The State Controller’s Office (SCO) and California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) provide comprehensive Affordable Care Act Training Programs and resources for human resources staff. These programs are designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and effectively utilize the SCO’s ACA System (ACAS). Understanding the ACA and ACAS is crucial for maintaining compliance and ensuring the state workforce receives appropriate healthcare benefits.
These training initiatives are specifically tailored for departmental human resources personnel who are responsible for managing employee benefits and utilizing ACAS. Employees of the California State University system should direct their training inquiries to BenefitsInsider@calstate.edu, as these programs are designed for state departments outside of the CSU system.
Comprehensive ACA Training Options
To accommodate various learning preferences and schedules, the SCO and CalHR offer several affordable care act training program formats:
- eLearning Modules: Self-paced online modules provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to learn at your own speed and schedule.
- Virtual Training Courses: Interactive, instructor-led virtual sessions offer a structured learning environment with real-time Q&A opportunities and collaborative exercises.
- In-Person Learning (Currently Not Offered): While in-person sessions are not currently available, it’s worth noting this format has been offered previously and may be reinstated in the future.
All affordable care act training programs are meticulously crafted to empower human resources staff with the expertise needed to access and input data into ACAS accurately. This ensures compliance with ACA regulations and efficient management of employee health benefits information within the state system.
Explore ACA eLearning Modules
Currently, a range of ACA eLearning modules are available to enhance your understanding of the Affordable Care Act:
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ACA Overview Video: This concise 8-minute video provides a foundational understanding of the ACA. It clarifies the federal government’s compliance mandates, potential penalties for non-compliance, and introduces the SCO ACAS. This overview is beneficial for anyone seeking to grasp the essence of the ACA and its implications for the State of California workforce.
ACA Overview Video: https://benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/benefits-program-resources/affordable-care-act-aca/
To access the ACA Overview video, you will need to request a password by emailing ppsdacatraining@sco.ca.gov.
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ACA eLearning Module 1: As the first in a two-part series, Module 1 delves into the employer-administered aspects of the ACA that significantly impact the State of California as a large employer. It elucidates the state’s policies and practices formulated to align with ACA provisions. Furthermore, it outlines the roles of departmental HR staff in implementing these ACA-related policies to ensure the state’s continuous compliance. Runtime: Approximately 30 minutes and 40 seconds.
ACA eLearning Module 1: http://cacontrollers.adobeconnect.com/pwmh0r97ulad/
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ACA eLearning Module 2 New!!: The newly released Module 2 is the second eLearning module focusing on the Affordable Care Act program. It is highly recommended for all authorized ACAS users aiming to gain practical experience in accessing and inputting data into ACAS. Through guided exercises and provided tools, participants will learn how to navigate the system, generate compliance reports, and effectively key in data to ACAS. Runtime: Approximately 31 minutes.
ACA eLearning Module 2: Affordable Care Act Training ACAS Keying: http://cacontrollers.adobeconnect.com/pakhakqabita/
Virtual ACA Training Sessions
Virtual affordable care act training programs offer an interactive learning experience.
Prerequisites: Before attending virtual training, participants are required to complete the ACA Overview Video and the Keying ACAS Transactions Training Module (links provided above). This ensures all participants have a foundational understanding before engaging in the more detailed virtual sessions.
2025 Virtual Training Schedule
The 2025 schedule for virtual affordable care act training programs is conveniently structured across three parts, all conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams:
| CalHR Part 1 | ACA/SCO Part 2A | ACA/SCO Part 2B |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, February 24, 2025 | Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | Thursday, February 27, 2025 |
| Monday, April 7, 2025 | Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | Thursday, April 9, 2025 |
| Monday, May 12, 2025 | Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | Thursday, May 14, 2025 |
| Monday, June 23, 2025 | Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | Thursday, June 25, 2025 |
| Monday, August 4, 2025 | Tuesday, August 5, 2025 | Thursday, August 6, 2025 |
| Monday, September 15, 2025 | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | Thursday, September 17, 2025 |
| Monday, November 17, 2025 | Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | Thursday, November 20, 2025 |
| Monday, December 1, 2025 | Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | Thursday, December 3, 2025 |
This structured schedule allows HR professionals to plan their training participation in advance and choose dates that best suit their availability.
Virtual Training Registration
To enroll in these virtual affordable care act training courses, supervisors should contact the ACA consultants at PPSDACATraining@sco.ca.gov. This streamlined registration process ensures proper coordination and management of training enrollments.
Upon enrollment, both the participating HR staff member and their supervisor will receive a confirmation email. This email will contain essential class details, including the training date, course materials, session duration, timings, and virtual location details. Furthermore, participants will receive a reminder email approximately one week prior to their scheduled class, ensuring they are well-prepared and don’t miss their training session.
Request Special Consultations and Training
For specialized requests or tailored training needs beyond the standard offerings, you can reach out to the ACA Consultants at PPSDACATraining@sco.ca.gov. The SCO and CalHR are committed to accommodating the diverse needs of their customers and will endeavor to address your specific requirements.
Essential Resources for ACAS Users
A wealth of resources is readily available to support ACAS users and anyone seeking deeper insights into the State of California’s ACA compliance efforts. These resources are invaluable tools for ongoing learning and reference:
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information Reporting Penalties (IRP): Learn about potential penalties associated with ACA information reporting non-compliance.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information Reporting Penalties (IRP) -
IRP Frequently Asked Questions: Get answers to common questions regarding Information Reporting Penalties.
IRP Frequently Ask Questions -
ACAS User Guide: This comprehensive guide details the procedures, transactions, and codes necessary for updating ACAS. It focuses on the mechanics of using ACAS for health benefit status changes, rather than health benefits administration in general.
ACAS User Guide (updated October 2024) -
ACAS Emulator: Practice using ACAS in a safe, online environment that mirrors the live system. This “hands-on” training tool is designed for HR staff responsible for inputting employee health benefit status codes. Sample Scenarios for the ACAS Emulator are available to guide your practice (please note this link will navigate you to the CalHR website). These scenarios are crucial for the emulator to function correctly.
ACAS Emulator (please note this link will navigate you to the CalHR website) -
ACAS – Employee Benefit Transaction Worksheet: Utilize this worksheet as a keying document to accurately record ACA Status Codes for employee health benefit status changes. It includes instructions and descriptions for each ACA Status Code.
ACAS – Employee Benefit Transaction Worksheet (note this link will navigate you to the CalHR website) -
Scenario Specific Job Aid for Updating ACAS: Explore practical examples and guidelines for documenting various ACA-related scenarios. This job aid assists HR staff in determining when and how to update ACAS to reflect appropriate health benefits status information based on specific employment or health benefit events.
A Scenario Specific Job Aid for Updating the ACAS database -
Monthly File Submission Overview: This resource is intended for entities reporting Common Law or 119-Day District Agricultural worker information via file submission. It provides detailed specifications on required data, formatting, transmission methods, and submission deadlines.
Monthly File Submission Overview
By leveraging these affordable care act training programs and resources, California State HR professionals can confidently manage ACA compliance and ensure accurate employee benefits administration within ACAS. Take advantage of these opportunities to enhance your expertise and contribute to the efficient operation of the state’s human resources functions.
