HealthSource RI for Employers and SBA Rhode Island District Office to Co-host Discussion on Upcoming 2016 Changes in the Affordable Care Act for Small Business

PROVIDENCE, RI – HealthSource RI (HSRI) for Employers, the state’s official Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Rhode Island District Office are co-hosting a discussion with SBA Regional Director Seth Goodall on Monday, December 7, 2015, at 11 am in the Imperial Room at One Rhodes Place, Cranston. A networking session will follow at 12 noon.

Goodall will update small business owners on 2016 changes coming to SHOP programs. Some changes include the size of small businesses eligible to enroll in SHOP, changes for self-employed groups, and how full- and part-time employees are counted for eligibility purposes.

“The Affordable Care Act provides a great opportunity for small businesses to access healthcare for their employees,” said Seth Goodall, SBA Regional Administrator. “This event will provide information on how the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) can provide choices for small employers which will help allow for greater employee retention,” Goodall added.

HealthSource RI for Employers features a key advantage over small business coverage offered outside of the health insurance exchange known as “Full Employee Choice.” The program has helped Rhode Island become one of the leading state-based exchanges in the country.

“HealthSource RI for Employers offers a Full Employee Choice program that gives employers maximum flexibility in customizing health plan options for their employees,” said Rhode Island Department of Administration Director Michael DiBiase. “It is an attractive benefit for employers in which they can offer a wide variety of plans instead of the common ‘one plan fits all’ approach. Employers decide what they can afford, and employees can choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget,” he said.

Small businesses and their employees enrolled with HealthSource RI for Employers have access to 24 health plans and seven dental plans offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Dental, Delta Dental, Guardian and Dentegra.

Employers may sign-up for coverage through HealthSource RI for Employers year-round in advance of their annual renewal date.

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