Ahh, I guess things have changed then - in October of 2013 we got a letter from BCBS saying that while our plan didn't meet the ACA minimum requirements it was close enough we could keep it, but we'd pay the penalty. Looking around it looks like they may have rescinded that aspect of the ACA which would make me quite happy. We use insurance like we do auto or homeowners insurance - to cover the big bills from a serious illness (more of a catastrophic coverage).I don't think you pay a penalty unless you don't have health insurance.
Can someone confirm, please?