If you run a small business, you understand how critical it is to provide high-quality, low-cost dental and health coverage that meets your company’s needs and your employees. The SHOP Marketplace (Small Business Health Options Program) can assist you in this endeavor by providing flexibility, choice, and ease of online application submissions and account management.

Employers with 50 or fewer (FTEs) full-time equivalent employees, including non-profit organizations, can now access the SHOP Marketplace. In 2022, the SHOP Marketplace will be open to larger businesses with 100 or fewer FTEs.

Benefits of SHOP Marketplace coverage

Everything is available online: Browse InsuranceShopping.com to apply for the SHOP coverage, select a plan, finalize your coverage offer, manage worker participation, and pay your insurance premiums. Your employees can also apply online.

Flexible coverage options: You have complete control over the coverage you provide and the amount you pay toward employee premiums. You decide whether or not to give dependent insurance and dental coverage. You select how long your employees’ Open Enrollment Period could be and how long they need to wait before new employees can enroll.

There is assistance available for applying and enrolling: Licensed brokers and agents registered with the SHOP Marketplace can assist you in applying for and enrolling in a health plan. You can also keep working with your current broker or agent as long as they meet the SHOP Marketplace enrollment requirements. Working with a SHOP-registered broker or agent is free of charge for you and your employees. You can search by ZIP code, and name for brokers and agents registered to sell SHOP Marketplace plans when you apply.

Employee choice:  In all regions, you can provide your employees with a single health and dental plan. In some areas, you can select a coverage category, such as Silver or Bronze, and let your workers choose the health plan that best meets their needs within that category.

You may claim a tax credit: The SHOP Tax Credit Estimator will help you determine if your organization qualifies for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, which can be worth up to 50% of your insurance premium expenses. The tax credit is only available for coverages purchased through the SHOP Marketplace.

Find out if you are eligible to offer SHOP Marketplace coverage to your employees and how to enroll.