A: Most of us. People who have insurance through their jobs, about 55 percent of Americans, aren’t directly affected by the law and are automatically in compliance with its mandate that everyone be insured. So are older Americans covered through Medicare.
Individual Mandate
Q: Do I have to buy insurance?
A: Yes, or pay a fine. The law requires that most Americans be insured starting Jan. 1. That can be through work, a government program like Medicare or Medicaid, or by buying on the exchanges. Those who opt out face a penalty starting next year at $95 or 1 percent of household income, whichever is higher. By 2016, it rises to $695 per individual or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is greater.
Q: Is the technology for the exchanges in place?
A: Building the exchanges has been a massive technical lift, requiring computer systems with real-time links to dozens of state and U.S. agencies and private carriers. The administration says the system is ready to go, albeit with delays and reduced capabilities in places like Oregon and Washington.
Company Mandate
Q: Has anything else been delayed?
A: The law requires that large companies offer benefits to anyone working more than 30 hours a week. In July, that rule was postponed until 2015 to ease the burden of compliance.
Last week, officials said a Spanish-language version of the federal website won’t be ready until mid-October and an exchange for small business workers won’t take enrollments until November. Nevada and California also won’t transmit names of new customers to insurers for about a month, Schuyler said.