Get ready to enroll in SHOP coverage

Published on October 2, 2014

The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) offers a simpler way to find and buy health coverage that meets the needs of your employees—and your business.

To enroll in SHOP coverage, you must have 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and meet certain other requirements.

Starting November 15, for the first time you’ll be able to enroll through the SHOP Marketplace entirely online. You can complete an application, choose coverage, and enroll yourself or you can work with an agent or broker.

Here are some things you can do now to get ready to enroll in the SHOP Marketplace:

• Learn more about SHOP coverage and talk to your employees to find out their coverage needs.
• Use the SHOP Full-time Equivalent Employee Calculator to see if you qualify based on your employee count.
• Use the SHOP Tax Credit Estimator Tool to find out if you may be eligible for a tax credit and how much the credit could be worth to you.
• See 2014 plans and premium estimates now.