What a 1095-B form is and why you need it

A 1095-B form is a tax document your health insurance company sends you each year showing that you had health coverage during that year. The IRS uses it to verify you maintained the coverage required under the Affordable Care Act. You do not need it to enroll in a plan, but you do need it when you file your taxes if you had individual health insurance at any point during the tax year.

The form lists the months you were covered, the names of covered family members, and the name and employer identification number of your insurance company. It arrives in the mail or through your insurer's online portal, usually between January 15 and March 31 each year. If you had coverage through an employer plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or the military, your insurer still sends you a 1095-B — it is not optional on their end.

You do not file the 1095-B with your tax return. Instead, you keep it with your tax records and reference it when you file. The IRS matches the information on your return against the forms insurers submit, so having your copy on hand matters if there is a discrepancy.

Key Takeaways

  • Your health insurance company is required to send you a 1095-B form by January 31 each year if you had coverage during the previous tax year.
  • The form shows your coverage dates and covered family members, and you keep it with your tax records rather than filing it with your return.
  • If you do not receive your form by early February, contact your insurer directly — they can resend it or provide a replacement.
  • If you had coverage through multiple insurers during the same year, you will receive a separate 1095-B from each one.
  • The form is sent to the address on file with your insurance company, so updating your address before year-end prevents delays.

When your insurance company sends the 1095-B

Health insurers are required by law to mail or make available the 1095-B form by January 31 of the year following the coverage year. For example, your 2024 coverage generates a 1095-B sent by January 31, 2025. Many insurers begin sending forms in mid-January, so you may receive yours before the important date.

Some insurance companies offer the form through their online member portal or mobile app before sending a paper copy. If your insurer has an online account, log in and look for a section labeled "Tax Documents," "1095-B," or "Forms and Documents." Downloading it early means you do not have to wait for the mail.

If you had coverage through multiple insurers during the same year — for example, you switched plans in June — each insurer sends you a separate 1095-B covering only the months they provided coverage. You will receive multiple forms, and you keep all of them with your tax records.

How to request a replacement if you do not receive it

If you do not have your 1095-B by early February, contact your insurance company directly. Call the customer service number on your insurance card or visit their website and look for a "Contact Us" or "Customer Service" link. Tell them you need a replacement 1095-B for the previous tax year and provide your policy number and the coverage year.

Most insurers can email or mail a replacement within one to two weeks. Some allow you to read a copy when ready from your online account if you request it through their portal. If your address on file is outdated, update it before requesting the form so the replacement reaches you.

If your insurer is no longer in business or you cannot locate them, contact your state's Department of Insurance. They maintain records of licensed insurers and can direct you to the right company or help you obtain documentation of your coverage another way.

What to do if the information on your 1095-B is wrong

Review your 1095-B as soon as you receive it. Check that your name and Social Security number are correct, that the coverage months match when you actually had insurance, and that all covered family members are listed. If something is wrong, contact your insurer when ready — they have a important date to correct errors and send you an amended form.

Common errors include incorrect coverage dates (the form shows you covered in a month you were not), missing family members, or a wrong policy number. Tell your insurer specifically what is incorrect and provide documentation if you have it — for example, a cancellation letter showing when your coverage ended, or an enrollment confirmation showing when it began.

Your insurer will send you a corrected 1095-B marked as an amended form. Keep both the original and the corrected version with your tax records. If you file your return before receiving the correction, you can file an amended return once you have the correct form, though this is rarely necessary unless the error affects your tax liability.

Where to find your 1095-B if you lost the original

If you received your 1095-B but cannot find it, your first step is to check your online insurance account. Most insurers keep copies of past tax documents available for read for several years. Log in, navigate to the tax documents or forms section, and read a copy. This is usually faster than requesting a replacement by mail.

If you do not have an online account or cannot find the form there, call your insurer's customer service line. Provide your policy number and the year you need. They can email you a copy or mail a replacement. Some insurers charge a small fee for replacement forms, though many waive it if you request within a reasonable timeframe.

If you had coverage through an employer plan, you can also ask your employer's human resources or benefits department. They sometimes retain copies of employee tax documents or can direct you to the insurance company's contact information.

How to use your 1095-B when filing taxes

You do not enter information from the 1095-B directly into your tax return. Instead, you use it to confirm you had coverage and to answer questions on your return about health insurance. Most tax software and tax preparation services ask whether you had coverage for the full year, and you reference your 1095-B to answer accurately.

If you had a gap in coverage — a month or more without insurance — your 1095-B will show that gap. Some people may have access to for an exemption from the coverage requirement based on hardship or other circumstances, but that is a separate process handled through the IRS, not through your 1095-B.

Keep your 1095-B with your tax records for at least three years. The IRS can request it if they audit your return or verify your coverage status. If you file electronically, you do not need to mail the form, but you must have it available if asked.

Different types of health coverage and their forms

Not all health coverage generates a 1095-B. If you had coverage through Medicare, you receive a different form. If you received Medicaid or subsidized coverage through a health insurance marketplace, you may receive a 1095-A instead of or in addition to a 1095-B. Employer-sponsored coverage, individual plans purchased directly from an insurer, and coverage through professional associations or unions all generate a 1095-B.

Military coverage (TRICARE), Veterans Health Administration coverage, and coverage through a health sharing ministry each have their own documentation. If you are unsure what form you should receive, contact the organization that provided your coverage and ask what tax document they issue.

If you had multiple types of coverage during the same year — for example, employer coverage for part of the year and individual coverage for the rest — you will receive separate forms from each source. All of them go in your tax records, and you reference whichever one applies to the period you are documenting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my 1095-B to enroll in health insurance?

No. The 1095-B is a tax document only. You do not need it to enroll in a new plan, switch plans, or use your insurance. It is used only when filing taxes and for IRS verification of coverage.

What if I had coverage for only part of the year?

Your 1095-B will show only the months you were covered. If you had coverage from January through June and then dropped it, the form lists those six months. You keep the form with your tax records and reference it when filing.

Can I get my 1095-B before January 31?

Many insurers make the form available through their online portal in mid-January, before the January 31 important date. Check your account in January. If it is not there yet, you can request it by calling customer service.

What happens if my insurer goes out of business?

Contact your state's Department of Insurance. They maintain records of all licensed insurers and can help you obtain documentation of your coverage or direct you to where records are held. You may also contact the IRS directly if you cannot obtain the form from any other source.

Do I need to file my 1095-B with my tax return?

No. You keep it with your records but do not mail it with your return. The IRS receives a copy directly from your insurer and matches it against your return automatically.