Are employers required to provide health benefits to their employees?

In New York, employers are not required to provide health benefits to their employees. However, employers with more than five or more employees are required to provide certain disability benefits to their employees through New York State disability benefit programs. These benefits include short-term and long-term disability benefits, as well as health insurance coverage if the employee is injured while on the job. In addition, employers are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance to all employees, which covers medical bills and lost wages if an employee suffers an injury or illness as a result of their job. Employers in New York are not obligated to provide health benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance to their employees. However, some employers may choose to do so in order to attract and retain qualified employees. New York also has the New York State Health Exchange, which is a marketplace for individuals and businesses to purchase health insurance. This health insurance can be used to supplement existing employer-provided health benefits, or to cover the uninsured. Overall, employers in New York are not required to provide health benefits to their employees, but employers may choose to do so in order to attract and keep qualified employees. Employers are, however, required to provide certain disability benefits, workers’ compensation insurance, and access to the New York State Health Exchange.

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