If you don't have health insurance, or you're thinking about going without it, you may be wondered:
Is it illegal to not have health insurance?
The short answer is that there is currently no federal tax penalty for going without health insurance. However, some states and Washington, D.C., have their own requirements, so where you live matters.
There's another important question worth asking, too: Even if you aren't subject to a federal penalty for going without health insurance, how will you prepare for unexpected medical expenses?
For individuals and families looking for another way to approach their health care needs, a Health Care Sharing Ministry such as OneShare Health may be worth considering.
At the federal level, you will not pay a federal tax penalty simply because you don't have health insurance.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established an individual shared responsibility provision. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the federal individual shared responsibility payment to $0 beginning in 2019.
In other words, there is no longer a federal tax payment for going without qualifying health insurance.
That doesn't necessarily mean the same rules apply everywhere.
While there is no federal tax penalty for going without health insurance, some states and Washington, D.C., have their own requirements.
As of 2026, individual health insurance requirements exist in:
California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C., may impose a state or local tax penalty when applicable requirements aren't met and an exemption doesn't apply. Vermont also has an individual health insurance requirement, but it does not currently impose a financial penalty for going without coverage.
The rules, exemptions, and potential penalties vary by location. For example, California recognizes certain exemptions, including one for Members of a Health Care Sharing Ministry. Other jurisdictions have their own requirements and exemption rules.
Because these laws can change, check your state or district's current requirements before making a decision about your health care needs.
The legal question is only part of the picture.
Even when you aren't subject to a penalty, medical expenses can still happen unexpectedly. An accident, emergency room visit, surgery, or hospitalization can potentially leave you responsible for significant medical bills.
That means choosing how you'll approach health care expenses deserves careful consideration. Traditional health insurance is one approach, but it isn't the only way people choose to manage their health care needs.
For Christians interested in a community-based approach, the principle found in Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens", offers a helpful picture of the idea behind Health Care Sharing.
Health Care Sharing brings together a community of Members who contribute toward the Eligible medical expenses of fellow Members.
OneShare Health is a religious Health Care Sharing Ministry, not an insurance company. OneShare Health facilitates the sharing of Eligible medical expenses among Members according to the applicable Membership Guidelines.
It's a community-focused approach rooted in the biblical principle of sharing with and caring for others.
This distinction is important: Health Care Sharing is not health insurance.
Members remain responsible for their medical expenses, and sharing is subject to the Membership Guidelines, including applicable waiting periods, limitations, Individual Sharing Amounts (ISAs), Visit Fees, and other Program provisions.
For some individuals and families, traditional health insurance may not fit their budget or current circumstances. Others may be between jobs, self-employed, or simply exploring different ways to approach their health care needs.
OneShare Health gives Christians an opportunity to approach medical expenses through a community committed to sharing with one another.
To date, OneShare Health has shared more than $290 million in medical costs, bringing Members together around the idea that we're Better Together.
Members also have access to resources designed to help them make the most of their Membership, including access to a broad range of Providers through the First Health Network and Virtual Urgent Care (Telemedicine). Additional services and discounts may also be available depending on the Program and state.
The right Program depends on your health care needs, budget, and circumstances.
For those primarily concerned about larger, unexpected medical expenses, the Catastrophic Program is OneShare Health's most affordable Program, with Member monthly Contributions starting as low as $65. It's designed for individuals in good health with minimal medical needs and provides sharing eligibility for certain larger medical expenses, subject to the applicable Membership Guidelines.
For those looking for broader sharing eligibility, the Classic Program starts as low as $85 per month and provides additional opportunities for Eligible medical expenses to be shared.
Both Programs provide another way to approach health care needs while being part of a community of Members committed to sharing with one another.
Understanding whether you're required to have health insurance is an important first step. The next is deciding how you want to approach your health care needs and unexpected medical expenses.
For those interested in a faith-based, community-focused approach, OneShare Health provides Health Care Sharing Programs that bring Members together to share Eligible medical expenses according to the Membership Guidelines.
Get a quote today and speak with a OneShare Health specialist to find the right Program for you.