WHILE NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS WILL CONTEST THE NEW HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT… ONLY A HANDFUL HAVE FILED FOR AN EXEMPTION. OF THE 46 APPLICANTS, 19 WERE APPROVED. MOST OF THE BALANCE QUALIFY FOR STATE SUBSIDIZED COVERAGE. THE HEALTH INSURANCE CONNECTOR’S GENERAL COUNSEL, JAMIE KATZ, SAYS TAXPAYERS CAN ALSO CLAIM AN EXEMPTION WHEN THEY FILE THIS YEAR’S STATE INCOME TAX FORMS.

Most people who have this issue of whether they have to pay a penalty or not will deal with it through the tax return. They will file a schedule. They’ll at that point determine whether they are in or out.

THE STATE ESTIMATES THAT 60-THOUSAND RESIDENTS WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE INSURANCE MANDATE BASED ON THEIR INCOME AND COST OF HEALTH PLANS. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO DON’T FIT THE AFFORDABILITY GUIDELINES WILL ALSO ASK FOR A WAIVER.