Beginning January 1, 2019, you will not be charged a tax penalty for failing to have coverage unless you live in a state with an individual mandate (California, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Rhode Island).
Beyond these legal requirements, insurance coverage is an important protection against unexpected, high medical costs. The cost of paying for medical care out of pocket is prohibitively expensive for most people, and while insurance coverage can also present a financial burden, it is far less than the cost of paying for an emergency or treatment for an unforeseen diagnosis without coverage.
To ensure that an insurance product provides comprehensive coverage and adequate financial protection, and to see if you qualify for premium tax credits, visit HealthCare.gov.