Are employers required to provide employee health benefits?

In Massachusetts, employers are not legally required to provide health benefits to their employees; however, it is becoming increasingly common for employers to do so. Many employers offer health insurance benefits as an incentive to attract and retain quality employees, as it is a valuable benefit to many. The Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law (MHCRL) requires all Massachusetts residents to have health insurance, but the responsibility for obtaining and paying for the insurance falls to the individual or family, not the employer. The employer is not obligated to provide health care insurance to employees, however; they can choose to offer health benefits through a group plan. If an employer does choose to offer health benefits, they must comply with certain regulations. This includes having the employee contribute their part of the premium cost, providing coverage for employees who work a minimum number of hours per week, and complying with state and federal laws. Massachusetts employers have the freedom to decide whether or not to provide health benefits to their employees. While providing these benefits is not mandatory, it is usually beneficial not only to the employees, but to the employer as well, as having good healthcare benefits often helps to attract and retain quality employees.

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Are employers required to provide employee health benefits?

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