JONESBORO, Ark. -- Area small business owners and employees can learn about new health insurance options and requirements for small businesses at "Informed Businesses: Navigating the Affordable Care Act" seminar, Friday, March 7, at the Baxter County Library in Mountain Home, 424 West 7th Street. The seminar is scheduled for 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The training is presented by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at Arkansas State University in partnership with the Arkansas Insurance Department. There is no charge to attend.
"We want to help Arkansas small business owners understand the law and make informed choices about health insurance coverage for themselves and their employees," said Janet Roderick, ASBTDC state director.
The session will discuss key provisions of the federal health care law -- the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 -- and the new Health Insurance Marketplace, which opened Oct. 1.
The training will highlight
* The Arkansas Health Connector website
* SHOP, the Small Business Health Options Program
* Compliance and notification requirements that began Oct. 1 for employers
* New tax reporting requirements for employers
* Available tax credits, potential rebates and premium reduction programs
* Potential financial penalties for non-compliance
Pre-registration is required. To register, call (870) 972-3517 or visit asbtdc.org/aca.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance. Contact Abbi Siler, ASU SBTDC training specialist and business consultant at P.O. Box 2650, State University, AR 72467 or call (870) 972-3517.