Is it illegal to not have health insurance in California?
Asked by: Ms. Rose Marks | Last update: October 25, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (14 votes)
What is the penalty for no health insurance in California?
California residents who do not have coverage for themselves and their dependents for each month in 2024, and who do not meet an exemption, will pay a penalty of $900 per adult or more and $450 per dependent child, or 2.5% of their gross income over the filing threshold for their filing status, whichever is higher.
Are you legally required to have health insurance in California?
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. Here's what you need to know about the individual mandate.
How long can I go without health insurance in California?
As a California resident, you should carry insurance throughout the year with no gaps in coverage of 90 days or more. Otherwise, you may face a tax penalty when you file your tax return. There are some exemptions to California's penalty, which we'll discuss later.
What happens if you don't have insurance in California?
For a first offense, the fine can be up to $200, and for subsequent offenses, it can go up to $500. With additional penalties and fees, you could end up paying much more. Vehicle Impoundment: Your vehicle may be impounded, and you will be responsible for any towing and storage fees.
Is It Illegal To Not Have Health Insurance In California? - InsuranceGuide360.com
What can I do if I don't have health insurance in California?
Get coverage
If you do not have coverage, open enrollment continues through January 31, 2024. Visit Apply | Covered California™ or call 800-300-1506 to sign up for health care coverage.
Does the IRS penalize you for not having 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.
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)
When did health insurance become mandatory in California?
The State of California adopted a new state individual health care mandate that requires individuals to maintain health insurance beginning January 1, 2020. Individuals who do not obtain health insurance for themselves and their dependents will be subject to a penalty unless they qualify for an exemption.
What is the cheapest health insurance in California?
Affordable health insurance in California for 2025
L.A. Care has the cheapest rates in California, and it's the cheapest health insurance company for about a quarter of the people in California. But you can only get L.A. Care if you live in Los Angeles County.
Is it illegal to not be on 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.
Is insurance mandatory in California?
Insurance (also referred to as financial responsibility) is required on all vehicles operated or parked on California roads. You must carry evidence of insurance in your vehicle at all times and it must be provided when: Requested by law enforcement.
Are you forced to have health insurance in California?
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.”
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 I go to the hospital without insurance in California?
Uninsured patients: California law now requires hospitals to provide free or discounted care to uninsured patients who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level. You may qualify if you earn $4,530 per month for one person or up to $9,250 per month for a family of four in 2022.
Is there a penalty for not having health insurance California?
The penalty for not having coverage the entire year will be at least $900 per adult and $450 per dependent child under 18 in the household when you file your 2023 state income tax return in 2024.
When did it become legal to not have health insurance?
Individual mandate
The mandate faced numerous legal challenges arguing the constitutionality of requiring Americans to maintain healthcare coverage. It was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2012 before being reversed in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which removed the penalty in 2019 tax returns.
Is it mandatory to provide health insurance to employees in California?
Health insurance in California
While health insurance isn't required by state law, federal law requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) to provide health insurance benefits with minimum essential coverage (MEC).
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.
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.
How much do you have to pay irs if you don t have health insurance?
The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) repealed the penalty (made the penalty amount $0) starting with tax year 2019. But you may wonder, “Do I need health insurance to file taxes after the ACA penalty was repealed?” The answer is no. You no longer will be penalized for not having health insurance.
What is the California ISR penalty?
by Intuit• Updated 1 week ago. Starting in 2020, Californians who don't have health insurance and who don't qualify for an exemption are subject to pay an Individual Shared Responsibility penalty, or ISR. Form FTB 3853 will be used to claim an exemption or calculate the penalty amount.
Does the IRS check if you had health insurance?
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required by state and federal law to send Form 1095-B information to the IRS and FTB for the purpose of validating months of health coverage reported by the person filing their state and/or federal taxes.