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Healthcare reform hit a bit of speed bump a few weeks ago when enforcement of the employer mandate requirement was delayed for a year under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Businesses with 50 employees now have until 2015 to provide insurance coverage for workers instead of 2014.
In our view, this delay in the business sector signals one of many important marketing implications for healthcare communicators and providers about the near-term rollout of Obamacare. It's going to be a challenging "sell" to the uninsured.
“Employees who now have to wait another year to get health coverage through their employer will have little recourse but to buy their own insurance at the newly created state exchanges,” as the New York Times observes. “Still in effect is the requirement that people without insurance buy it by 2014 or face fines.”
So, beginning now, a major marketing battle is unfolding to win the hearts and minds of individuals without coverage. On the immediate horizon is the October 1, 2013 opening enrollment gate. And the initial marketing, advertising and public relations media blitz between now and year-end will be significant.
Here are a few of the key issues and challenges ahead:
The marketing efforts in the next few months will likely be intense, especially in Florida, California and Texas where many of the 18-to-35 year olds reside…and were support for insurance exchanges vary. For more on this topic, click through to our recent post and podcast, Futurist Views: 2014 is the Tipping Point for Healthcare Reform.
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