Don't Forget: SHOP is Still Open!

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Four Steps to Qualify for SHOP Coverage

Open Enrollment may be over, but there’s still time to provide your small business employees with health coverage through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)! To offer SHOP health insurance to your employees, your business or non-profit organization must meet four requirements: Have 1-50 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs): You must have at least one FTE employee other than owners, business partners, and spouses and family members of owners and business partners. Offer coverage to all eligible full-time employees: This usually means those who work 30 hours per week or more. Enroll at least 70% of the employees you offer insurance to: You may also need to meet a specific minimum participation rate, which usually requires at least 70% of your employees to accept your SHOP coverage offer or have other qualifying coverage. Have a primary business address in the state where you are applying for SHOP coverage: If your business operates in multiple states, check out this resource and see how to access SHOP coverage in your state.

Have questions? Contact your insurance company or a SHOP-registered agent or broker for help with SHOP coverage. For additional assistance, contact the SHOP Call Center at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 1-888-201-6445).   To learn more about Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), visit this webpage. Talk to a licensed tax professional, benefits specialist, or a registered agent or broker to find out more about whether an HRA or traditional group coverage is right for your business.