As business owners grapple with how the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will affect their employee benefits offerings, there are specific provisions within the law that may have more of an impact on their bottom line than others.
According to HR compliance expert Jay Starkman, there are rules within the ACA that prevent employers from making certain coverages available to specific employees and others to a different subset of workers. In other words, preferential treatment is forbidden, as everyone must get the same set of options, Benefits Pro reports.
Starkman indicated that this could pose a problem for business owners who have been operating under a specific benefits structure and don't know any different.
"It doesn't sound like a big deal, but when you take into account two very common practices that businesses have been following for years that would violate this provision, it really becomes meaningful, especially when you couple that with the penalties that are built into the act," said Starkman.
Business advisors point out that how the ACA will bear itself out is still in flux. Charles Gaudet, a business growth expert, says that entrepreneurs should not let specific provisions within the ACA impact their long-term goals.
"Let's not lose site of one thing: the government can raise our taxes and enforce complicated healthcare reform, but however the rules change – every one of us is playing on the same ball field," said Gaudet. "Those of us who build for tomorrow will create businesses that are stronger, more durable, and more profitable as the years continue."
