Businesses with fewer than 100 employees will have until 2016 to offer their workers health insurance or face penalties, according to a regulation released by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate had already been delayed until 2015 for all businesses with 50 or more employees. Businesses with fewer than 50 workers are exempt from providing health coverage under the ACA.
Under the new IRS regulation, released on Feb. 10, businesses with 50-99 workers have until 2016 before complying with the mandate, but they must report on their workers and coverage in 2015.
Larger businesses can phase in their health insurance offering starting in 2015. Under the rule, businesses with 100 or more workers must offer coverage to 70% of their full-time employees in 2015, and 95% of full-time workers in 2016.
mschneider@frontlinemedcom.com
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