Certified Application Counselor Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive Preparation Guide

Employers may be required to pay a fee if at least one full-time employee enrolls in a Marketplace plan with Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) because this situation indicates that the employer has not provided adequate health coverage. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), large employers—those with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees—are mandated to offer health insurance that meets specific criteria for affordability and minimum value. If a full-time employee receives a premium tax credit to help pay for a Marketplace plan, it suggests the employer's offered coverage does not meet these criteria. Therefore, the employer could face penalties, known as Employer Shared Responsibility Payments.

The other scenarios mentioned do not directly trigger a fee obligation under the ACA. For example, offering a wellness program or having coverage that is deemed affordable (which means it meets the necessary standards set by the ACA) do not incur fees. Also, simply having more than 50 employees doesn't automatically lead to a fee unless the employer fails to meet the requirements for providing affordable health insurance.