FINE INCREASE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama residents may face hefty fines for not obtaining health insurance as part of the Affordable Care Act.

Fines for not having health coverage in 2016 will be 2.5 percent of a resident’s annual household income, or $695 per person in the household, whichever is more. The fine will be capped at $2,085.

Those penalties are an increase from 2 percent of annual income, or $325 per person, with a $975 cap this year.

Residents can avoid the fines by buying insurance in the Affordable Care Act enrollment period that started Sunday and ends Jan. 31.