Affordable Care Act Considerations for Retail Companies

The Affordable Care Act presented unique challenges for retail companies due to their typical employee demographics, which included significant numbers of low-wage workers, high turnover rates, variable work schedules, and, in some instances, unionized labor.

On June 27, 2013, Morgan Lewis presented a one-hour webinar and examined how retail companies may comply with the Affordable Care Act in a manner that makes the most sense for them and their employees.

Topics included:

• The Employer Shared Responsibility Penalty
  • Triggering the penalty: When is coverage affordable and of minimum value?
  • Penalty amounts
  • Measuring the full-time status of employees
  • Application to part-time employees
• 90-day waiting period rule
• Insurance exchange coverage: Is it a viable alternative?
  • Coverage available on the insurance exchanges
  • Eligibility for premium subsidies
• Strategic considerations for collective bargaining