Small Business Health Options Programs

Programs mandated by the Affordable Care Act and operated by health insurance marketplaces that facilitate the ability of qualified employers to provide their employees and their dependents with access to qualified health plans (QHPs). States may elect to create an independent governance and administrative structure for the SHOP so long as the SHOP coordinates and shares relevant information with the marketplace operating in the same service area; and in some jurisdictions, the SHOP functions are being handled by separately organized navigator and/or assister programs that specialize in working with small businesses.