Can we purchase Obamacare? Do we have to pay a penalty?

[Client]

My wife and I are US citizens, we were in India from Sep '14 until now. We will be back in the US Mar 1 2015. What health insurance can purchase? Can we purchase Obamacare? Do we have to pay a penalty?

[Moderator]

Thanks for contacting us.

US citizens who have one short gap of coverage (i.e. gap of less than 3 months) are exempt (Ref: Qs 6, 12 & 22 on http://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-A...lity-Provision).

The penalty for 2014 is the higher of $95 or 1% of the household income (Ref:http://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-A...ng-the-Payment).

Depending on the US state where you will be living, we can suggest options to purchase insurance for you and your wife. Please let us know which state you will be living in when you are back here.

[Client]

Do I qualify to enroll now under Special Enrollment?

[Moderator]

Open enrollment is over except for those who qualify for Special enrollment and you can check if you qualify for the Special Enrollment period by answering questions at:

https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/
If you are eligible to enroll now, create an account and follow the steps to apply for insurance. During the process you will be asked if you are working with a broker, at this step please select ‘yes’ enter the following agent information so that we can help you further with the application.

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NPN Number: 7789440