Small business employees in Alabama may have to wait until 2015 before they have the option of choosing from multiple plans that will become available on the health insurance exchange next year.
Monday marked the end of the public comment period for a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposal that could keep small business employees from directly shopping in the market next year, according to information provided by the federal agency.
The proposal gives states with their own exchange the authority to decide whether small businesses can choose one plan for employees, said HHS spokesman Fabien Levy. Employers in states without an exchange – Alabama included – would be required to choose one plan for employees until 2015, he said.
