The Affordable Care Act: Information For Franchisees
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is within view.
If you’re a franchisee…a franchise business owner, now’s the time to find out how your business will be affected.
But, where should you begin?
Read on.
THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE
Did you know that SBA.Gov, The US Small Business Administration’s website, has an entire section devoted to healthcare and the Affordable Care Act? Topics that may apply to franchisees include:
- Self-Employed Affordable Care Act provisions
- Employers with less than 25 employees
- Employers with up to 50 employees
- Employers with 50 or more employees
There’s also a glossary of terms, timelines, and as an added bonus, a link to the entire text of the Affordable Care Act-the actual law as it’s currently written.
(Disclosure: I’m the exclusive guest blogger on the topic of franchising for the SBA.Gov Community Blog. I was not asked to write about this topic here. I just feel that it’s important to get the word out on this ground-breaking new law.)
A NEW TOOL FOR FRANCHISEES
If you’re confused about the new health care reform laws, there’s a new tool in town. And, it’s going to help you figure out what you and your employees will need to do. From the SBA website:
“We’re excited to announce a new, streamlined health care tool for businesses –housed at Business.USA.gov — to help you find out exactly what you and your employees need to know about the Affordable Care Act. Business.USA.gov leverages the resources of our partners across the federal government to ensure that business owners get comprehensive information and easy-to-use tools related to range of topics, including health care.” – Karen Mills, SBA Administrator
So, what will this new tool do to help you figure out where your franchise business stands, and what you and your employees need to start doing?
According to information posted on SBA.Gov, this new tool can help you understand what you need to know about new insurance options and other health care changes as well as find health care-related resources that are relevant to your business. Here’s how:
“The tool uses various prompts including your business’s location, size, and whether you currently offer insurance to connect you with the resources you need from Small Business Administration (SBA), the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Treasury and our other federal partners. For example, if you’re a small business owner in Oregon with 35 full-time employees who already offers insurance and wants to continue the coverage you currently use, the health care tool can use this information to connect you with the best resources and information available to help inform your plans.”
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND FRANCHISEES
The ACA has been talked about, debated, and used politically ever since it became law. In 2010.
That’s right; the ACA was signed into law almost three years ago!
From the Department of Health and Human Services website:
“In March 2010, President Obama signed comprehensive health reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), into law. The law makes preventive care—including family planning and related services—more accessible and affordable for many Americans. While some provisions of the law have already taken effect, many more provisions will be implemented in the coming years.”
Franchisees: We’re in “the coming years.” It’s time to get things together-as they relate to the Affordable Care Act, for your franchise business and for your employees.
It’s the law.
Joel Libava, The Franchise King® is the author of Become a Franchise Owner! The Start-Up Guide to Lowering Risk, Making Money, and Owning What You Do. Copyright 2013, author retains ownership. All Rights Reserved.
