{"id":3218,"date":"2015-07-02T06:00:08","date_gmt":"2015-07-02T13:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propelbusinessworks.com\/?p=3218"},"modified":"2015-07-02T12:28:54","modified_gmt":"2015-07-02T19:28:54","slug":"insurance-changing-oregon-businesses-affected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propelbusinessworks.com\/propel-pro-network\/insurance-changing-oregon-businesses-affected\/","title":{"rendered":"How Insurance Is Changing Again & Oregon Businesses Are Being Affected"},"content":{"rendered":"

Health insurance is quite literally on everyone\u2019s minds these days, especially if you\u2019re in the business world. With the mandate to have every American insured for health coverage, businesses who aren\u2019t offering those benefits are suffering the consequences, in more ways than one.<\/p>\n

While companies with less than 100 employees are not currently required to provide healthcare benefits, in 2016 that will change and businesses with 50 employees will be required to provide health insurance options to their employees.<\/p>\n

If that doesn\u2019t jolt you, we have a few things you should consider before dismissing offering health insurance to your crew.<\/p>\n

\"Intro\"Our long-time and high-esteemed colleague, JR Hinds of Hinds and Associates is an insurance veteran. Since 1994 JR has spent his time investing in our Oregon businesses and insurance requirements to help you stay informed and compliant. Now, he is wrangling the ever-changing rules of healthcare for individuals and employers in new ways.<\/p>\n

Here are a few key questions we asked during our recent interview with JR:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Thanks for chatting with me today, JR. First of all, please share with our readers what you do and who you serve.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Since 1999, I<\/em>\u2019<\/em>ve been providing insurance to individuals and businesses with under 50 employees anywhere in Oregon with white-gloved service that larger agencies don<\/em>\u2019<\/em>t offer. My clients have one contact – me.<\/em><\/p>\n

    I do work with another broker to support my individual clients and am now offering more streamlined and valuable services like sending out informational emails for employers to offer to their clients to help them stay current and efficient.<\/em><\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      Over the last few years, with the help of Obama\u2019s Healthcare Act, Oregon businesses have been impacted by new rules and laws. There is a lot that businesses need to know and stay informed on. Can you please give us an update on current\/2015 Oregon state business requirements for insuring employees and what businesses should be expecting or preparing for in the next year or two?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In Oregon, businesses are not required to provide insurance to their employees unless they have 100 full-time employees. In 2016 that number will move down to 50 employees. Past that, we<\/em>\u2019<\/em>re not sure what to expect.<\/em><\/p>\n

      That said, <\/em>one additional rule is that <\/em>ANY business offering benefits must contribute at least 50% of the employee<\/em>\u2019<\/em>s portion of the premiums.<\/em><\/p>\n

      There is also a <\/em>\u201c<\/em>Cadillac Tax<\/em>\u201d<\/em> expected in 2018<\/em>, <\/em>but there<\/em>\u2019<\/em>s tremendous push-back<\/em>, <\/em>so no one is sure<\/em> it<\/em>\u2019<\/em>ll actually happen.<\/em><\/p>\n

      Lastly, small businesses now have to have one non-spousal employee to qualify for a group insurance policy.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        So, with these new changes in health care, many businesses are also needing to change how they operate. What would you say are the top 2-3 challenges Oregon businesses are now facing?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        1st. Attracting quality employees, especially with <\/em>un<\/em><\/strong>employment rates dropping.<\/em><\/p>\n

        2nd. Retaining quality employees because bigger companies are recruiting and enticing applicants with big benefit packages.<\/em><\/p>\n

        3rd. Staying on top of federal and Oregon HR laws.<\/em><\/p>\n

        \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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        1. \n

          Based on those challenges, what are the top 2-3 changes you see businesses making?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n