The individual responsibility requirement, also known as the individual mandate, is a provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring that all citizens obtain a minimum standard of health insurance coverage starting in 2014, obtain an exemption, or pay an extra fee (a tax) when filing their federal income tax return through the 2018 plan year. After 2018, there is still a requirement to maintain coverage, although you will not be charged a tax penalty unless you live in California, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Still, maintaining “Minimum Essential Coverage” can affect your eligibility for most special enrollment periods, and financial assistance to purchase such coverage is available through the health insurance Marketplace. Also, health insurance coverage provides important financial protection in case you need health services such as when you are sick or have an injury.
People can obtain the necessary coverage through their job, through a government program such as Medicaid or Medicare, or through the health insurance Marketplace in their state.
Exemptions from the individual mandate are also available to those that qualify. Most exemptions can be obtained through the tax filing process, but certain exemptions must be applied for and granted through the health insurance Marketplace.