In most states, people who have been uninsured since 2019 are no longer assessed a penalty.
But there is no longer a federal penalty for non-compliance.
In the states that have individual mandates and associated penalties, a variety of exemptions are available.
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In fact, enrollment has grown to new record highs in recent years.
Enrollment began to rebound in 2021, and has continued to grow ever since.
And theInflation Reduction Actextended those provisions through 2025.
This was a significant factor behind the record-high enrollment in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Why Does It Matter Whether People Have Health Insurance?
And that continues to be baked into the rates that insurers have used in subsequent years.
Although the individual mandate penalty was eliminated, the ACA’s premium subsidies helped to prevent enrollment declines.
They also spurred record-high enrollment once they were enhanced by the American Rescue Plan.
Another factor that has prevented enrollment declines is the limited enrollment opportunities for individual/family health coverage.
But they weren’t used for individual/family health coverage before 2014.
Summary
There is no longer a federal penalty for not having health insurance.
But nationwide, it’s still wise to have health insurance.
Not having coverage means health care for a serious ailment could be unaffordable or completely inaccessible.
So maintaining continuous health insurance coverage is always in your best interest.
In some places, yes, there is a penalty for not having health insurance.
There is no federal penalty for being uninsured.
The penalty for not having health insurance will depend on your income status and your state.
Expectations and guidelines for these fees can change from year to year, so stay current on this information.
Kaiser Family Foundation.5 charts about public opinion on the Affordable Care Act.
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Healthinsurance.org.Washington, DC health insurance consumer guide.
Healthinsurance.org.Rhode Island health insurance consumer guide.
Healthinsurance.org.California health insurance consumer guide.
Internal Revenue Service,Revenue Procedure 2016-55.
Healthinsurance.org.Vermont health insurance consumer guide.
Healthinsurance.org.Maryland health insurance consumer guide.
Center for American Progress.State-by-state estimated premium increases due to individual mandate repeal and short-term plan rule.
ACA Signups.2019 rate hikes.
Kaiser Family Foundation.Marketplace average benchmark premiums.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Newsroom.Marketplace 2024 open enrollment period report: Final national snapshot.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Trends in subsidized and unsubsidized enrollment.
HealthInsurance.org.Is there still a penalty for being uninsured?
Internal Revenue Service,Individual Share Responsibility Provision
