Businesses with more than 50 full-time employees that don't offer insurance may be subject to what payment?

The correct answer is the employer shared responsibility payment. This payment is a provision under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that applies to large employers, specifically those with 50 or more full-time employees. If such a business does not provide health insurance that meets certain minimum standards, and at least one of its employees qualifies for premium tax credits to purchase insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, the employer may be assessed this payment.

The employer shared responsibility payment serves as a financial incentive for large employers to provide health insurance to their employees, encouraging them to offer adequate healthcare coverage rather than risk penalties. This mechanism helps expand access to healthcare by shifting some of the responsibility onto larger businesses, which generally have greater resources compared to smaller enterprises.

Other choices, such as penalty fee, could be seen as synonymous with an employer shared responsibility payment, but they are not the specific term used in the context of the ACA. Tax credit refers to a financial benefit provided to certain employers who do offer coverage, which is unrelated to the penalty for not providing insurance. An insurance premium increase pertains to the cost of insurance rates rather than penalties related to employer-sponsored health coverage. Understanding these terms is essential for navigating the responsibilities businesses have under healthcare laws and regulations.