Tax Credits:

• From 2010-2013, businesses with fewer than 25 employees with average annual wages of $50,000 or less are eligible for tax credits of up to 35 percent of the employer's health insurance premium
• Beginning in 2014, eligible employers can get a tax credit of up to 50 percent for two years for insurance purchased through health insurance exchanges

Health Insurance Changes

• State-based exchanges will start in 2014, with web portals that will allow individuals and small businesses to comparison shop for insurance
• All insurers in exchange must provide a core set of benefits
• Insurers in exchange can't deny coverage on pre-existing conditions, selectively refuse to renew coverage or charge different premiums based on gender, occupation, or pre-existing conditions

Shared Responsibility

• All individuals will be required to obtain insurance, except for those who obtain hardship waivers
• Employers with more than 50 employees that do not offer health insurance will pay $2,000 per full-time worker (not including the first 30 workers) if any of their employees purchases government subsidized insurance through an exchange
• Employers with more than 50 workers that offer unaffordable coverage or coverage that does not cover at least 60 percent of allowable costs will pay $3,000 for any employee that receives a tax credit in the exchange

New Taxes

• A 40 percent excise tax will be imposed in 2018 on employer-sponsored health premiums that are above $10,200 for single coverage and $27,500 for family coverage
• In 2013, the Medicare payroll tax will be increased by 0.9 percentage points for individuals earning more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly). Tax also will be applied to net investment income
• Annual flat fees will be imposed on pharmaceutical companies in 2011, medical device manufacturers in 2013, and health insurers in 2014