Health insurance coverage is no longer a requirement at the federal level, but some states still impose an individual mandate that requires residents to have coverage. The goal of this mandate is to prevent people from only buying health care plans when they know they need them. While you're not legally obligated to have health insurance, there are important considerations when it comes to excluding yourself from health insurance. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, a record 35 million now have ACA-related coverage. If you experience a major life-altering event, such as a divorce or a move, you may be able to enroll in a health insurance plan 60 days before or after the event.
It's important to take a closer look at affordable health insurance in states that require it if you want to avoid paying an income tax penalty but have trouble paying for health insurance. The mandate requires that all residents have health insurance coverage, and some plans only cover three primary care visits per year before the deductible is reached. If you're looking for individual or family health insurance options in a new state, you may be wondering which states require health insurance. While searching for private health insurance can be time consuming, it's often worth it, especially if you don't qualify for any of the other types of health insurance. In states that require health insurance and have a penalty, such as Massachusetts, California, New Jersey and Rhode Island, you must have at least nine months of health insurance coverage throughout the year. The amount of the penalty varies depending on income, age and family size, up to 50% of the minimum monthly premium payment that the person would have qualified for through Health Connector, the Massachusetts health insurance exchange.
The New Jersey Health Insurance Marketplace Preservation Act requires minimum essential health coverage for all people who qualify. Regardless of whether your state imposes a penalty, it's always a good idea to have some form of health coverage. This could be through a traditional health insurance plan, short-term coverage, or an alternative option like Mira. Some insurance companies and the health insurance market offer plans for domestic partners that provide the same benefits as those in traditional marriages.
