Beginning this year, health insurance carriers have to send the Internal Revenue Service information about health plan members and their insurance coverage, including their Social Security number or other tax identification number. It’s one of the requirements of the Affordable Care Act / ACA.

The Obamacare law requires that everyone have qualifying insurance, qualify for an exemption, or potentially pay a tax penalty. The IRS will cross check the applicant information in tax returns against the information health insurers are required to submit for every person they cover. This IRS review will confirm that individuals have the required coverage and don’t have to pay a tax penalty.