<prompt> Human: I dont think shes fully aware of the IRS penalty. And I dont want to be an over-bearing nagging brother to her about it. EDIT: Shes in the Psychology field and her job pays about 13 an hour.  <response>: I got health insurance through work at age 19, and until I was 25 I probably only went to the doctor twice. From 19-25 the insurance company came out ahead by insuring me. At age 25 I had an accident, the medical bills paid by insurance exceeded 100,000 but all I paid was my 3000 maximum out of pocket for the year.Odds are she comes out ahead by not carrying insurance at her age, but if she loses that gamble the cost could be very high. All it take is 1 serious illness or accident and she could be bankrupt without insurance. 