…until Obamacare begins.  On October 1, 2013, the individual health insurance exchange markets are scheduled to open for enrollment.

Today’s Politico discusses federally qualified  “skinny health plans” – employer-sponsored health coverage that appeals to employees who do not seek extensive coverage.  Skinny plans typically cost employees $50 per month and cover preventative services along with a limited number of doctor office visits.

The health law spells out in detail the comprehensive coverage that insurers have to provide on the new insurance marketplaces or exchanges. But it’s nearly silent about what the employers who provide insurance to a majority of Americans need to include in their health plans.

Read more here on how employers of large retail and restaurant chains plan to offer skinny plans to low-income workers, avoiding the employer mandate penalties.