[rjsimmon]

Since I don’t do Obamacare, I am unaware of the mechanics for sign-up. Is there a window with which you must purchase a policy or can it be at any time during the year? If the latter, what is to prevent people from signing up Dec 30/31 and then cancelling the policy Jan 1/2 in order to avoid IRS penalty?

[MUDDOG]

signing up Dec 30/31 and then cancelling the policy Jan 1/2 in order to avoid IRS penalty?

The IRS form where you calculate the penalty is done on a month-by-month basis.

[Lou L]

Since I don’t do Obamacare, I am unaware of the mechanics for sign-up. Is there a window with which you must purchase a policy or can it be at any time during the year?

I don't do Obamacare either, but from what I've read, it's similar to other policies that might be purchased in a group setting. That is, you have a window for sign-ups, and that's it.

If you have some pre-defined "life event" however, you can apply for a new, or amended policy. For example, you get married, have a child, lose your job, etc.

[Buckeye McFrog]

If the latter, what is to prevent people from signing up Dec 30/31 and then cancelling the policy Jan 1/2 in order to avoid IRS penalty?

Nothing because I have it on good authority that the back end data interchanges to the IRS have never been built.