Starting in 2014, if you don’t have health insurance and don’t qualify for an exemption, you’ll pay a fee.   The fee will start off small in 2014 – $95 per adult or 1% of your household income, whichever is greater. But it will increase thereafter – to $695 or 2.5% of your income in 2016. There are a few exceptions, or situations under which you would not have to pay the penalty if you don’t have coverage.