"The 2026 indexed affordability standard ... will see an increase to 9.96% of an employee's household income.... Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) could potentially increase employee premiums in 2026.... For 2026, an ALE that does not offer MEC coverage to at least 95% of their full-time employees ... may be assessed a $278.33 per full-time employee per month A penalty ... [S]ome employers run the numbers and decide to 'pay' for intentional noncompliance with the ACA's employer mandate instead of 'play' (i.e., comply with) the requirements.... ALEs that have decided the risk of the 'pay' approach is worthwhile may want to reconfirm that's still the approach they want to take."  MORE >>