According to the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), beginning in 2014 all small group and individual health insurance plans must be sold through state exchanges and meet standards established in the new law.

PPACA qualifies state exchange policies as falling into four categories–bronze, silver, gold and platinum. According to actuarial values, a bronze plan (the minimum allowed to be sold in 2014) must cover 60 percent of the insured's medical needs.

According to a Health Affairs report, more than half of Americans today with private health insurance have plans that cover less than the 60-percent benchmark. In contrast, company plans generally cover between 80 and 89 percent of the insured's needs.

Employers, keep your workforces informed of their rights and obligations under PPACA by obtaining and displaying prominently Personnel Concepts' Health Care Reform Employee Information Poster.