If I don't sign up for any health insurance coverage this year will I have to pay a penalty/fine/fee of some sort? Through taxes? If yes then how much is the penalty? My income is <20k/year, I'm single <50 years old and my employer has canceled medical coverage starting this year.

Maybe. This site seems to explain it really well:

The Requirement to Buy Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (http://kff.org/infographic/the-requirement-to-buy-coverage-under-the-affordable-care-act/)

Which English speaking countries do not require you to buy health insurance?
How about Canada or American protectorates like Guam or Puerto Rico?

Why are you asking specifically?

What's the cheapest plan that will fulfill the government requirements for health care? I am employed part-time (~15k/year) in Ohio, 48 years old, non-smoking female, only person in the home and the only person needing coverage.

My employer ended coverage for part time employees in January '14. I was paying about $60 month for medical, dental and eyecare. Is there anything out there that's as low as that?

Ohio Department of Insurance (http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/Consumer/Pages/FederalHealthReformFAQs.aspx)

Why are you asking specifically?

I want to know the answer.

Why aren't you answering specifically?

Because you aren't answering WHY you need to know specifically... as is everyone else that's read this thread. Which thus far is something over 110 people.

If you're a landed immigrant or Candian citizen, in Canada, healthcare is free. The rest, if you really want to know, is available if you put in the time to research. Since you won't specify why you want to know, and it very much sounds like a homework question, I won't do the research for you. I'd suggest doing it yourself.

Sounds like she is thinking that it will be cheaper and easier to move to another country rather than to pay for health insurance.

On a less than $15,000 a year income (less than $20,000 on another post)? How could they afford to?

Speaking as someone who has moved internationaly 4 individual times ( over and back twice). Cheap is one thing it isn't. Even IF they get a VISA to allow it.

The U.S. stands almost entirely alone among developed nations that lack universal health care.
http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/international/assets_c/2012/06/mf%20healthcaremap%20p-thumb-615x314-91612.jpg (http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/international/mf%20healthcaremap%20p.jpg)

Even the nations without universal health care have heavily government provided health care.

I think if you followed the links provided you may find your premiums will be pretty close to what you pay now, and have more benefits under the Ohio Insurance Exchange.

Even the nations without universal health care have heavily government provided health care.

I think if you followed the links provided you may find your premiums will be pretty close to what you pay now, and have more benefits under the Ohio Insurance Exchange.

Actually the lowest quote I found so far is $263/month. I know the plan I had that was cancelled was a group plan but that's quite a difference!

Also, Thank you for answering my question.


If you're a landed immigrant or Candian citizen, in Canada, healthcare is free. The rest, if you really want to know, is available if you put in the time to research. Since you won't specify why you want to know, and it very much sounds like a homework question, I won't do the research for you. I'd suggest doing it yourself.

It is not a homework question and thank you for answering.


Maybe. This site seems to explain it really well:

The Requirement to Buy Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (http://kff.org/infographic/the-requirement-to-buy-coverage-under-the-affordable-care-act/)

Thanks for responding Scott. The site you listed does explain it well and that helps a lot!

Did you factor in the tax subsidies for your income?

Did you factor in the tax subsidies for your income?

No I didn't... Good idea! Um... where can I find that information?

https://www.healthcare.gov/

Please let me know your results. Hope it helps.

Go to the government insurance website for your state and go through the application process. It will give you your options and tell you if you get subsidies and tell you what it will cost exactly. If you cannot afford it, don't finish the transaction. If you have no insurance and are due a tax refund, your refund can be garnished for the penalty you will owe.

We we can't give you exact numbers because we aren you, and we can't do the application in your state, with all the required personal details about your circumstances. Everyone has to do it for themselves.

If you don't know where to log in, call your pharmacy or doctor and ask - they can probably tell you.