Georgia Access provides the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) for small businesses with up to 50 employees. SHOP plans are small group plans certified by Georgia Access. Small businesses may apply for and enroll in Georgia Access SHOP coverage for Plan Year 2026 at any time beginning November 1, 2025.
If you provide SHOP plans to your employees, you may be eligible for the federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit for up to two consecutive years. Work with a certified agent or directly with an insurance company to enroll in SHOP coverage.
Employer eligibility for SHOP
To be eligible to offer SHOP plans, your business or organization must have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) and:
- Have up to 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. (Georgia Access defers to the HealthCare.gov FTE Employee Calculator for determining number of FTEs.)
- Offer coverage to all FTE employees.
- Enroll at least 70% of eligible FTE employees who are offered insurance and are not otherwise covered.
- Have an office and/or employee worksite in Georgia.
Employer eligibility for the Federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to small businesses with less than 25 FTEs that meet certain requirements. Visit the IRS website or contact a tax professional to learn more.
If you want to claim the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, you must complete and submit the Georgia Access SHOP Application to receive an eligibility determination from Georgia Access to file with the IRS.
Georgia Access SHOP eligibility application
You are only required to submit the Georgia Access SHOP Eligibility Application if you want to claim the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. If you are not planning to claim this tax credit, or if you have already claimed it for the maximum time period of two years, you can enroll directly into SHOP plans with an agent or insurance company with an eligibility determination from Georgia Access.
Before submitting an application, use the SHOP Eligibility Screening Tool below to determine if your business may be eligible for SHOP coverage.
Enroll in a SHOP plan
Small business owners should work directly with a certified agent or insurance company to compare coverage options and enroll in a SHOP plan. For Plan Year 2025 and Plan Year 2026, Kaiser Permanente is the only insurance company that offers SHOP plans in Georgia, although other insurance companies offer off-Exchange small group plans.
View the PY2025 Georgia Access SHOP Premium Calculator or the PY2026 Georgia Access SHOP Premium Calculator and reach out to a certified agent or Kaiser Permanente to learn more about available plans and pricing.
Report a change or renew SHOP coverage
You can work directly with your certified agent or insurance company to report a change or renew SHOP coverage. If you want to claim a second year of the Small Business Tax Credit, you must submit another application to Georgia Access to receive a SHOP eligibility determination.
Georgia Access SHOP eligibility appeals
If you believe the eligibility determination made by Georgia Access is incorrect or you did not receive a timely determination, you have the right to file an appeal by completing and submitting the Georgia Access SHOP Appeal Request Form.