Is it worth getting health insurance through the marketplace or should I just pay the penalty?

Health & Fitness

I'm 26 and just aged out of my parents insurance. I'm a freelancer making around 45k a year in Florida. The marketplace plans are like /month for decent coverage which feels insane. I'm pretty healthy, rarely go to the doctor. Is it actually worth it or should I just risk it and pay out of pocket when I need care? What are you guys doing?

Emily Johnson

3 Answers

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Dude get the insurance. I thought the same way at 27, super healthy, gym 5 days a week. Then I got appendicitis out of nowhere. Surgery plus hospital stay was ,000. I had a cheap bronze plan that covered most of it, only paid like k out of pocket. Without insurance I would have been financially destroyed. Also check if you qualify for subsidies at that income level - you might get help with premiums.

Matthew Moore

Also look into healthcare sharing ministries if youre healthy. Not insurance but way cheaper and covers catastrophic stuff. I use one at /month. Not for everyone but worth researching.

Stephanie White

At k you probably qualify for subsidies that make marketplace plans much cheaper. Run your numbers at healthcare.gov - you might be surprised. I pay /month after subsidies.