Q What if I don't have insurance?
A Nothing happens right away. Beginning in 2014, virtually all Americans will have to obtain coverage or pay a tax penalty. For a single person the penalty will start at $95 per year or up to 1 percent of income, whichever is greater. The penalty becomes larger from 2014 through 2016. You are exempt from the penalty for certain reasons of financial hardship.
Q My employer doesn't offer insurance and I can't afford to buy it on my own. What are my options?
A Starting in 2014, you will be able to buy private plans through state-based marketplaces. The exchanges are a way to comparison shop and buy private plans. If your income is low enough, you could qualify for federal subsidies or qualify for Medicaid, which will be expanded to cover individuals and families with incomes at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. (Some people with higher incomes may be eligible.) But it's unclear whether all states will expand Medicaid since the court said the government cannot force states to do so.
Q I have been refused insurance because I have a pre-existing medical condition. How can I obtain coverage?
A You may be able to buy it through "high-risk pools" the law has set up in each state, through the end of 2013. But the premiums in the pools vary and can be high. Starting in 2014, insurers will no longer be able to deny you coverage or charge you higher rates for having a pre-existing condition.
Q Will my insurance rate go up?
A Some of the rules imposed on insurers could contribute to an increase in your premium, with analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office showing increases of $100 to $200 a year for insurance through work. But rate may go up for reasons unrelated to the law, such as if medical costs in your area have increased.
