First off, I realize that anecdote ≠ evidence, but this seems like a really simple, effective and meaningful way to describe the impact of full ACA-compliance on small group plans:
Both Employers A and B are insured with the same carrier, are about the same size and with similar plan designs, and boast a January 1 renewal date. Employer A’s plan is Grandmothered (doesn’t fully comply with all ObamaCare requirements), Employer B’s is not.
Yesterday, I received both renewals.
Company A’s premium actually decreased (by pennies, but still…). I haven’t seen that for many, many years.
Company B’s premium increased by about 17%. Now, I’ve seen worse, but it’s not as if they can now just go out and raise their service rates by almost 20% to cover that difference. And that 17% is, basically, the cost of ACA compliance.
The more you know…