Skip to Main Content
Home / ACA Small-Business Health Options Program (SHOP) – Waiver Approved on 12/30/2016

ACA Small-Business Health Options Program (SHOP) – Waiver Approved on 12/30/2016

On December 30, 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Treasury announced that it approved the State of Hawaii’s application for a State Innovation Waiver under section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [link]. This approval is effective for January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021. Hawaii will need to apply to extend the waiver beyond December 31, 2021.

The State of Hawaii has been working on the 1332 waiver application since 2014, when the Legislature created the State Innovation Waiver Task Force (Act 159, SLH 2014). Governor Ige submitted the waiver application to HHS in June 2016.

In the application, Hawaii proposed to waive certain ACA provisions related to the ACA Small-Business Health Options Program (SHOP) on the basis of our unique Prepaid Health Care Act (Prepaid). Under this waiver, the ACA SHOP is not be required in Hawaii and the ACA SHOP tax credits are replaced by the State’s Prepaid Health Care Premium Supplementation Program. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Treasury will be providing funding to the State’s Premium Supplementation Fund based on the amount of small business tax credits that would have been provided to small employers under ACA. This will provide financial assistance to eligible small businesses providing health insurance coverage to employees, as intended under ACA SHOP. The Premium Supplementation form is here.

Small businesses that do not have employees on payroll (e.g., Independent Contractors) or have only family member employees may be able to purchase health insurance through the Individual and Family program. For more information, visit healthcare.gov.

Employees with questions about their health insurance coverage should talk with their employers about how their health insurance is being provided (i.e., SHOP or Prepaid Health).

For more information or assistance, please contact us:

  • Phone: (808) 586-8835 (Oahu) | 1-844-308-6307 (toll free) | TDD/TTY: Dial 711, then ask for (808) 586-8866
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Mail: 830 Punchbowl Street, Room 321, Honolulu, Hawaii  96813

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: My business was enrolled in a SHOP QHP in 2016. Can I apply for the tax credit?
A: Businesses enrolled in 2016 SHOP QHPs may apply for the SHOP tax credit for the full enrollment period. For example, if your business enrolled in a 2016 SHOP QHP in March 2016 for a 12 month term (through February 2017), you may claim the tax credit for the full enrollment period, subject to the 2-time maximum and all other requirements.

Q: How does my business apply for Premium Supplementation?
A: The eligibility criteria for Premium Supplementation are different from the ACA SHOP tax credit. Information about Premium Supplementation is available at this link. The form is here.

Q: What carriers offer ACA Compliant Group Plans? 
A: The following carriers offer ACA Compliant Medical Plans: Hawaii Medical Assurance Association (HMAA), Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, and University Health Alliance.
The following carriers offer ACA Compliant Stand-Alone Dental Plans: Best Life and Health Insurance Company, Hawaii Dental Service, and Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA).

Q: Do I still need to issue Form 1095s to employees? 
A: Yes. The waiver only addresses SHOP.

Q: I need information about ACA coverage for Individuals/Families. Who do I contact?
A: All individual and family ACA plans are handled by the ACA Federal Exchange (www.healthcare.gov).

 

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

VISAYAN: CEBUANO

Gakinahanglan ka ba ug tabang sa imong pinulongan? Amo kang mahatagan ug libre nga maghuhubad. Tawag sa (808-586-8842) aron magpahibalo kung unsa ang imong sinulti-han.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

TIẾNG VIỆT: VIETNAMESE

Bạn có cần giúp đỡ bằng ngôn ngữ khác không ? Chúng tôi se yêu cầu một người thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bạn. Gọi (808-586-8842) nói cho chúng tôi biết bạn dùng ngôn ngữ nào.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ภาษาไทย:THAI

คุณต้องการความช่วยเหลือทางด้านภาษาหรือไม่ ทางเราจะจัดหาล่ามฟรีให้คุณ โทรที่เบอร์ (808-586-8842) และบอกเราว่าคุณพูดภาษาอะไร

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

TAGALOG: TAGALOG

Kailangan ba ninyo ng tulong sa ibang lengguwahe? Ikukuha namin kayo ng libreng tagasalin. Tumawag sa (808-586-8842) para sabihin kung anong lengguwahe ang nais ninyong gamitin.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ESPAÑOL: SPANISH

¿Necesita ayuda en otro idioma? Nosotros le ayudaremos a conseguir un intérprete gratuito. Llame al (808-586-8842) y diganos que idioma habla.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

GAGANA SAMOA: SAMOAN

E te mana’o mia se fesosoani i se isi gagana? Matou te fesosoani e ave atu fua se faaliliu upu mo oe. Vili mai i le numera lea (808-586-8842) pea e mana’o mia se fesosoani mo se faaliliu upu.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

KAJIN MAJÔL: MARSHALLESE

Kwoj aikuij ke jiban kin juon bar kajin? Kim naj lewaj juon am dri ukok eo ejjelok wonen. Kirtok (808-586-8842) im kwalok non kim kajin ta eo kwo melele im kenono kake.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

한국어: KOREAN

다른언어로 도움이 필요하십니까? 저희가 무료로 통역을 제공합니다. (808-586-8842) 로 전화해서 사용하는 언어를 알려주십시요

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

日本語 (JAPANESE)

貴方は、他の言語に、助けを必要としていますか ? 私たちは、貴方のために、無料で 通訳を用意で きます。電話番号の、(808-586-8842)に、電話して、私たちに貴方の話されている言語を申し出てください。

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ILOKANO: ILOCANO

Masapulyo kadi ti tulong iti sabali a pagsasao? Ikkandakayo iti libre nga paraipatarus. Awaganyo ti (808-586-8842) tapno ibagayo kadakami no ania ti pagsasao nga ar-aramatenyo.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

中文 – CHINESE MANDARIN

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8842), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務  (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8842), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

中文 – CHINESE CANTONESE

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8842), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務  (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8842), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI: HAWAIIAN

Makemake `oe i kokua i pili kekahi `olelo o na `aina `e? Makemake la maua i ki`i `oe mea unuhi manuahi. E kelepona (808-586-8842)`oe ia la kaua a e ha`ina `oe ia la maua mea `olelo o na `aina `e.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

KAPASEN CHUUK: CHUUKESE

En mi niit alilis lon pwal eu kapas? Sipwe angei emon chon chiaku ngonuk ese kamo. Kokori (808-586-8842) omw kopwe ureni kich meni kapas ka ani.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.