Final Rule: Eligibility for Exemptions and Minimum Essential Coverage Provisions

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the final regulation explaining the eligibility rules for receiving an exemption from the individual shared responsibility provision through a health exchange, as well as two subcategories of exemptions that will be available through the tax filing process. HHS’s final regulation includes rules that will ease implementation and help to ensure that the shared responsibility payment obligation applies only to the limited group of taxpayers who have ready access to affordable coverage but choose to spend a substantial period of time uninsured. A fact sheet is also available.