Will employers really flock to PPACA exchanges?

Traditional benefits brokers, Web-based brokers and technology companies have been setting up similar, private exchanges aimed at larger employers, and at individuals and small employers that want an alternative to the PPACA exchanges. In California and some other states, exchanges and exchange-like programs have been available for decades.

The analysts found that only 13 percent of the participating employers said they thought they would be getting health benefits for active employees through the PPACA exchanges or private exchanges by 2016, and only 11 percent thought they would be getting health benefits for retirees from the exchanges.

About 57 percent already offer high-deductible health insurance together with health savings accounts (HSAs) or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), and the employers’ suggested that percentage could increase 14 percentage points, to 71 percent, by 2018, the analysts said.

About 38 percent of the employers said they expect to offer a health plan that meets the minimum PPACA requirements, then give active employees an option to “buy up.”  

See also:

• Private exchange firm: PPACA should help us
• Aon Hewitt health exchange attracts big employers
• GAO: Not Clear How PPACA Will Affect Employers