SBA’s Goodall coming to R.I. to talk SHOP health insurance options with small businesses

SETH GOODALL, regional administrator for the Small Business Administration, will discuss 2016 changes in the Affordable Care Act for small businesses on Dec. 7 in Cranston.  / COURTESY SETH GOODALL
SETH GOODALL, regional administrator for the Small Business Administration, will discuss 2016 changes in the Affordable Care Act for small businesses on Dec. 7 in Cranston. / COURTESY SETH GOODALL

CRANSTON – Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Seth Goodall will update small business owners on 2016 changes coming to the Affordable Care Act on Dec. 7 at One Rhodes Place.
Goodall specifically will discuss changes coming to the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), such as the size of businesses eligible to enroll, changes for self-employed groups and how full- and part-time employees are counted for eligibility purposes.

The event is co-hosted by HealthSource RI for Employers and the Small Business Administration Rhode Island District Office. It will begin at 11 a.m., with a networking session to follow at noon.

“The Affordable Care Act provides a great opportunity for small businesses to access health care for their employees,” Goodall said in a statement. “This event will provide information on how the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) can provide choices for small employers which will help allow for greater employee retention.”

HealthSource RI for Employers features “Full Employee Choice,” which it said provides a key advantage over small business coverage offered outside of the health insurance exchange. The program has helped Rhode Island become one of the leading state-based exchanges in the country, HealthSource said.

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“HealthSource RI for Employers offers a ‘Full Employee Choice’ program that gives employers maximum flexibility in customizing health plan options for their employees,” R.I. Department of Administration Director Michael DiBiase said. “It is an attractive benefit for employers in which they can offer a wide variety of plans instead of the common ‘one plan fits all’ approach. Employers decide what they can afford, and employees can choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget.”

Small businesses and their employees enrolled with HealthSource RI for Employers have access to 24 health plans and seven dental plans offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Dental, Delta Dental, Guardian and Dentegra.

Employers may sign up for coverage through HealthSource RI for Employers year-round in advance of their annual renewal date.

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