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Health Exchange Opens Again, This Time For Small Businesses Too

Courtesy of Washington Healthplanfinder
Last year during open enrollment, the state's health exchange emphasized reaching young people with booths at the University of Washington. This year, for the first time, small businesses have the opportunity to buy through the exchange.

Open enrollment for health insurance started last Saturday. It’s the time for people to buy a health plan, or to renew what they already have. And for the first time this year, the state’s health exchange is offering health plans for small businesses. 

Businesses that employ 50 people or fewer can now choose from 23 health plans being offered through the state’s health exchange website. Of course, business owners can also buy coverage through a broker or through their industry association.

But exchange spokesperson Michael Marchand said one advantage of going through the exchange is the tax credits. “The tax credit is something that’s only available through the exchange,” he said, “so that’s a great benefit to small businesses.”

One business that looked into the exchange is Seattle-based Innate Health Service based in Seattle. Chief operating officer Thomas Mercer said he was hoping to buy coverage for his staff, which includes two in Seattle and one in Santa Monica, California. “We were excited that now, finally we would be able to buy the insurance and give it to our employees,” he said. 

But when Mercer contacted the exchange he found out his business doesn’t qualify. “We’re too small. One of my employees is under 26 and has health insurance through her parent,” he said, “so without 100 percent participation, there’s no policy that will cover us.” 

Mercer asked why the restriction was there. “The insurance companies are trying to protect themselves from having only the most sick employees sign up for insurance. They want to make sure they’re getting the healthy, along with the sick,” he said he was told. “And when you have a tiny company, they really need everybody.”

Mercer said he understands the rationale, but that doesn’t help him. So he’ll do what he did last year — give his employees a stipend that they can use when they buy an individual health plan. 

Year started with KUOW: 1994