Affordable Care Act (simplified) 9/17/13

Affordable                                 Care Act Alert

Starting                                 January 1, 2014, individuals, families, and                                 employees of small businesses will have access                                 to affordable health care coverage through a new                                 competitive private insurance market called the                                 Health Insurance Marketplace.  The                                 Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires many                                 employers to provide written notice to their                                 employees (by October 1, 2013) about the health                                 insurance options available through the new                                 Health Insurance Marketplace. Companies                                 covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)                                 should provide this notice to their                                 employees.  In general, the FLSA covers                                 employers (with at least one employee) who are                                 engaged in, or produce goods for, interstate                                 commerce. For most companies, a test of not less                                 than $500,000 in annual dollar volume of                                 business applies.

Current                                 employees must be provided with written notice                                 no later than October 1, 2013. Employees hired                                 after October 1, 2013, must be provided with                                 notice at the time of hire. For 2014, notice is                                 considered provided at the time of hire if it is                                 provided to the employee within 14 days of the                                 hire date.

The                                 Department of Labor (DOL) has provided                                 model notices to help employers                                 comply.  The DOL specifically indicates on                                 its website that there is no fine or penalty                                 under the law for failing to provide the                                 notice.