What change is happening to the eligibility criteria for Qualified Health Plans in 2016?

The change in eligibility criteria for Qualified Health Plans in 2016 allows for an increase in the number of eligible employees to 100. This adjustment was part of the ACA's efforts to expand access to health coverage. Previously, businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees could qualify for health plans through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). By raising the threshold to 100 employees, it aimed to ensure that more medium-sized businesses could provide health insurance options to a larger workforce, thus enhancing overall coverage rates and promoting health security within the employed population.

The adjustment reflects a broader goal of the ACA to improve the health insurance landscape by accommodating a greater number of workers and their families. Failing to comply with this adjustment would mean that many businesses might miss out on healthcare options suited to their employee size, thereby not fully participating in the reforms intended by the ACA.