Ohio among 5 states to get early access to federal SHOP exchange

Small employers in Ohio, as well as those in Delaware, Illinois, Missouri and New Jersey, will be the first  permitted to create a business account on Healthcare.gov, select an agent or broker, check their eligibility for plans and upload their employee information, under plans announced yesterday by the Department of Health and Human Services (Source: “Small businesses in these five states to get early access to new Healthcare.gov portal,” Washington Post, Sept. 3, 2014).

Small businesses will be able to set up accounts beginning in mid-October.  Starting in November, plan details and prices will become available on the federally facilitated small-business portal, abbreviated FF-SHOP, giving firms in those states a head start on enrollment for 2015 insurance plans.

The remaining states that elected not to build and run their own health insurance exchanges, thus defaulting to the federal site, will get access to the revamped small business marketplace on Nov. 15. Because of a series of delays, this will be the first time employers in most states can sign up and pay for plans through Healthcare.gov.

The move is part of an effort by the Department of Health and Human Services to gradually introduce new features, allowing the agency to solicit feedback and avoid major setbacks.