Health insurance coverage has lots of advantages. It can assist you save on care, defend you in case of an emergency and should embrace added perks (like reductions for health golf equipment) and advantages (like wellness applications to assist you really feel your greatest). But do you have to have it?
The brief reply is “no.” As of Jan. 1, 2019, having health insurance coverage is just not necessary on the federal stage. But there are exceptions relying on the state you stay in.
If you’ve moved to a brand new state or are questioning about your particular person or household health insurance coverage choices, this is what you ought to learn about health insurance coverage necessities.
The Affordable Care Act’s affect on health insurance coverage necessities
After the Affordable Care Act (generally generally known as Obamacare) was handed in 2010, it made health insurance coverage extra accessible. It additionally required all eligible Americans to have health protection. If you went with out health insurance coverage for greater than two months back-to-back, you would obtain a tax penalty. This requirement was generally known as the person mandate.
But in 2017, Congress handed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While having health insurance coverage was nonetheless required, the penalty was diminished to zero {dollars}. This took impact in 2019.
So is the person mandate gone?
Yes and no. The federal particular person mandate that required folks to purchase health insurance coverage continues to be on the books, however the tax penalty for failing to accomplish that is zero. But it’s not unlawful to not have health insurance coverage.
Are there penalties for not having health insurance coverage?
There aren’t any federal legal guidelines that impose a penalty or effective for not having health insurance coverage. But there are some states, and one district, that have particular person health insurance coverage mandates.
If you stay in one in all these states, you want health insurance coverage protection:
- California
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington D.C.
Qualifying plans, penalties and exemptions fluctuate by state, so it can be crucial to evaluation the necessities of your state’s system.
The benefits of health insurance coverage and the way it retains you protected
Although the authorized necessities round having health insurance coverage have ebbed and flowed over time, one factor stays fixed: your health is one in all your most valued property. And a great health insurance coverage plan can defend not solely your health however your monetary future. Below are among the advantages that may come together with your protection. You would possibly discover one thing you hadn’t thought-about earlier than.
No-cost preventive care
If your health is your most valued asset, preventive health care is the stuff you do (earlier than you get sick) to keep wholesome and defend that funding. It helps you establish health issues like hypertension, diabetes and sure cancers earlier, after they’re simpler to deal with. And, consequently, can decrease your health care prices. Loads of preventive companies are folded into what you already pay in your health insurance coverage – so you received’t pay an additional cent for it.
When you purchase issues in bulk, like paper towels, the associated fee per roll is cheaper than when you purchase them individually. The identical concept applies for health care. Health insurance coverage like HealthCompanions characterize a whole lot of 1000’s of members and may negotiate extra reasonably priced costs in your behalf. So, when our plan members get in-network care they know they’ll depend on reasonably priced, high quality care from certified clinicians with a wide range of specialties.
Value-added perks
HealthCompanions members get pleasure from particular reductions, perks and advantages that include their health plan, together with no-cost well-being applications, recommendation for higher health, health membership reductions, journey help and extra.
Protection in case of an emergency
An accident, sudden sickness or medical emergency can occur any time, even when you are in good health. And an ambulance journey or hospital go to can turn out to be a giant expense if you’re uninsured. Having health insurance coverage can provide you peace of thoughts, assist you keep away from medical debt and defend your monetary future.
How can insurance coverage defend you from monetary loss?
When somebody by accident bangs up your bumper at a cease signal, automobile insurance coverage helps cowl the associated fee so you don’t have to tackle the total monetary burden your self. The identical is true for health insurance coverage. Whether it’s one thing deliberate (just like the delivery of a kid) or one thing sudden (like a critical accident or sickness), your health plan makes health care extra reasonably priced and protects you from catastrophic monetary loss.
Our specialists will assist you discover a health plan you’re assured in – irrespective of your state of affairs.
