Understanding your IRS 1095 forms

Important tax document information for 1095-B: Kaiser Permanente is changing the annual tax mailing process for the 2023 tax year. This means 1095-B forms for proof of minimal essential coverage will no longer be automatically mailed. If you need a copy of your 1095-B form, you may request one by calling Member Services at 1-844-477-0450. 

About your Form 1095

The form(s) you get will depend on the type(s) of health coverage you had. See the table below to find out which type of form(s) to expect.

Medical coverage plan Form provider Form(s)
Health insurance marketplace Marketplace 1095-A (Pages  4 to 7 of this document)
Individual or family plan Most employers 1095-B (Pages  8 to  11 of this document)
Large employer plan Kaiser Permanente or employer 1095-B or 1095-C (Pages 12 to 13 of this document)
Medicare or Medicaid Government 1095-B
CHIP Government 1095-B
You may get multiple 1095-B forms if you were enrolled in one or more health coverage plans during the year.

Important information: Kaiser Permanente will make available (physically or electronically based on subscriber’s preference) Form 1095-B to primary account owners (also known as subscribers) annually in mid-January. These forms will be generated, until completed, in all regions. 

Need another type of 1095?

  • For Form 1095-A, please contact your health insurance marketplace.
  • For Form 1095-C, please contact your employer.

Under the Affordable Care Act, almost everyone must have health plan coverage. Each year you may get one or more versions of IRS Form 1095 (1095-A, 1095-B, 1095-C), depending on what kind of health coverage(s) you had. The 1095 form(s) prove you had coverage for the months listed on the form.

To support your efforts to file your taxes this year, you’ll get a copy (or copies) of Form 1095 from one or more of the following:

  • Kaiser Permanente
  • CMS for Medicare and Medicaid
  • The health insurance marketplace through which you purchased coverage
  • Your employer(s)

You may need your form to show proof of health plan coverage when filing your tax returns with a tax preparer. You don’t need to submit it with your return. For more information, please visit the IRS page on health care information forms.

Kaiser Permanente mails the 1095-B form only. You may get multiple 1095-B forms if you were enrolled in 1 or more health coverage plans during the year.

If you’ve received a notice from Kaiser Permanente stating that we would soon send your 1095 forms, know that the mailing of these forms starts in early January and will continue through the first weeks of February (in keeping with the IRS deadline).

Regardless of your type of coverage, you may have the following questions:

Does my health coverage affect my taxes?

Yes, it does, in 2 ways:

  • Federal tax law requires everyone to have health plan coverage or to meet the rules for not having coverage by obtaining an exemption. If you or your dependents did not have health coverage that qualifies, you may have to pay a tax penalty. For information on exemptions to the law about having health coverage, visit the healthcare.gov page regarding exemptions.
  • If you received financial help from the federal government to pay for your health coverage (such as a subsidy), you'll need to report the amount when you file your taxes. You must file a regular 1040 (you cannot use the 1040-EZ form) and Form 8962. Based on your results, you may get a credit, or you may have to pay money back.

Where can I get help filing my taxes?

You can get free help completing your taxes. Choices include free tax software programs or personal help. For more information, visit irs.gov/freefile or irs.gov/vita.

You can also obtain professional tax assistance. For information about choosing a tax professional, visit irs.gov/tax-professionals.

We may ask for your Social Security number

You may get a letter or an email from Kaiser Permanente during September/October timeframe asking for your Social Security number. We know this is personal information and you may not want to share it. 

We only ask for it because we need it to report to the IRS that you had health coverage, and Federal law requires that we ask for such information at least 3 times.