Healthcare reform is upon us, and soon all American citizens will be required to have health insurance. They will be able to obtain coverage from a number of sources, including health insurance exchanges or marketplaces, insurance agents, and employers who choose to offer coverage. Not all employers are offering group health insurance to their employees, though, for a number of reasons, including cost and maintenance. There are many reasons why employers should offer group health insurance to their employees, despite the costs involved. Here is a look at a few reasons for this.
Steep Penalties
A new rule that will go into effect in 2015, in direct relation to the Affordable Care Act and healthcare reform in the U.S., states that employers will now face a steep penalty if they do not offer their employees group health insurance coverage. This rule does not apply to all employers. It only applies to those who have 50 or more employees. If they fail to offer group health coverage to their employees, they will face a penalty of $2,000 per employee. This might not seem like much, but the overall cost can quickly add up for employers who have hundreds of employees. Small business owners might also qualify for tax credits that help cover the cost of providing group health insurance.
Consider It Part of the Compensation Package
Many employers consider the health insurance package as part of the employee's total compensation package, which is a good way to attract highly talented and skilled job seekers. Employers can use healthcare benefits as a selling point, since this is one of the main factors that people look for in a new job. With so many employers opting not to offer health insurance coverage to their employees, many skilled professionals are looking for an employer who still offers their workforce a decent plan. Having a high quality benefits package, with low deductibles and plenty of coverage, or offering multiple plans that employees can choose from, makes companies more desirable to work for. Potential employees tend to look for employers who offer the best benefits.
More Bargaining Power
Larger groups have more bargaining power than any individual, and this is especially true in the group health insurance world. Employers can tweak their benefits to meet the needs of their workforce by asking to have certain ones stripped out or added in, depending on the company's needs. By providing employees with a specialized benefits package, companies can cultivate an image that they truly care about the health and well-being of their employees. This can benefit the employer and the company by resulting in low turnover, improved morale, and higher productivity.
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