If his premium is $600/month and he has an annual copay, it would be much cheaper to pay the IRS penalty even with the higher 2016 penalties.
I worked with one of the most stupid people on earth for a few years. He manipulated his with holding to get a maximum refund, I told him he was a F^cking idiot.
His argument was, I get a bigger refund. My argument was invest it and get a bigger return over time.
His father was a bookie and apparently didn't teach his kid anything about money.