Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), businesses that employ more than 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees are required to provide health insurance coverage to their employees. This mandate is commonly known as the employer mandate or the employer shared responsibility provision.
The ACA sets out minimum standards for health insurance coverage that employers must offer to their employees. These standards include the minimum essential coverage for services like preventative care, hospitalization, and prescription drugs. Employers must also offer coverage that is deemed affordable to their employees, meaning that the cost of premiums for the employer's lowest cost plan cannot exceed 9.5% of the employee's household income.
However, there are certain exceptions and limitations to the employer mandate. Businesses with fewer than 50 FTE employees are not subject to the employer mandate. Additionally, certain types of employees, such as seasonal workers or those working less than 30 hours per week, may not be eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance.
Employers who fail to comply with the ACA's employer mandate may face penalties. The penalty is calculated based on the number of FTE employees and the number of employees who received a premium subsidy through the ACA's health insurance marketplace.
In conclusion, businesses with more than 50 FTE employees are legally required to provide health insurance coverage to their employees that meets the ACA's minimum standards. However, there are exceptions and limitations to this mandate, and noncompliance may result in penalties. Businesses seeking further guidance on complying with the employer mandate should consult with a licensed attorney.
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