Health insurance coverage is no longer a requirement at the federal level, but some states still impose a tax penalty if you don't have coverage. The Health Insurance Marketplace website provides data on the qualified health plans available in your state. Group health plans must provide an initial COBRA notice to each covered employee and spouse when they first become covered by the plan. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that 35 million people now have ACA-related coverage.
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. If you're struggling to pay for health insurance, you may qualify for a subsidy that reduces your premiums. You can also enroll in a health insurance plan 60 days before or after a major life event, such as a divorce or move. If you live in a state that requires health insurance, it's important to understand your options for affordable coverage.
To view all available data on qualified health plans in your state, visit the Health Insurance Marketplace website at HealthCare. Requiring health insurance also prevents health insurance companies from denying coverage to those who need it most. The amount of the penalty varies depending on income, age and family size. The purpose of requiring health insurance is to prevent people from only buying health care plans when they know they'll need them.
If you're considering moving to a new state and are looking for individual or family health insurance options, you may be wondering which states require health insurance.
