Federal Government Adds PPACA Website for Small-business Education

 The Small Business Administration, working in tandem with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Treasury Department, has set up a new educational website to act as an interactive “wizard” for small businesses, helping them quickly understand need-to-know information about PPACA insurance options. Small business owners who access the site first provide information about their company’s location and size. This initial step requires information such as whether the user is self-employed with no employees, an employer with fewer than 25 employees, up to 50 employees, or more than 50 employees.

Once the wizard understands the basic makeup of a small business, it provides explanations of how an employer can determine its status under the PPACA, specifically if it has at least 50 full-time or full-time equivalent employees. The site also provides answers to questions regarding the need for an agent or broker to buy health insurance on state or federal exchanges and how to set up compliant small-group health plans. Some states, however, receive no mention by the SBA as they are actively working to eliminate small-group market broker commissions (e.g. Vermont).