have been eligible for Medicaid. Georgia, however, did not elect to expand Medicaid. As a result, Georgia citizens who are ineligible for the individual mandate will not have access to insurance through the state’s Medicaid program. Those who have children and receive Medicaid now, however, will continue to do so. Health Insurance Marketplace –The U.S. government’s website, www.healthcare.gov, is where citizens can shop for a suitable healthcare plan. The Family and Individual Marketplace will help with enrollment in private health insurance, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Visit the website and a trained person (navigator) will guide you through your options. Employer Requirements – As of January 2015, employers with 50 or more full-time employees will be required to offer qualified health insurance coverage. Employers who do not offer coverage will be assessed a penalty of $2,000 per full-time employee. Employers with 50 or more full-time employees that offer coverage that does not meet the minimum federal requirements will have to pay the lesser of $3,000 for each employee receiving a premium credit or $2,000 for each full-time employee. Employers with less than 200 employees can purchase insurance from the Small Business Health Options Program for their employees and receive tax-credits to assist with the costs. Although businesses with less than 50 employees are not required to buy coverage for their employees, they will receive a tax credit if they pay at least 50 percent of their fulltime employees’ premium costs.
Here’s Help To shop for a healthcare plan, visit www.Healthcare.gov website. To speak with someone 24 hours/7days a week, call Healthcare.gov at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). For more information, call the Urban League of Greater Atlanta at 404-6591150 or Morehouse School of Medicine at 404-752-1500. Source: The Urban League of Greater Atlanta and Morehouse School of Medicine. The two entities are providing information on the Affordable Care Act to help Georgia residents get enrolled in a healthcare plan. Their goal is to improve health disparities throughout the nation.
16 | www.ocgnews.com • FALL 2013