question about health insurance

[qjnl 4]

Hello all,

I'm currently in a dilemma and I'm not sure what I should do...

I received my 2 years green card this March. I'm not sure if I understand correctly, I think I'm required to have health insurance coverage under the Obama Care (Affordable Health Care Act). I still had insurance until Aug 14 this year because I was still a student at my university. I tried to signed up for health insurance through the market place in Minnesota (called MnSURE) and purchased a policy but was told it will take effect immediately in June at the time I purchase it. I told them I don't need coverage until mid-August (or even just August 1st). They said okay but I never received any confirmation. I later received an invoice for the insurance policy for June, I never pay for it since I never request to have coverage for June and July. Today I received a letter saying that they are cancelling my policy due to non-payment and I maybe subject to penalty based on Obama Care.

So here's my questions:

1) Am I required to have health insurance being a green card holder?

2) If so, is there another way I can purchase a policy not going through the state market place?

3) Will I really be penalized for being not have have health insurance?

Sorry for the long story but any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!