In what states is it illegal to not have health insurance?

Asked by: Aliyah Beatty Jr.  |  Last update: June 14, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (56 votes)

New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia require their residents to have health insurance coverage or face penalties. Vermont recommends that residents have coverage, but there's no noncompliance penalty.

Is there a penalty for no health insurance in the US?

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.

Is health insurance legally required in the US?

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.

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.

Do all states require you to have insurance?

Auto liability insurance is mandatory in 49 states and the District of Columbia. New Hampshire, the only state that does not require auto liability insurance, requires drivers to show that they are able to provide sufficient funds in the case of an at-fault accident (i.e., financial responsibility).

Is Not Having Health Insurance Illegal? - CountyOffice.org

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What states is it illegal to not have health insurance?

Presently there are six states with individual mandates:
  • California.
  • D.C.
  • Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont (but there's currently no financial penalty attached to the mandate)

How many states have mandatory health insurance?

New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia require their residents to have health insurance coverage or face penalties.

What happens in U.S. if no health insurance?

What are the financial implications of being uninsured? Uninsured individuals often face unaffordable medical bills when they do seek care. These bills can quickly translate into medical debt since most people who are uninsured have low or moderate incomes and have little, if any, savings.

How to survive in the USA without medical insurance?

Being uninsured or underinsured does not mean there are no avenues to get health coverage. Hospitals that accept federal money must provide a certain amount of free or reduced fee care. Check with the hospital's financial aid department to see if you qualify for reduced or charity care.

Is it illegal to not have health insurance in Florida?

Currently, there are no legal penalties or fines imposed by the state of Florida for not having health insurance. However, it's important to note that the federal ACA individual mandate, which required individuals to have health insurance or face a penalty, was effectively eliminated in 2019.

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.

What states offer free health insurance?

  • California. State offers public health coverage to all adults regardless of immigration status.
  • Colorado. State offers private health coverage with state subsidies to all adults regardless of immigration status.
  • Illinois. ...
  • Minnesota. ...
  • New york. ...
  • Oregon. ...
  • Washington. ...
  • District of columbia.

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.

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.

Who pays for uninsured patients in the US?

the federal government, localities, and states that support the operation of hospitals and clinics, both through direct appropriations and implicit subsidies like the Medicare and Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments; and. philanthropic donations.

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.

What happens if you can't afford healthcare in America?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

Is there anywhere in America with free healthcare?

The U.S. is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and a significant proportion of its population lacks health insurance.

Will US hospitals treat you without insurance?

If you have a serious medical problem, hospitals must treat you regardless of whether you have insurance. This includes situations that meet the definition of an emergency. Some situations may not be considered true emergencies, such as: Going to the ER for non-life-threatening care.

What country has the best healthcare?

According to the 2024 Mirror, Mirror report, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have the best healthcare systems, though the differences in overall performance among most countries are relatively small.

What happens if I go to the ER without insurance?

Despite the financial hurdles, uninsured emergency patients are provided with legal safeguards. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

Are you still fined for no health insurance?

The effect went into place on January 1, 2019, meaning that those who were uninsured in 2019 no longer had to pay tax penalties, but those who were uninsured in 2018 still had to pay the fine. Looking for ACA compliant coverage?

What states do you not have to have insurance?

Although leasing or financing offices may require one or the other. New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that do not require auto insurance. However, if you choose not to purchase car insurance in these states, you would still be held liable for any property damage or bodily injury caused by their vehicle.

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.

Which state has most uninsured health?

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.