PACE Act Changes the Definition of Small Group Insurance

President Obama has signed legislation recently passed by Congress which changes how small group health insurance will be defined for rating and underwriting purposes. Previously, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a small group was scheduled to be defined as employers with fewer than 100 employees beginning in 2016. The PACE Act now defines a small employer as one that employed an average of not more than 50 on business days during the preceding calendar year. However, the act also gives states the option to define the small group market differently in each state. Most states are expected to move forward defining small groups as employers with no more than 50 employees, as was common prior to the ACA.

Background

The ACA made significant changes to the benefits, underwriting, and rating rules that apply to the small group health insurance market. Prior to the ACA, small group health insurance was principally regulated by state insurance law. Changes imposed by the ACA included among other things;

• Modified community rating which prohibited group rating based on health history
• No gender based rates
• Limits on age rating
• Requirements for small group health plans to cover essential health benefits

These rules apply to all small group health plans, not just those sold through a state or federal Exchange.

The ACA also expanded the definition of a small employer to employers with less than 100 full-time equivalents (FTEs) beginning on 2016. Prior to this planned expansion, most state insurances defined a small employer as an employer with less than 50 employees. The definition of how employees were counted also varied from state to state.

What Does the PACE Act Do?

The act defines a small employer as one that employed an average not more than 50 employees on business days during the preceding calendar year. States have the option to define the small group market differently. However, most states will likely return to a small group definition of 50 employees, similar to what existed prior to the ACA. However, some states may still expand the size of employers subject to the small group rules up to the 100 employee threshold. There will obviously be a period of uncertainty over the next few months as each state determines their approach going forward.

It is important to note that this change does not affect the ACA rules determining if an employer is considered an applicable large employer (ALE) for purposes of the 4980H employer shared responsibility rules (often called the play or pay rules). An ALE is an employer with 50 or more FTEs, and this ALE definition will not be affected by state small group definition changes.

Summary

Obviously employers with well over 100 employees are not affected by this act, and employers with under 50 employees would generally be considered part of the small group market regardless of these changes. Employer in the range of 50-100 employees will need to consult with their employee benefits advisors and health insurance carriers to determine how this may impact their benefits and rates going forward.

While every effort has been taken in compiling this information to ensure that its contents are totally accurate, neither the publisher nor the author can accept liability for any inaccuracies or changed circumstances of any information herein or for the consequences of any reliance placed upon it. This publication is distributed on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice or services. Readers should always seek professional advice before entering into any commitments.