MBPA Members Get Three New Health Care Reform Decision Tools

WARREN, Mich., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ready to assist with the next steps in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) just created three new decision making tools to aid its members:

• The MBPA Employee Calculator designed to help members determine whether or not they qualify as small or large employers under the federal Act.
• The MBPA Checklist created to inform Michigan businesses and assist independent agents with current information about ACA implications based on business size.
• The MBPA Options sheet that outlines the available choices along with potential benefits and challenges to help businesses benchmark their needs before making important decisions related to the new health care reform mandates. 

"Because the ACA draws a line in the sand between employers with more or less than 50 employees, determining the correct number of full time equivalent employees (FTEs) is critical for the businesses that we serve," said MBPA President Jennifer Kluge. "What is even more critical is the fact that the method for determining health insurance tax credibility is different than the method used for determining applicable penalties and purchasing options, which is why we created the additional tools to help employers make decisions based on the most current information," she continued. 

Kluge explained that members will be able to enter the number of full-time employees (those who work 130 - 160 hours per month) plus the total number of paid part-time employee hours over a six-month or full-year timeframe and determine whether or not they are subject to the provisions and/or penalties of the ACA. Businesses with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees are not required to offer employee health care coverage, but they may qualify for tax incentives and could be subject to new insurance reforms applicable to the small group market if they do offer insurance. The additional considerations involved led to the creation of the Checklist and Options information sheets.

"These are the newest tools that have been added to the more than 50 tools and resources available on the online Health Care Reform Connect™ that we established last year as a one-stop resource for information about ACA implementation," Kluge stated.  "In addition to the online guidance, we also issue a special monthly newsletter with the latest information and links to additional resources. The standard Health Care Reform Connect™ tools are augmented by MBPA experts who provide custom answers to specific compliance questions through the member email hotline," she concluded.

The Michigan Business and Professional Association boasts a statewide sphere of influence that no other organization of its kind can claim, leveraging a depth of programs and community initiatives that positively impact more than 150,000 businesses. Learn more at www.michbusiness.org.

For Further Information:

Jennifer Kluge
586-393-8800 Office
586-202-1441 Cell

Or

Sue Voyles
734-667-2005 Office
734-635-3831 Cell

SOURCE Michigan Business and Professional Association