[All_staff] Affordable Care Act Employer Notice

[Rhonda Barbosa]

Dear Colleagues, 

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (the healthcare reform law) requires the attached notice be sent to every employee. The notice describes the new online Health Insurance Marketplace, also called an exchange, available at www.healthcare.gov beginning October 1, 2013. The Marketplace describes options you may have available for health insurance (other than employer-based plans) and is designed for easy cost and coverage comparisons. The notice also includes information about coverage you may be eligible for through Jefferson Science Associates. 

Starting in 2014, if you do not have medical coverage, you will have to pay a penalty (in the form of a tax). If you do not qualify for coverage through Jefferson Science Associates or you do not enroll yourself or a dependent, you will have to obtain coverage or pay the penalty. This penalty is known as the individual mandate penalty. Because our health plan year starts on April 1, this requirement will not apply to you until April 1, 2014. 

For eligible employees, the health plan offered by Jefferson Science Associates qualifies as affordable and meets minimum essential coverage standards set by the Affordable Care Act. Because of this, you and your family won't qualify to receive any credits or subsidies, if you purchase coverage from a Marketplace, regardless of your income or family size. If you are a causal or student employee and do not have access to other coverage, you may still qualify for reduced premiums through a Marketplace plan. You can visit www.healthcare.gov to determine if you and/or your family qualify for subsidies under the Health Insurance Marketplace in your state. 


What do I do next? 
Review the information provided in the notice. You can learn more about the Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov . The open enrollment period for Jefferson Science Associates will continue with the same annual cycle and be available mid-February 2014. You will receive more information on your employer-based options at that time. If you have an immediate question you can contact Treva Ferguson at ext. 7291. 


Regards, 
Rhonda 
Human Resources 
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