Enrollment begins October 1st and ends March 31st, 2014.
When the uninsured need care
When someone without health coverage gets urgent—often expensive—medical care but doesn't pay the bill, everyone else ends up paying the price.
That's why the health care law requires all people who can afford it to take responsibility for their own health insurance by getting coverage or paying a penalty.
People without health coverage will also have to pay the entire cost of all their medical care. They won't be protected from the kind of very high medical bills that can sometimes lead to bankruptcy.
The fee in 2014 and beyond
The fee in 2014 is 1% of your yearly income or $95 per person for the year, whichever is higher. The fee increases every year. In 2016 it is 2.5% of income or $695 per person, whichever is higher.
In 2014 the fee for uninsured children is $47.50 per child. The most a family would have to pay in 2014 is $285.
It's important to remember that someone who pays the fee won't get any health insurance coverage. They still will be responsible for 100% of the cost of their medical care.
After open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014, they won't be able to get health coverage through the Marketplace until the next annual enrollment period, unless they have a qualifying life event.
Minimum essential coverage
To avoid the fee in 2014 you need insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage. If you're covered by any of the following in 2014, you're considered covered and don't have to pay a penalty:
Any Marketplace plan, or any individual insurance plan you already have
Any employer plan (including COBRA), with or without "grandfathered" status. This includes retiree plans
Medicare
Medicaid
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
TRICARE (for current service members and military retirees, their families, and survivors)
Veterans health care programs (including the Veterans Health Care Program, VA Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), and Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program)
Peace Corps Volunteer plans Other plans may also qualify. Ask your health coverage provider.
Who doesn't have to pay the fee
Uninsured people won't have to pay a fee if they:
are uninsured for less than 3 months of the year
are determined to have very low income and coverage is considered unaffordable
are not required to file a tax return because their income is too low
would qualify under the new income limits for Medicaid, but their state has chosen not to expand Medicaid eligibility
are a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe
participate in a health care sharing ministry
are a member of a recognized religious sect with religious objections to health insurance
Government Healthcare Opens for Enrollment
Written by Reising Insurance Agency on Sep 17, 2013