Hardship Exemption

« Back to Glossary Index

For plan years 2018 and earlier, most people must pay a fee (sometimes called the “Shared Responsibility Payment” or “mandate”) if they don’t have health coverage that qualifies as “minimum essential coverage.” One exception is for people who faced a “hardship” that prevented them from becoming insured.

Related Articles:
  • Glossary: Catastrophic Health Plan
    Health plans that meet all of the requirements applicable to other Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) but that don't cover any benefits other than 3 primary care visits per year before the plan's deductible is met. The premium amount you pay each month for health care is generally lower than for other QHPs, but the out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance are generally higher. To qualify for a Catastrophic plan, you must be under 30 years old OR get a "hardship exemption" because the Marketplace determined that you’re unable to afford health coverage.
« Back to Glossary Index