So if I read the story right it is very easy to game the system. Simply stop paying one of your utility bills for 60-90 days, and as soon as you receive a shut-off notice take it to the HHS office and get a hardship exemption from the “individual mandate”. Then go and pay the utility bill before they shut it off.
I had read that some of the problems insurers are having comes from people signing up for insurance during open enrollment, cramming as much medical care as possible into the first 60 days, but never paying the insurance premium or stop paying it after they have received medical services. They will be dropped from coverage but all they need do is wait another 8-10 months and enroll back in again, since insurers cannot reject applicants this can be repeated indefinitely. And, if one of the listed emergency medical situations occurs, you can enroll at any time.
So a person can pretty much get away without ever spending a dime by enrolling but not paying for insurance, while obtaining a hardship exemption to keep the IRS at bay. Voila, free healthcare!
And on top of this, if you don’t mind a standoff of angry letters with the IRS... just don’t pay the thing, and don’t get into a situation where the IRS owes you. Voila, IRS can’t collect.