Affordable Care Act Employer Mandate Delayed

Due to the complexity of the reporting requirements of the Affordable Care Act, the Obama Administration has delayed the implementation of the employer mandate until January 1, 2015. The mandate, which was set to take effect January 1, 2014, would require most businesses with fifty or more full time employees to provide minimum health insurance coverage or be subject to a penalty. While the Obama Administration works on creating a more simplified method for employer reporting, they are encouraging businesses to take this additional time to maintain or expand their coverage to make it more accessible and affordable for their employees in preparation for 2015. It is important to note that this delay does not affect the individual mandate that requires most individuals to purchase insurance beginning in 2014 or the establishment of the health insurance marketplace.