Many are confused about when the individual mandate is actually effective.  It DOES still go into effect in 2014, unlike the employer mandate which has been delayed in its entirety to 2015. Initially, the mandate would be considered to be satisfied if you had a gap of no more than two months of coverage, which would require individuals to enroll in coverage by March 1st.  However, there has been some new guidance issued just this month clarifying that individuals who enroll through the marketplace have until March 31st to select their coverage. Enrolling this late, however, means coverage would not be effective until  April or May, due to the rule requiring individuals to be enrolled by the 15th of the month prior to starting coverage. Because the enrollment period in the marketplace goes until March 31 this first year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has clarified that individuals who enroll by March 31, 2014 in the marketplace WILL qualify for a hardship exemption from the mandate, even if their coverage does not start until April 1 or even May 1. Drop us a line or read more here if you have any further questions about this!