Why small business is seeing negative impacts of Afforable Care Act

David Robinson

Reporter- Albany Business Review

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Small businesses are facing some of the most negative effects of the Affordable Care Act.

Owners and managers say recent increases in their company's health insurance bills are nearly unaffordable. Many employers already have switched to high-deductible plans, and required staff to pay more money toward their coverage plans.

That harmful impact on small business is a seldom-discussed subplot of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA.

Still, the issue is drawing some attention heading into the second year for the ACA government-run health insurance marketplaces, called exchanges. Open enrollment begins Nov. 15.

The New York State of Health exchange recently released details about buying coverage for 2015. Online videos posted on the website are an example of the differences between the marketplaces for individuals and businesses.

During a two-minute video for individuals, a narrator says people will get a notice in the mail outlining the steps for enrollment. As a montage of colorful images representing instructions passes across the screen, they are told about automatic renewal and other features, all to an upbeat soundtrack. The video closes with a pledge to help them "get ready for a healthy 2015."

As for employers, there are two webinars that last about 14 minutes. A voice methodically guides them through the steps of signing up an account for the marketplace, with spreadsheets and occasional typing as the imagery and sound.

After ACA exchanges performed poorly among businesses in 2014, the inaugural year, state and federal regulators have said they plan to focus on getting more employers to participate in the coming year.

Robinson covers breaking news and health care.