Changes

*In a recent national survey by Bank of America, 72 percent of small-business owners said they are concerned about health-care costs. [http://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/sites/bankofamerica.newshq.businesswire.com/files/press_kit/additional/Fall_2014_Bank_of_America_Small_Business_Owner_Report.pdf(Bank of America Report)] *Some experts say that looking to lower health-care costs significantly isn't realistic for many firms and that slowing increases is more realistic. [http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/08/5-smart-ways-small-firms-can-slash-health-care-costs.html (CNBC)]**"Reducing your cost over time from one year to the next is probably an unrealistic standard. A company that is keeping its benefits costs in line with its compensation costs is probably doing exactly right." -Alan Cohen, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Liazon==Strategies small businesses use to save on healthcare=====Negotiate private plans===*Some private insurance premiums are negotiable, especially in the 50-99 employee space. [http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/08/5-smart-ways-small-firms-can-slash-health-care-costs.html (CNBC)]===SHOP===*As of Nov. 15, small businesses with 50 or fewer "full-time equivalent employees" under the Affordable Care Act's formula can now turn to the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) exchange. [http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/08/5-smart-ways-small-firms-can-slash-health-care-costs.html (CNBC)]**SHOP is "essentially a federal or state-run supermarket—or marketplace—where businesses can shop for small-business plans" according to Sally Poblete. [http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/08/5-smart-ways-small-firms-can-slash-health-care-costs.html (CNBC)]**With SHOP, small businesses can define the amount of money they wants to contribute to premiums and allow employees to select from the health and dental plans, depending on employees' needs. [http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/08/5-smart-ways-small-firms-can-slash-health-care-costs.html (CNBC)]**Some businesses qualify for tax credits when they purchase insurance through SHOP. [http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/08/5-smart-ways-small-firms-can-slash-health-care-costs.html (CNBC)]**Coverage for an individual plan sold through the exchanges can be customized to the individual - they will not necessarily get inferior coverage. [http://www.cnbc.com/2015/01/08/5-smart-ways-small-firms-can-slash-health-care-costs.html (CNBC)]===Convert from group to individual plans===