I spent 2 hours on the phone with my company's insurance broker on Friday. She said to really make sure the govt doesn't look closely at you, bring that count down to 48, and do it soon. If you suddenly drop to 49 right before the new "accounting for employers" starts (which is March of this year, I think), they will be looking at you.
Also some interesting information, if you are under the 50 thresh hold, you do not have to offer insurance at all, but all of your employees will be required to have it in one form or another for year 2013, because when you file taxes in 2014 is when the tax/penalty will kick in if you (the individual) doesn't have insurance for the prior year.
Also, the "shall issue" policy doesn't kick in until Jan 2014.
It was quite the conversation, and a huge learning experience, that's for sure.
Interesting. I’m sure many of us would like to hear more from that conversation, but I understand your time is limited.
I was thinking of anouther angle. (Hypotheticly) I own a large bowling alley called Steve’s bowling. I have 65 employees and the place won’t run right with 49. What keeps me from shutting down the concession stand and firing 16 people. Then my brothers company “Daves Catering” hires the 16 people I fired and I rents out space in the bowling alley to sell concessions. Outside of changing stationary, nothing changes and I am out from under Ocare.