<prompt> Human: I submitted my paperwork to add my husband and daughter to my health insurance plan through my employer in January 2016. The vendor that handles our health insurance dropped the ball, so I dont feel like I should have to pay a penalty.I had submitted the correct paperwork by fax, mail, and email in January and never received insurance cards or confirmation.I followed up by phone in February and was always given the runaround and told they would get back to me.I followed up several times via email in April and at one point expressing my frustration and anger at the process. FINALLY my husband and daughter were added in May, but now I owe a 400 penalty this year because they were not covered for four months. I missed the three month buffer too.Is there any way that I can avoid paying the 400 penalty? Will the IRS come after me if I lie and say my husband and daughter were only not covered from January through March?Assistant: Is there any way that I can avoid paying the 400 penalty?This is a question for the IRS. My guess would be no. Will the IRS come after me if I lie and say my husband and daughter were only not covered from January through March?Well, youll be breaking the law. Are you likely to be caughtprosecuted? No. But if you are? Expensive lie.Human: Maybe, but I have a paper trail to show my good faith at least.  <response>: IMHO, be prepared to pay the penalty and then try to recover the 400 from the insurance company that caused the damage to happen. Maybe you can do it in small claims, maybe not. Probably they will try to be nice to you but stop short of a formal apology, much less cutting you a check.Trying to stiff the IRS is... not a good idea. 