As the federal government and state agencies try to “sell” the health care exchanges, one item is being left out of the advertising – – the penalty assessed to those who do not have insurance as of January 1.  Recent polls show that this is the least popular part of the program and the exchange operators and the President’s administration are downplaying it.  However, the penalty is a reality and individuals need to understand how the penalty works and how it will be assessed and collected.

For more information about the penalty for failing to have health care coverage read, “Talk of Penalty Is Missing in Ads for Health Care.”