of reach more check your medical records for dangerous errors experts warn up to 450000 more californians may be uninsured in 2020 as a result of the penalty ending and up to 790000 more by 2023 boosting the states uninsurance rate for residents under 65 to 129 percent according to the study the individual market would suffer the biggest losses covered california the state health insurance exchange predicts that enrollment in the individual market both on and off the exchange could drop by 12 percent next year says agency spokesman james scullary exchange officials also blame the end of the penalty for a 35 percent average increase in premiums because the departure of some healthy people from the market will lead to a sicker and costlier insurance pool health insurance can be difficult to afford but going without it is a bad gamble scullary says keep in mind more than 22000 covered california enrollees broke dislocated or sprained arms or shoulders in 2017 and 50000 enrollees were either diagnosed with or treated for cancer he explains we know that none of those people began the year thinking this is when im going to break my arm or this is the year i get cancer he says if youre considering dropping your plan and risking the devastating financial consequences of an unexpected medical expense check first to see if you can lower your premium a big mistake for people is to look at the notice they get for their current health insurance and see its going up a lot and then throw up their hands and decide theyre going to go without says donna rosato a new yorkbased editor at consumer reports who covers health care cost issues before you do that look at other options the most important thing to do is seek free help from a certified insurance agent or enrollment navigator you can find local options by clicking on the find help tab on covered californias website wwwcoveredcacom next see if you can qualify for more financial aid for instance if your income is close to the threshold to qualify for tax credits through covered california or another obamacare insurance exchange about 48500 for an individual or 100000 for a family of four this year check with a financial professional about adjusting it rosato suggests you might be able to contribute to an ira 401k or health savings account to lower the total she says beyond that be flexible and willing to switch plans she advises consider different coverage levels both on and off health insurance exchanges if youre in a silverlevel plan the secondlowest tier you might save money by purchasing a less expensive bronzelevel plan that has higher outofpocket costs but would protect you in case of a medical emergency this year farrell got a clean bill of health from her doctor after a round of tests shes nervous about being without coverage next year but feels she doesnt have