News & Resources

Employee Choice in SHOP Exchange Delayed

Last month we learned that a key feature of the Small Business Health Option (SHOP) Exchange – the ability for a small business to offer multiple plan options starting in 2014 - has been delayed. …

April 10, 2013

Employee choice in SHOP Exchange delayed

by Scott Lyon, Senior Vice PresidentLast month SBAM learned that a key feature of the Small Business Health Option (SHOP) Exchange – the ability for a small business to offer multiple plan options starting in …

April 8, 2013

SBAM launches online tool to help small businesses unravel complexities of Affordable Care Act

SBAM today launched Decision Point, an online tool that helps small business owners understand and take action on the various health insurance decisions mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “Decision Point is a dynamic, …

March 27, 2013

Health care reform special transitional relief for 2013 measurement periods – are you prepared?

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner Clark Hill PLCby Kristi R. Gauthier and Stephanie L. Hicks The employer shared responsibility provisions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") take effect on January 1, 2014. …

March 25, 2013

Medicaid expansion is good for Michigan small businesses

by Rob Fowler, President and CEOThe Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) supports the broadening of eligibility criteria to participate in the Medicaid program so that people under 138 percent of the poverty level can …

March 20, 2013

SBAM urges the Michigan legislature to pass the Michigan Medicaid Expansion now

Rob Fowler, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan urges the Michigan legislature to pass the Michigan Medicaid Expansion now.

February 7, 2013

The Small Business Association of Michigan endorses the expansion of Medicaid

SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler appeared with Gov. Snyder at a Lansing press conference Wednesday to announce SBAM’s support for expansion of the Medicaid program so the state can realize the financial savings and …

January 28, 2013

Update: Michigan Insurance Exchange – Employer to employee letter due date has been postponed

By Scott Lyon, SBAM's Senior Vice PresidentThe Department of Labor has concluded that the notice requirement under FLSA section 18B will not take effect on March 1, 2013 for several reasons. First, this notice should …

January 24, 2013

Independent contractor misclassification: A major headache likely to get worse under PPACA

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy Anthony KaylinMisclassification of employees has been a long-term major issue in the workplace. In 2001 Microsoft settled a misclassification suit over “long-term temp/contractors” who should have received Microsoft …

January 21, 2013

Get the scoop on what you need to know right now about health insurance reform. Today on Business Next!

Tune in at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Nationally known employee benefits expert Gary Kushner provides in-depth analysis of what every small business employer needs to know about the Patient …

January 21, 2013

BCBSM/BCN needs employee counts from customers to comply with reform law

The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires that health insurance carriers annually report Medical Loss Ratio (MLR).In order to report the MLR for the 2013 period, BCBSM and BCN must know the average …

January 4, 2013

Employer Mandate / Shared Responsibility – FAQs

On Dec. 28th, the Internal Revenue Service offered two additional pieces of guidance that tie together various prior notices relating to minimum essential coverage, measuring employees and potential liabilities. Proposed Rule for Shared Responsibilities for Employer Regarding …

December 18, 2012

ACA: Control group and the 50 employee count

By Scott Lyon, Senior Vice PresidentIs your company part of a control group? Knowing the answer to this question is important in determining the number of employees for the Affordable Care Act and its impact …

December 18, 2012

ACA: What is the exclusion for seasonal employees?

An employer will not be treated as having 50 full time employees if: The employer's workforce exceeds 50 full-time employees for 120 days or less during the calendar year, andThe employees in excess of 50 …

December 13, 2012

Summary of Benefits and Coverage

According to new regulations of the PPACA, a Summary of Benefits & Coverage must be provided to employers and individuals “when shopping for coverage, enrolling in coverage, at each new plan year, and within seven …

December 11, 2012

Affordable Care Act – 2013 requirements and changes

What you need to know about Flexible Spending Account contribution limits, itemized deductions, the Medicare tax rate increase and newly required Summary of Benefits and Coverage.Flexible Spending Account (FSA) ContributionIn 2013, Section 125 flexible spending …