Millions of Uninsured May Pay More for Coverage Penalty than Coverage Would Cost

 

Healtcare Reform LawA recent Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) analysis found that millions may pay more for not having health insurance in 2016 than the coverage would cost. The ACA’s individual mandate penalty is collected with income taxes and was created to encourage people not to wait until they get sick to buy health insurance.

 

For 2016, the penalty is the greater of two amounts:

 

•$695 plus $347.50 per child, up to a $2,085 max for a family or

•2.5 percent of family income in excess of 2015 income tax filing thresholds ($10,300 for an individual, $20,600 for a family)

Kaiser estimates that approximately 3.5 million uninsured individuals are eligible for insurance subsidies to help pay for coverage, and purchasing a plan could be cheaper than going uninsured and paying the penalty. The average household penalty in 2016 is projected to be $969, which is a 47 percent increase from $661 in 2015. Individuals eligible for subsidies will owe an estimated average of $738 in 2016, while those who do not qualify for premium assistance will owe an estimated average of $1,450 in penalties.