Note: An addendum has been inserted at the end of this article to reflect changes to the ACA employer mandate.
As of January 1, 2015, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA–otherwise known as Obamacare) begins to impose certain health coverage requirements on employers who have at least 50 employees. Even though its implications are almost one year away, it is not too soon for employers to prepare for the Employer Mandate. Employers would be wise to figure out if the mandate applies to them, understand the potential penalties that can be imposed on them and, taking into account all of the various considerations, decide if they want to pay or play.
