Is it illegal to not have health insurance Florida?

Asked by: Nasir Pfeffer  |  Last update: January 18, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (73 votes)

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.

Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in Florida?

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 it legal to not have insurance in Florida?

Failure to maintain required insurance coverage in Florida may result in the suspension of your driver license/registration and a requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500.

Is it a law to have health insurance in Florida?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) required most individuals to have health insurance or health coverage beginning January 1, 2014. The tax penalty for not having minimum essential health coverage was reduced to zero beginning with the 2019 calendar year.

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 It Legal To Not Have Health Insurance? - InsuranceGuide360.com

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What states penalty for no health insurance?

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.

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.

Can you get medical care in Florida without insurance?

Florida's Healthcare Exchange provides available health plans for uninsured Americans offered by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (also known as Obamacare).

Do you legally need health insurance USA?

Individual mandate vs employer sponsored plans

However, the federal individual mandate was effectively eliminated in 2019, meaning there is no longer a federal requirement for individuals to have health insurance. This change in the individual mandate does not impact employer-sponsored health insurance plans.

Do Florida employers have to offer health insurance?

While Florida doesn't require employers to provide health insurance coverage, federal law requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) to do so.

Can you go to jail for no insurance in Florida?

In Florida, driving without insurance is a serious offense that can lead to hefty fines, license suspensions, and even imprisonment. If you are caught driving without insurance, you could be facing serious consequences.

What is the new insurance law in Florida in 2024?

Effective Date: July 1, 2024 with some provisions effective on May 13, 2024, the day Governor DeSantis signed the bill. Allows surplus lines insurance companies that meet certain financial requirements to take out policies from Citizens for dwellings that are not primary residences or homestead properties.

What happens if you have no insurance in Florida?

Driver's license and car registration suspension: Once the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles receives notification that you do not have car insurance, both your driver's license and registration may be suspended for up to three years.

Can you go to jail if you don't have health insurance?

So, is it illegal to not have health insurance since there is no longer a fine? On a federal level, having health insurance is no longer a legal requirement. However, a handful of states in the U.S. require citizens to obtain coverage or pay a tax penalty.

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 insurance is mandatory in USA?

Car insurance is required by law in all states, except in New Hampshire and Virginia. In New Hampshire, drivers are only required to show proof of their financial capability to cover for injuries and damages for accidents that they cause.

Can you be denied medical treatment without insurance?

Because of EMTALA, you can't be denied a medical screening exam or treatment for an emergency medical condition based on: If you have health insurance or not. If you can pay for treatment.

Is it mandatory to provide health insurance to employees in USA?

Employers must offer health insurance that is affordable and provides minimum value to 95% of their full-time employees and their children up to the end of the month in which they turn age 26, or be subject to penalties. This is known as the employer mandate.

Does Florida have mandatory health insurance?

Since 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has required most individuals to maintain health insurance coverage or potentially pay a penalty for noncompliance.

What happens if a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance?

If a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance, they are responsible for covering all medical expenses out of pocket. Healthcare in the USA is expensive, and even basic treatments or emergency services can result in significant bills.

Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in 2024 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.

What happens in the US if you don't have 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 much is a hospital bill without insurance?

The average per-day hospital cost in the U.S. is $2,883, with California ($4,181) the most expensive, and Mississippi ($1,305) the least. The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262. If surgery is involved, hospital costs soar through the roof.

What happens if someone cannot afford healthcare?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created government subsidies to help low- and middle-income people pay for health insurance. They help offset the cost of monthly plan premiums, coinsurance or copays and deductibles. There are two types of subsidies – premium tax credits and cost-sharing.