What requirement must applicable large employers meet under the ACA concerning their full-time employees?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), applicable large employers—those with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees—are mandated to offer health coverage that meets minimum essential coverage standards to their full-time employees or face a penalty. This requirement aims to ensure that employees have access to affordable health insurance and does not allow employers to simply forgo offering any coverage.

If these employers fail to provide coverage that meets certain standards or do not offer coverage to at least 95% of their full-time employees and their dependents, they may be subject to an employer shared responsibility payment for each month they do not comply. This provision serves as a fundamental aspect of the ACA, promoting increased access to health insurance while implementing financial consequences for non-compliance.

The other choices do not align with ACA requirements. Employers are not limited to only offering wellness programs, nor are they obligated to allow self-insurance or to enroll employees in public insurance. Therefore, the requirement to offer health coverage or face a penalty is the essential obligation that applicable large employers must meet under the ACA.