The Small Business Health Insurance Options Program (SHOP), which got off to a troubled start in 2014 on HealthCare.gov, breathes its last today, as the function shifts to brokers who will sell small business policies henceforth under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare).
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which administers the ACA:
This change follows from the new opportunity for small businesses to enroll directly in SHOP coverage through a qualified agent, broker, or issuer. Regulations finalized last year moved the Federal Exchange platform to an issuer-based enrollment approach to allow businesses to more easily enroll in SHOP coverage.
- For SHOP coverage that started in 2017, you will not be able to access the enrollment and payment portal by logging in at HealthCare.gov after February 10. For help with 2017 coverage after February 10, contact the issuer, or your agent or broker.
- If you have SHOP coverage for 2018 and beyond, you’ll continue working directly with your insurance company or SHOP-registered agent or broker to apply, enroll, make any coverage updates or pay your premiums.