A Medicaid option may be a good choice for some of your employees. The ACA’s employer mandate has most employers looking for solutions to deal with compliance. When you offer employer-sponsored coverage, your contribute can exceed $5000 per worker per year. That’s a lot from your bottom line.
You may find that some of your employees may be eligible for Medicaid. Based on their income, they can utilize Medicaid to fulfill the ACA’s mandate. This is a better option for the employee than opting out of insurance altogether, and it would be one less person for you to sponsor.
The Medicaid option doesn’t just assist you financially. Helping your employees navigate this system also will help their stress levels and morale, which will then allow them to be more focused and active at work.
Restaurant Hospitality expands on three ways you can help employees explore the Medicaid option:
- Learn what benefits are available: Educate yourself on Medicaid coverage in New Mexico. Coverage can vary based on income, family size, or immigration status. Those that are eligible may also find they qualify for other programs like assistance with food, energy costs, or day care.
- Clear up the confusion: Many employees shy away from the Medicaid option because of the stigma attached. Emphasize that a lot of hard working people utilize this benefit. You may even want to refer to it as “low cost healthcare” or “coverage for working families” to steer them away from the stigma that Medicaid is “charity”.
- Make enrollment easy: Use the resources of a third-party agency to help your employees check thier eligibility and enroll if applicable. Use their expertise so that your employees can have an impartial party look to see if the Medicaid option is a good one for them.
This healthcare crunch is hard. Ultimately, you and your employees are all in this together, and providing them with access to as many options as possible can really help both parties. For more from Restaurant Hospitality and healthcare expert Benjamin Geyerhahn, click here.
