The Affordability Safe Harbor Group configuration in Dynamics Payroll Inspector (DPI) allows users to define Safe Harbor rules that determine whether offered health coverage meets ACA affordability standards. Grouping employees based on classification types ensures consistent application of Safe Harbor logic across similar employee populations.

You can create an Affordability Safe Harbor Group by navigating to the settings screen for the Health Coverage Tracker in Dynamics Payroll Inspector.

Creating a new Safe Harbor Group

Select Create Affordability Group and enter a group name. Once named, you can proceed to define the group’s classification criteria.

Defining Group criteria

Choose a classification type (e.g., Department, Job Title, Employee Class, or Employee Type). Then select the specific values that apply to the group. Employees matching these criteria will be evaluated according to the Safe Harbor method chosen for the group.

Selecting a Safe Harbor method

DPI provides three Safe Harbor methods defined by ACA regulations:

• Federal Poverty Line (FPL)
• Rate of Pay
• W-2 Method

Select the method that aligns with how affordability is determined for this group. This setting informs DPI’s affordability calculation logic.

Saving and managing Groups

Select Save to finalize the configuration. Created groups appear in the Safe Harbor Group list. You can return at any time to modify the classification, selected values, or method.

Best practices and reminders

• Every employee should be assigned to only one Safe Harbor Group.
• Ensure the classification logic doesn’t unintentionally leave employees out.
• Use clear and consistent naming conventions for ease of future updates.
• Review settings periodically to reflect any changes in employment structure or ACA guidance.