Young adults who forego health insurance can lose subsidy

NEW YORK, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Some young U.S. adults say since they are healthy they will forego buying health insurance but experts say it doesn't work that way.

CNN/Money magazine said many younger readers in their 20s and 30s say they plan to forgo getting health insurance in 2014 and just pay the annual penalty of 1 percent of their income, or $95 if that number is lower next year as the penalty from the Affordable Care Act.

The young adults say since they feel fine they will put off buying health insurance until they get sick.

"Coverage on the state-based exchanges -- or the federal Marketplace that is providing an exchange for 36 states -- can cost $200-$300 a month for many people. That's why some young adults without any major health issues think that it's only worth signing up for Obamacare if they get really sick or wind up in an accident," CNN/Money said.

"But Americans can only sign up for coverage and subsidies on the exchanges during a specified enrollment period. For 2014, open enrollment runs from Oct. 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014. If a person misses that deadline, they can still get health insurance next year, though they won't be eligible for an exchange policy or a subsidy."

Many who make less than $50,000 a year, should be able to purchase health insurance for about $100 a month once the federal subsidies are included.

However, people can enroll in individual policies outside of the exchanges at any time, CNN/Money said.

Those who still want to sign up for health insurance after March 31, 2014, have to wait until 2015 for coverage. That enrollment period will run from Oct. 15-Dec. 7, 2014.

But there are some exceptions. Those experiencing major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or job loss, can enroll for insurance under the Affordable Care Act at any time, CNN/Money said.

In addition, those eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program can also sign up at any time.