Do I Have to Get Health Insurance in Utah in 2024?

 

Learn whether you must have health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in Utah.

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Technically, the Affordable Care Act -- aka Obamacare -- still says that you must have health insurance. Practically, however, the federal tax penalty for going without health insurance has been “zeroed out.” That means you’ll still have to report your coverage status on your federal tax return, but you won’t have to pay a penalty if you aren’t covered.

A few states have passed their own health insurance requirements, but as we approach open enrollment for 2024 health plans, Utah is not one of them.

If you’re interested -- or if the tax penalty comes back -- here’s what the Affordable Care Act still says about the kinds of health insurance Americans should have.

What Qualifies as Minimum Essential Coverage?

The Affordable Care Act requires you to have what’s called “minimum essential coverage” or MEC. The following types of health coverage meet the ACA’s guidelines:

  • any health plan bought through Healthcare.gov
  • individual health plans purchased outside Healthcare.gov, if they meet the standards for qualified health plans
  • any “grandfathered” individual insurance plan you’ve had since March 23, 2010, or earlier
  • any job-based plan, including retiree plans and COBRA coverage
  • Medicare Part A or Part C (Part B by itself doesn’t qualify)
  • most Medicaid coverage, except for limited coverage plans
  • coverage under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • coverage under a parent’s plan
  • most student health plans (check with your school to see if the plan counts as qualifying health coverage)
  • health coverage for Peace Corps volunteers
  • certain types of veterans health coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs
    most TRICARE plans
  • coverage under the Department of Defense Nonappropriated Fund Health Benefits Program
  • Refugee Medical Assistance
  • state high-risk pools for plan or policy years that started on or before December 31, 2014 (check with your high-risk pool plan to see if it counts as qualifying health coverage)

If you want a more detailed list, see Minimum Essential Coverage on the IRS website.

What Doesn’t Qualify as Minimum Essential Coverage?

Some types of health plans don’t meet the requirements for coverage under Obamacare. These include vision insurance, dental insurance, workers’ compensation, coverage limited to a specific condition, and plans that offer only discounted medical services.

Learn More

To find out how to get covered, see How to Sign Up for Obamacare in Utah.

For information about costs, see How Much Does Obamacare Cost in Utah?


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Jurisdictional relevance: ST

There are versions of this article for each State.



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