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    This is a place to discuss small employers and state implementation of health reform. Post questions, comments, ideas, and resources here.

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    Ron Hess
    Maryland
    SHOP Grace Period for Employers

    Is there a grace period for small business's to make premium payments to the health plan in the SHOP. What is the time period for payment or grace period for payments.

    replyApril 30th, '13
    Terry Gardiner
    District of Columbia
    Re: SHOP Grace Period for Employers
    1) HHS has established a uniform federal policy of 90 day grace period for the individual exchange, which would include self-employed individuals.... read more

    1) HHS has established a uniform federal policy of 90 day grace period for the individual exchange, which would include self-employed individuals.
    2) There is NO federal policy for state SHOP exchanges on a grace period for employers. HHS specifically left this to the states to decide. States currently have a grace period in their insurance laws - for example New Jersey and Maryland allows 31 days (one month).
    3) For states with a federally facilitated SHOP exchange I am unsure of the outcome - whether HHS will just follow existing state law in each state or establish a federal standard.

    May 3rd, '13
    Jonni Lu Pool
    New Mexico
    Definition of "Small Employer"

    Are any states discussing changing their definitions of "Small Employer" earlier than the federally mandated date?

    replyNovember 29th, '12
    Jade Christie-Maples
    District of Columbia
    Re: Definition of "Small Employer"
    Hello Jonni. Thank you for your question.... read more

    Hello Jonni. Thank you for your question.

    Many states have analyzed this option, but so far DC is the only state we've seen take action. DC has elected to expand their SHOP market to small employers with 100 or fewer employees and the District is also requiring their participation in the new exchange. See here for their recommendations: http://healthreform.dc.gov/DC/Health%20Reform/Health%20Reform%20Publicat...

    A number of states have also published their analyses of this option. Maryland ultimately decided not to expand the definition ahead of the deadline, but some of the SHOP Advisory Committee supported it. Their report can be viewed here: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/exchange/pdf/FinalSHOPAdvisoryCommittee_2.pdf

    In Colorado, the exchange board recommended not to change the definition of small employer before 2016. See here under Small Group Market Size for their analysis: http://www.getcoveredco.org/Resources/Board-Meeting-Activities/Policy-Is...

    November 30th, '12
    Terry Gardiner
    District of Columbia
    Re: Definition of "Small Employer"
    I am not aware of any state considering expanding the definition of small business beyond 50 employees for the 2014 startup. Most states setting up and exchange went through the analysis of this option and concluded going beyond 50, the traditional... read more

    I am not aware of any state considering expanding the definition of small business beyond 50 employees for the 2014 startup. Most states setting up and exchange went through the analysis of this option and concluded going beyond 50, the traditional small group market would be too much change in 2014 given all the other changes in health insurance.

    May 3rd, '13