 [ Symptoms ] i dislocated my toe doctor wants to have pin surgery need second opinion [ Disease ] most helpful answer under the law you can go without health insurance for up to three consecutive months without facing a penalty since you are not eligible for medicare until may you will exceed that limit the penalty is applied to each month you are uninsured for 2014 the clock does not start until april 1 in your case therefore you are only skipping coverage for one month that is subject to the penalty the penalty is the greater of 95 or 1 of your annual income so you will pay 112 of the yearly penalty    it is likely to be a very small amount and no doubt much less expensive than buying insurance however going without health insurance is a huge risk if you are injured or diagnosed with an illness between now and may you are completely on your own with regard to the medical bills you will incur