Benefits brokers who want to address the needs of small-business owners have a new option, courtesy of the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act.

That law, which enjoyed vast bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, was a rider to the 21st Century Cures Act, passed in the waning hours of the 114th Congress in December.

The bill allows employers under the 50-life threshold of the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate to offer standalone health reimbursement accounts.

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Nick Thornton

Nick Thornton is a financial writer covering retirement and health care issues for BenefitsPRO and ALM Media. He greatly enjoys learning from the vast minds in the legal, academic, advisory and money management communities when covering the retirement space. He's also written on international marketing trends, financial institution risk management, defense and energy issues, the restaurant industry in New York City, surfing, cigars, rum, travel, and fishing. When not writing, he's pushing into some land or water.