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Federal Health Insurance Exchange for Small Businesses Launches in Missouri

By Dennis Boone

ACA SigThe Department of Health and Human Services launched a series of on-line insurance exchanges Monday in five states, including Missouri. Known as SHOP exchanges, the Small Business Health Options Program is being put in place after a one-year delay as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implementation.

Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey and Ohio also saw launches for those sites, which are aimed at helping small businesses provide health coverage to employees. Those organizations with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees are eligible. The sites will link businesses with agents and brokers to provide for on-line registration when the enrollment period begins Nov. 15.

HHS announced the rollout to give eligible businesses, insurance companies and brokers and the department’s assistance workers a chance to test the new on-line features prior to enrollment.

Among the features offered on the exchange, the department said, are functions that allow businesses to establish a SHOP account, assign an agent/broker to their account, complete an employer eligibility application, obtain an eligibility determination, and upload an employee roster. The selection of health and dental plans and pricing will not be available until Nov. 15.