Health plans that meet all of the requirements applicable to other Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) but don’t cover any benefits other than three primary care visits per year before the plan’s deductible is met. The premium amount you pay each month for a Catastrophic plan is generally lower than for other QHPs, but the out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance are generally higher.
Due to the repeal of the ACA tax penalty, also known as the individual shared responsibility payment, beginning in 2019, to qualify for a Catastrophic plan, you must meet the following criteria:
- If you’re under 30 years old you may enroll in a Catastrophic plan whether or not you have a hardship exemption.[0]
- If you’re 30 years old or older you may only enroll in a Catastrophic plan if you qualify for a hardship exemption.[1]
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