Small Employer Online Enrollment Process for the Federally Facilitated SHOP Marketplace Delayed until Nov. 2014

Nov. 26, 2013 – The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that online enrollment for small employers who wish to purchase employee health coverage through the federally facilitated Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace has been delayed one year. The online enrollment option is expected to be available November 2014.

Until online enrollment for the SHOP is available, small business employers with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees who wish to purchase coverage through the SHOP Marketplace, may work with an independent agent to select and enroll employees in a qualified health plan utilizing a “direct enrollment” process.
 
With the “direct enrollment” process, employers do not have to apply for SHOP eligibility before enrolling or using HealthCare.gov. Agents can enroll employees and can help the employer fill out a paper application for SHOP eligibility. This application is only necessary for employers who believe they may qualify for the small business health care tax credit.

For more information on the enrollment process for the federally facilitated SHOP Marketplace you may review these frequently asked questions and answers or contact your independent agent.

http://marketplace.cms.gov/getofficialresources/publications-and-articles/faqs-on-shop-enrollment.pdf