Dental coverage is one of the major considerations when the question of what your group needs to know about changes in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) comes around. There have many changes with the ACA itself, making it challenging for brokers and employers to navigate the best course of action for employees in need of benefits. With the ACA’s first year under its belt, employer groups are more aware of what’s coming down the line for 2015. 

Open enrollment will soon be here, offering the opportunity to change or renew plans for 2015. Small group – also known as the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)– enrollment will open November 15^th so arm your employer groups with the tools they need to help their employees.

What needs to be done for 2015?

Healthcare.gov offers detailed information about what happens next for individuals and small groups enrolled in the Marketplace. They will be sending out notices of whether an employee or group is automatically enrolled for 2015 or not – as well as outlining options for changing to a different plan. The various plans and prices for next year will become available in early November of this year. The process for enrollment varies by state. It is critical to encourage HR to inform their employees to update personal information and report any changes from their application in 2014. These changes can affect their premium tax credits and other savings, or they may be eligible for different plans if an employee has moved to a new location.

If a business has 50 or fewer full-time working employees, they may be eligible to enroll in the SHOP. SHOP offers a simple method for selecting benefits for businesses. Your clients can choose to either enroll themselves on their own, or turn to you, the broker, for insight as to what plans would offer them the best coverage. Find out if SHOP coverage works for your groups here.

How are small businesses affected by upcoming changes?

It is imperative that small-business owners prepare for the upcoming reporting requirements under the health care law to make certain they are in compliance.  The best advice available lies with you, the broker. Successful brokers must be able to outline the requirements businesses must follow in order to be ACA compliant. As an expert on health care, it your clients are turning to you to understand the tax changes that may be related. The new laws affect employers  in different ways, so it is important for you to serve as a source of knowledge for HR managers that can be trusted. Providing them with collateral that breaks down the steps they must take and options they must consider are valuable tools that will reassure your clients that they are compliant and make you shine.

What do I need to know about dental coverage?

apply to adults. Insurers are not required to offer dental coverage for adults. So, how can a person obtain dental insurance coverage? Through the Federal Marketplace or through group or individual policies. As a group’s broker, be sure to include dental coverage as part of your 2015 quoting process. If you have a small group that needs to “pay or play,” many carriers offer ACA-certified dental plans for children, individuals and families on a group level.   

Wrapping your hands around changes in ACA can be intimidating, especially when you’re guiding your employer groups through these changes as well.  It is in your best interest to stay on top of the changes so you can be your client’s go-to professional who understands the ins and outs. Ask questions and make certain you stay on top of any deadlines to report changes and/or make changes if so desired. If you have further questions or are searching for dependable information to provide for your clients, browse our Broker Blog – we have a ton of free tools and info for you to tap into!

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