Say Goodbye to the Individual Mandate for Health Insurance

Nearly 12 million people selected or were automatically re-enrolled in a health insurance program in the ACA marketplace for 2018. However, with the individual mandate gone, many experts believe that there may be a drop in enrollment in 2019. This may result in higher premiums and fewer choices for those who wish to remain insured.

What Was the Individual Mandate?

Under the ACA, an individual who did not have health insurance coverage through their employer would be required to purchase an insurance plan through the marketplace or face a tax penalty. This mandate was eliminated in December 2017, a move that will take effect in 2019.

What Does That Mean for You?

Sure, you could forego insurance without a tax penalty in 2019, but should you? Before you decide that you’d rather save the money you’d otherwise spend on a premium, it’s important to consider the high cost of health care. No matter how healthy you are, your situation could change overnight. Are you prepared to handle the tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills that you could potentially be faced with if you became very sick or injured?

Before deciding to roll the dice and decline health insurance coverage, talk to an insurance agent to learn about your options.