IRS Form 1095-B is issued to verify that you and your dependents had minimum essential health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It comes from health insurance providers, small employers, or government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
While the form itself doesn’t need to be attached to your tax return, it’s important to keep for your records in case the IRS has questions about your healthcare coverage.
What Form 1095-B Tells You
Form 1095-B includes information about:
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The policy holder (Responsible Individual)
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The months you and your dependents were covered
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The type of health insurance plan provided
If your plan meets ACA standards, no further action is required. If it doesn’t, you may be subject to a penalty (called the Shared Responsibility Payment under Obamacare).
👉 Learn more about health coverage reporting with our guide to Form 1095-C.
If Your Health Plan Does Not Meet ACA Minimums
Receiving Form 1095-B does not guarantee that your plan meets ACA requirements. The form simply reports what coverage you had. Keep in mind:
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Short gaps in coverage (under 3 months) are not penalized.
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Older plans purchased before the ACA may still be compliant.
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Government programs like Medicare and Medicaid automatically qualify.
If your plan does not meet ACA minimums, you may owe a penalty. For past tax years, this was typically $325 or 2% of income, whichever was higher.
👉 Need help filing ACA forms electronically? Visit our ACA software page.
Why You Should Keep Form 1095-B
Even though you don’t file it with your tax return, Form 1095-B serves as proof of insurance coverage. It’s smart to keep it in case:
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The IRS asks for documentation of your health coverage.
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You need to confirm dependents listed under your plan.
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You switch jobs or providers and need past coverage details.
👉 For more details on IRS filing rules, see our article on the IRS FIRE System.
Summary
Form 1095-B verifies that you and your dependents had qualifying health insurance coverage under the ACA. Keep it for your records, confirm your plan meets ACA minimums, and be aware of any penalties if it does not.