The calm before the storm – Preparing for possible health care coverage penalties

Description

Abstract: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is set to take full effect in 2014 — including substantial penalties for large employers that don’t meet health care coverage requirements. So contractors should start reviewing their workforces and evaluating the health care benefits they’re providing. This article describes what the law considers a “large employer,” the penalties such employers face if they provide no or inadequate insurance, and the options they might consider. A sidebar looks at the state of government-run health care insurance “exchanges” prescribed under the law.