverage through an agent, broker or insurer that offers a certified SHOP plan and has agreed to conduct enrollment according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) standards; or 2) Filling out an application form themselves or calling a special SHOP-exchange call center.

SHRM based its report on an online posting by HHS.