: Uses a sliding scale based on income; monthly penalties can range from $23 to $135 per adult .
: Has a mandate to report coverage but currently imposes no financial penalty for being uninsured. Key Considerations for 2026
: Matches New Jersey's formula with a $695 per adult minimum or 2.5% of income. do i have to buy obamacare insurance
The Individual Mandate for Health Insurance Coverage: In Brief
: Penalties start at $695 per adult and $347.50 per child , capped at $2,085 for families, or 2.5% of income. : Uses a sliding scale based on income;
: For 2026 coverage, the standard open enrollment period typically runs from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026 .
At the federal level, you are to buy "Obamacare" (Affordable Care Act) health insurance . While the individual mandate technically remains part of the law, the federal tax penalty for not having coverage was reduced to $0 starting in 2019. The Individual Mandate for Health Insurance Coverage: In
However, your requirement to have insurance depends entirely on your location, as several states have established their own mandates and financial penalties. States with Insurance Mandates in 2026