What happens if you don't have health insurance in Virginia?
Asked by: Mitchel Doyle III | Last update: August 30, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (18 votes)
Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in Virginia?
There is no longer a penalty for not having health insurance. Those enrolled in coverage will get tax forms to show the coverage they had in the last year.
Is it mandatory to have health insurance in Virginia?
While individual health coverage is no longer required or penalized after 2019, it is still a smart decision to have health insurance and it may be more affordable than you think.
What to do if you don't have health insurance in Virginia?
If you do not qualify for full benefits through Medicaid or FAMIS, or you cannot afford Virginia's Insurance Marketplace coverage, you can get health care services for the uninsured at Virginia's Free and Charitable Health Clinics and Virginia's Community Health Centers.
How long can you go without insurance in Virginia?
Penalties for driving without insurance in Virginia
If the police or DMV discover that you're driving uninsured, you have 30 days to provide proof of coverage. To encourage motorists to only operate an insured vehicle, Virginia imposes strict penalties on uninsured drivers after that period.
How to Survive Without HEALTH INSURANCE in Today's World
What to do if no insurance company will insure you?
If you're denied insurance, the first step is to call another insurer—different companies have different parameters. However, if several insurers have denied you, you may need to consider these options: Join a state assigned risk pool – Auto insurers participate on a voluntary basis in state assigned risk pools.
What is the new insurance law in Virginia?
As of July 1, 2024, all cars in Virginia must be insured with a policy that includes at least 30/60/20 liability limits — $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident of bodily injury liability insurance and $20,000 of property damage liability insurance.
Can I get free health insurance in VA?
Medicaid has health coverage programs for adults in Virginia who qualify. There are no enrollment costs and no monthly premiums for adults between 19-64 years old who qualify. Their income must be within the limits. Adults who are 65 or older, disabled, or blind may qualify for full Medicaid.
Can I go see a doctor if I don't have insurance?
Accessing affordable medical care without insurance is possible through various options such as community health clinics, walk-in clinics, and direct care providers, which may offer services on a sliding scale or for a set fee.
Can you legally not have health insurance?
As of 2020, California residents must have MEC for the entire calendar year or pay a penalty when filing their income tax return. This mandate applies to each resident, including their spouse (or domestic partner) and any claimed dependents. If you qualify, you can claim an exemption to the penalty on your tax return.
Can I go to the VA without health insurance?
Whether or not you have other health insurance coverage doesn't affect the VA health care benefits you can get.
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.
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.
Does the state of Virginia require health insurance?
The Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, no longer requires every Virginia resident to have health insurance. Some states have developed their own health insurance requirements outside of the ACA, but Virginia is not included in those states at this time.
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.
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 I still see a doctor if they don't take my insurance?
Not all doctors accept health insurance, while others only work with limited insurers. If your doctor doesn't accept your health insurance, you can try to get out-of-network coverage or find an in-network provider instead. Some doctors don't take insurance at all, and are cash-only.
Can I buy health insurance and use it immediately?
Many, but not all, short term health insurance plans can take effect the day after your application is received.
How much is VA health insurance a month?
There is no monthly premium required to use VA care, however Veterans may have to agree to pay copayments. If a Veteran has health insurance, it may cover the cost of co pays.
Where is the cheapest place to go to the doctor without insurance?
Your first choice are community health centers. Sometimes called a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), these are government-run clinics that offer services on a sliding scale. Sometimes, this even means that care is at no-cost.
What disqualifies you from Medicaid?
In general, a single person must have no more than $2,000 in cash assets to qualify. If you're over 65, the requirements are more complex. Whatever your age, there are strict rules about asset transfers. Medicaid may take into consideration any gifts or transfers of cash you've made recently.
What happens if you don't have insurance in Virginia?
Every person applying for registration of a motor vehicle and declaring it to be an insured vehicle, faces stiff penalties if the motor vehicle is later found to be uninsured. In this case, DMV suspends all driver's license and registration certificates and license plates issued to the owner of the motor vehicle.
What insurance is mandatory in Virginia?
Virginia Code § 46.2-706 requires all Virginia registered motor vehicles to be insured by a liability policy issued through an insurance company licensed to do business in Virginia, and it must remain insured while registered, whether or not it is operated. Penalties are severe for violation of this requirement.
What is the bad faith law in Virginia?
Virginia's bad faith law applies to any claims for personal injury or wrongful death arising out of a motor vehicle accident that occurs on or after July 1, 2024. Specifically, Virginia Code § 8.01-66.1(D) requires your car insurance company to act in good faith when handling your UIM claim.