Well, beginning 2014, when most Americans will be required to have insurance or pay a tax penalty, you’ll have to buy coverage independently if you don’t have it through your parents, a job or a government program.

You may find that prices are higher than today’s prices, since beginning in 2014, insurers won’t be able to set premiums based on risk anymore. Currently, if you’re young and healthy, you are low risk and, therefore, enjoy some of the lowest rates. While most Americans will need comprehensive health insurance to fulfill the individual mandate, if you are an adult under age 30, you will be able to meet the requirement with a cheaper insurance that covers less. As of now, insurers are required to cover some adult children up to age 26 on their parents’ policies, and some health insurance plans provide 100% coverage for preventive services.
A question most prominent on a lot of American minds is, Will I be penalized for not having insurance? Well the rules of the individual mandate are that if you meet any of the following requirements then there is no penalty for being without health insurance:

1. You are a member of a religion that opposes health insurance
2. You are an undocumented immigrant
3. You are in jail
4. You are a member of the Indian tribe
5. You are earning so little that you are not required to file an income tax return
6. You are unable to find insurance that cost less than eight percent of your income

If you do not already have insurance through a government program like Medicare or Medicaid or through your employer, then you must purchase health insurance independently or pay a penalty. Annual penalties will be small initially but will increase over time. The 2014 penalty amounts to $95. In 2015, the penalties will jump to $325, and in 2016, the penalties are scheduled to go up to a whopping $695.

The next big question is, How does the government intend to enforce the penalties? Well, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is charged with collecting the individual mandate penalties. If you are assessed a penalty, you will either owe more or receive a smaller refund when you file your annual income tax returns.

Please note, however, if you refuse to pay the penalty to the IRS, the affordable care act prohibits the agency from jailing you or seizing your property.