Hi,
Well I just finished watching the archive of the webjunction webinar on healthcare.
It's mainly for how libraries can get ready to help patrons coming in for information. Pretty useful webinar for patrons but not really for employers. But I did get a few useful notes.
If any of these items are incorrect, please feel free to speak up.
Marketplace opens, Oct 1, 13- March 31, 2014 -- everybody without healthcare must enroll in a health plan during this time or have to pay a fee on federal income tax. $95/person or $200/family. After 3/31/14 you can enroll if you have qualifying life event. After this 1st open enrollment, the regular open enrollment will be Oct. 15-Dec. 7 each year.
In the Marketplace, users set up an account, and review health plans and enroll.
Folks can also enroll over the phone by calling the call center,
1-800-318-2596
After Oct. 1 there will be groups called, Community Assisters, for each state that will be available for help. These groups are being funded by grants being decided right now.
As to the question of 30 hours and whether employers have to offer health care. I think the confusion is that health care act is considering anybody who regularly works 30 hours a week as full-time. And the requirement isn't 50 FT, its 50 FTE's. I just looked at the state aid report data, and only about 20 libraries (though this number will be higher since FT is 30 hours not 40 hours -- I guess we just work too hard in Michigan) reported over 50 FTE and expect that they already offer health insurance.
They have a nice glossary on the website, and here is where they define FT.
I, like you, would like to be better informed as a employer and to help my business patrons as well.
good luck, lise