Notices about the health insurance exchanges have to be given to current workers no later than Oct. 1, 2013. Starting Oct. 1, the notices have to be given to new workers on the day they are hired. At this time, there is no penalty for not providing the notice.

The notices must:

1. tell workers about exchanges, including a description of the services provided and how they can contact exchanges;

2. let workers know they may be eligible for a premium tax credit if the employer plan’s does not cover at least 60% of the total allowed cost of benefits, and the worker buys a qualified health plan through an exchange;

3. explain that if the worker buys a qualified health plan through an exchange, he or she may lose the employer contribution (if any) to any health benefit plan the employer offers, and that all or part of the contribution may be excluded from income for federal tax purposes. 

Here is the model notice employers can use. See this fact sheet for more information.

Source: Anthem Blue Cross