Milwaukee BBB advises small businesses on Affordable Care Act

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Affordable Care Act is designed to give uninsured Americans, or those paying too much for insurance, an alternative -- and it's causing some small business owners a bit of confusion.

"I'm very interested in seeing what the impact that it's going to have on my employees," said Dianne Wonder, owner of a small janitorial services company. "I'd like to see some of the shake out and see what the real numbers are."

Currently, Wonder doesn't offer her employees health insurance and is deciding whether it's best to go with government health care or a private option. Starting January 1st, businesses could face penalties if they don't offer insurance.

The Milwaukee Better Business Bureau held a seminar for small business owners on Thursday, October 3rd. Experts answered questions regarding the new health care law and the effects it might have.

"There is no black and white simple answer, so it depends," said benefit consultant Joe Rauser. "I'm absolutely confident the exchanges will offer a lot of people a good value, but probably not this first year."

Rauser suggests businesses should wait it out if they are currently able to afford paying for employee health insurance.

"I just don't know how, I really don't know how this is going to shake out from the employer point of view," said Wonder.

The BBB experts also advised small businesses to hire a professional to help sort through the decision as no one option is right for everybody.