Under ACA, employers with how many full-time employees are required to offer affordable health coverage or face a penalty?

The ACA's employer mandate (also called 'pay or play') applies to Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) — those with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees in the prior year. ALEs must offer affordable health coverage that meets minimum value standards to full-time employees (30+ hours per week) or pay a penalty. Affordable means employee contribution does not exceed a percentage of household income (around 9-9.5%, adjusted annually). Minimum value means the plan covers at least 60% of allowed costs. Penalties apply if the employer does not offer coverage at all, or if coverage is unaffordable or below minimum value and any employee receives a marketplace subsidy. Smaller employers (under 50 FTEs) have no mandate but may offer coverage. The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit helps very small employers (under 25 FTEs) afford coverage.