Are US citizens still required to have health insurance?
Asked by: Claudie McKenzie | Last update: September 19, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (54 votes)
Is health insurance still mandatory in the US?
As of 2019, there's no more individual mandate. This means you don't have to enroll in health insurance to avoid paying a penalty fee, in most states. If you're 30 or older and want to enroll in a “Catastrophic” plan, you must claim a hardship exemption to qualify.
Are you forced to have health insurance in the US?
This requirement was known as the individual mandate. But in 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While having health insurance was still required, the penalty was reduced to zero dollars. This took effect in 2019.
Are US citizens required to have insurance?
Individual Mandate
Most people in California are required to have health coverage. If you do not have health coverage you may have to pay a tax penalty. This is called the “individual mandate.”
Is there still an individual mandate for health insurance?
Congress eliminated the federal tax penalty for not having health insurance, effective January 1, 2019. While there is no longer a federal tax penalty for being uninsured, some states (CA, MA, NJ, and RI) and DC have enacted individual mandates and may apply a state tax penalty if you lack health coverage for the year.
Which states require you to have health insurance?
What is the IRS penalty for not having health insurance in 2024?
If you had no health coverage
If you didn't have coverage during 2024, the fee no longer applies.
In what states is it illegal to not have health insurance?
- California.
- D.C.
- Massachusetts.
- New Jersey.
- Rhode Island.
- Vermont (but there's currently no financial penalty attached to the mandate)
Are US citizens required to carry health insurance?
Key Takeaways
Health insurance coverage is no longer mandatory at the federal level, as of Jan. 1, 2019. Some states still require you to have health insurance coverage to avoid a tax penalty.
Why are some US citizens without healthcare coverage?
Lack of access to affordable health coverage is the main reason many people say they are uninsured. A majority of working age adults in the U.S. obtain health insurance through an employer; however, not all workers are offered employer-sponsored coverage or, if offered, can afford their share of the premiums.
Does the IRS require you to have health insurance?
Individuals & Families
The law requires you and your dependents to have health care coverage. If you purchased coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may be eligible for the Premium Tax Credit.
Is it legal to stay in US without health insurance?
There currently is no federal law that makes health insurance a legal requirement. However, a few states across the U.S. make it mandatory to have healthcare coverage. If you live in a state where having health insurance is the law, you will have to pay a tax penalty for not complying.
Is it illegal to not use health insurance if you have it?
While it is not illegal to self-pay if you have insurance, we always encourage individuals to have the right health plans to ensure they are prepared for significant medical expenses. Still, we know that there are times when it does not make sense to file a claim with the insurance company.
What happens if you have no insurance in the US?
Driving without insurance is against the law in virtually every U.S. state. The consequences of driving without insurance can vary dramatically, with penalties ranging from a slap on the wrist to large fines and even jail time. Penalties can be particularly serious for repeat offenders and severe situations.
What happens if you don't pay health insurance?
If you miss a monthly premium payment
Your health insurance company could end your coverage if you fall behind on your monthly premiums. A short period after your monthly health insurance payment is due to pay all owed premiums to avoid losing coverage.
When did insurance become mandatory in the US?
Auto insurance became mandatory in the United States starting in the 1920s. Massachusetts was the first state to mandate auto insurance in 1925, followed by other states. Today, auto insurance is mandatory in 48 states since 1970.
Can you get healthcare in the US without insurance?
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicaid and CHIP provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including low-income adults, families and children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Does the US have mandatory health insurance?
The federal government has since repealed the health coverage requirement and penalty known as the individual mandate. But, some states still require their residents to have health insurance. Having a qualified health plan to avoid fines is essential in these locations.
Who pays for uninsured patients?
Hospitals do get help with the unpaid bills – from taxpayers. The majority of hospitals are non-profits and are exempt from federal, state and local taxes if they provide a community benefit, such as charitable care. Hospitals also receive federal funding to offset some of the costs of treating the poor.
Who is not eligible for Obamacare?
Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.
Is there a federal penalty for no health insurance?
The fee for not having health insurance (sometimes called the "Shared Responsibility Payment" or "mandate”) ended in 2018. This means you no longer pay a tax penalty for not having health coverage. If you don't have health coverage, you don't need an exemption to avoid paying a tax penalty.
What states offer free health insurance?
When did the individual mandate end?
Technically, the individual mandate itself is still in effect, but there's no longer a penalty to enforce it. The tax penalty was eliminated after the end of 2018, under the terms of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The continued existence of the mandate – but without the penalty – was the crux of the California v.
Is health insurance still required by law?
In fact, 2020 marked the first year that Californians were required by state law to have health insurance. This law is referred to as the individual mandate because it means that all individuals in California are mandated to have health coverage.
Does the IRS still require proof of health insurance?
Health care coverage documents
You are not required to send the IRS information forms or other proof of health care coverage when filing your tax return. However, it's a good idea to keep these records on hand. This documentation includes: Form 1095 information forms.
What state has the most uninsured health insurance?
Texas is home to the country's largest share of Americans under 65 without health insurance, according to new Census Bureau data, with 18.8% of residents uninsured as of 2022.