Covered California Prepares Small Business Enrollment
Small businesses will now be able to self-enroll for insurance as part of Covered California's Small Business Health Options Program that will be included in its online marketplace.
More than 1500 businesses have already applied for coverage to see if they are eligible and more than 7700 certified insurance agents have been hired to help with the process, according to Sam Smith, president of the California Association of Health Underwriters.
More than five million Californians are employed through small businesses. Twenty-five percent of small business owners don't have coverage themselves and more than 86 percent of them don't offer coverage to their employees because of costs.
The announcement came during a press conference early Monday morning. Businesses will be able to enroll for coverage starting as early as January 1st.