HARDSHIP EXEMPTION

An excuse from paying a penalty fee for not having a health insurance. It may be granted if a person is in a situation that affects his or her ability to purchase health coverage. Hardship exemptions are a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law on March 23, 2010 by President Barack Obama. Starting in 2014, most individuals are required to have an acceptable health-coverage level known as minimum essential coverage, or pay a fee (called the "individual shared responsibility payment"). In certain cases, people can qualify for exemptions, including hardship exemptions, whereby no penalty is assessed for having no insurance.