SHAMOKIN - Mark Bernini, of Apex Insurance Group, Mount Carmel, said the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will affect everyone, and that the government is putting the burden on employers.
During an informal discussion hosted by the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce at St. John's United Church of Christ at 117 N. Eight St. Tuesday morning, Bernini spoke to a small gathering of chamber officials about understanding the ACA for small businesses.
Bernini provided a flow chart from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that assists employers with whether they are required to provide coverage.
Small businesses with less than 50 full-time employees (or equivalent to full-time employees) are not required to offer health coverage to their employees. However, small businesses with more than 50 full-time employees (or the equivalent) must offer coverage to employees and dependants or face annual fines between $2,000 and $3,000.
The out-of-pocket maximum expense per person per year for health care is $6,350 under ACA, he said.
The discussion was meant to be for educational purposes only and was not intended to replace legal advice, Bernini said.
The meeting was open to the public. Bernini provided donuts and coffee.