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Healthcare

In March of 2010, the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), was signed into law by President Obama. As the ACA is implemented, the restaurant industry will be significantly impacted. From individuals to families, and small business with 50 or fewer employees to large, multi-unit employers with hundreds of employees, the new healthcare benefit landscape will certainly affect you and your employees.

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance marketplaces have been established at both the state and national level to facilitate the purchase of health insurance for individuals, families and businesses. Where you go to sign up for healthcare depends on where you live or operate your business. In the District of Columbia, RAMW is partnering with the DC Health Link to get restaurant employees, owners and operators the information they need to sign up and stay in compliance with the law. Those operators with businesses in Virginia and who are looking to purchase coverage for their employees, will need to visit www.healthcare.gov. In Maryland, operators who are looking to purchase coverage for their employees may visit Maryland's Health Benefit Exchange.

RAMW is working to ensure that restaurant owners and operators, and their employees receive information on healthcare developments in a timely and efficient manner.

How You Can Help Save 3 Lives Today

January 13, 2014
One hour. Sixty minutes. 3,600 seconds. Lunch break. Pilate’s class. An episode of The Bachelor (don’t pretend you don’t watch). In one hour you can get a haircut or pedicure, take a nap, or ride the metro from Franconia-Springfield to Silver Spring. In sixty minutes you can bake a cake, write a letter, or (start to) work on your taxes. Or, in one hour you can save up to three lives. That’s right. For a simple one-hour investment you can make a life-giving difference to those in need. January is National Volunteer Blood Donation Month . Since 1970, at the start of each...

DC Health Link Data Shows Strong Enrollment

January 10, 2014
(Washington, DC) —The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority today released new data showing strong enrollment activity through DCHealthLink.com , the District of Columbia’s new on-line health insurance marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses. Since the exchange opened for business on October 1, DC Health Link has enrolled 20,290 people. This includes District residents who enrolled in private health plans and in Medicaid, as well as people with coverage through their employers. “We are pleased to be providing quality, affordable health coverage options to...Read more

Here's to a Healthy New Year

December 26, 2013
The season of giving is quickly winding down. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Festivus – it’s likely you made your lists, checked them twice, and set out to secure gizmos, gadgets, thing-a-ma-jigs and whatcha-ma-call-its for those you know and love. Gifts are tokens of appreciation designed to convey value and worth, but sometimes they fall a little short of that goal. No doubt you have opened an ugly sweater, tacky tie, box of fruitcake, or other gift that has forced you to smile politely and remind yourself that it’s the thought that counts. While...

DC Residents, Businesses Show Strong Demand for Affordable, Quality Health Insurance

November 14, 2013
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Contact: Richard Sorian: 202-741-0903; richard.sorian@dc.gov Mahlori Isaacs: 202-741-0920; mahlori.isaacs2@dc.gov (Washington, DC) — The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority today released new data showing strong interest by people and businesses in the District of Columbia in affordable quality health insurance. Between October 1 and November 13, DC Health Link had more than 84,272 unique visitors and 19,706 accounts were created to shop, compare, and choose a health insurance plan that meets ones needs and budgets. To date, 696...

Restaurants, Small Businesses, and DC Health Link

October 1, 2013
Small business owners know their ability to offer employees high-quality health insurance is a competitive advantage in the labor market. DC Health Link is an online marketplace for individuals, families, and small business owners in the District of Columbia to help them shop, compare, and select health insurance. DC-based small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees ( FTEs ) are be able to see all health insurance policies and prices and make choices to best meet their needs and budgets. Download the Small Business Guide

Healthcare FAQs for Restaurants #2

May 15, 2013
You ask and we answer. The following questions and answers are a result of responses we received from the earlier round of FAQs. Health Care FAQ's For Restaurants My restaurant has fewer than 50 employees and I offer insurance but only to my senior staff. Since we’re under 50 and exempt from the employer health care mandate, can we continue to offer to only some of our staff? There are five restaurants trading under the same name in our group but each restaurant was set up individually with a different mix of investors, and that have been accounted for and that we have filed taxes...

Healthcare FAQs for Restaurants

April 30, 2013
Below you will find an FAQ session that will help update you on the health care mandate. We would like to continue with frequent updates based on what you need and want to know. So please, send us your questions for the next FAQ session to betsy@ramw.org : Health Care FAQ's For Restaurants Will all restaurants have to offer health benefits to their employees? What are my options for offering health care to my employees? Am I OK with the insurance I have now? I have restaurants in DC, Virginia and Maryland. Is each restaurant considered a separate business? My restaurants are under common...

Health Care Reform Advisory 8.23.11

August 26, 2011
The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide employees with four written notices (if applicable to your plan). Click here to obtain sample notice language as approved by the Department of Labor. Notices must be provided no later than the first day of the plan year and can be included with other enrollment materials, provided the statements are prominent. 1) Lifetime Limits 2) Coverage to Age 26 3) Designation of a Primary Care Provider (if applicable) 4) Grandfathered Plan Status (if applicable) Remember, group health plans are required to provide various...Read more

Health Care Reform Advisory

December 9, 2010
The IRS recently issued a notice, stating that the W-2 reporting requirement is now not applicable until 2012 (i.e. for reporting on forms issued in January 2013 for the 2012 calendar year). So what does this mean for you as an employer? You have another year to prepare. You should start tracking the value of your employees' health benefits (if you don't already). Have a conversation with your payroll company on this topic and include working out a plan that will help you comply with the new guidelines. Finally, a few other 'W-2' heath care reform reminders to keep in mind: The intent of the...Read more

NRA Summary of the Health Care Reform Law

May 13, 2010
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law ( P.L. 111-148 ). This was followed on March 30, 2010, with the signing of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act , to modify the first Act. The result is an extensive and complex health care reform law aimed at expanding access to health care coverage for millions of Americans. The new law imposes many new requirements on individuals and employers. Most of the key provisions take effect starting in 2014, such as the requirement that large employers either provide health care coverage...Read more

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