The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Updated on December 15th, 2023

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as health care reform, was signed into law in March 2010. 

The law is complex and impacts both employers and individuals. This page provides an overview of how Carle is meeting the requirements and how this new legislation impacts you as an individual.

The existing benefits at Carle Health meet the ACA's requirement for affordable employee coverage and  benefit value, and fulfill the requirement that individuals are offered coverage

What is the employee's responsibility?

The ACA requires most Americans to have medical insurance or they will be charged a penalty. Insurance coverage includes insurance through an employer-sponsored plan (such as Carle’s plan offered to benefits-eligible employees), Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. 

Individuals who do not have other coverage can purchase health insurance from the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the exchange, and possibly qualify for a subsidy. For more information on the options available to you, please visit www.healthcare.gov

What is Carle's responsibility? 

The ACA requires that all large employers (50 or more employees) like Carle offer health insurance benefits to all employees who average 30 or more hours per week. Carle is meeting this requirement as we offer coverage to employees working at least 20 hours per week. 

To comply with the regulations, quarterly reports are generated to monitor the average number of hours worked by those non-benefits eligible team members. It is important for leaders to ensure their team members are placed in the correct status.  

Learn more about ACA

www.healthcare.gov Official website of the Health Insurance Marketplace
US Department of Health & Human Services Information about health care options available and the full text of the law
Internal Revenue Service FAQ Information on the individual's responsibility to have minimum essential health coverage