In 2014 the Affordable Care Act will cause corporations to bear the burden of new fees for covering spouses. More and more in our corporate climate, companies are questioning whether they should have to cover spouses/ families or not. Some companies have made a flat rule of simply charging 100$ monthly or 1200$ annually for the spouse. Other companies have made these fees so high that the spouse must find coverage elsewhere. In some situations, a partner is required to pay more for coverage or is simply denied altogether. "Couples then have to decide whether to stick together, even if it means losing benefits, or to split up so that at least one spouse maintains coverage." Companies will feel less obligated to cover families in 2014 when the government healthcare exchanges begin. There are several interesting issues raised with a transition like this, and for now, unfortunately it seems to be driving some families apart.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-your-boss-is-dumping-your-wife-2013-02-22?link=MW_story_popular
3 comments:
This sounds like a very complicated issue. Adding to the complication is the looming sequestration as I am sure that will have implications on the types of benefit programs corporations are willing to extend to their employees.
I have seen some interesting ideas being brought up as to how to cover the ever rising health care cost and laws being put in place. I hope that family oriented companies keep to their values and will continue to provide coverage for the whole family but I understand some companies willingness to forgo coverage for the spouse as well.
I agree with Jacob in the sense that companies should continue the moral and responsible act of providing health care for spouses of employees. But on the other hand this might discourage workers from working for employers that don't cover spousal healthcare.
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