If I claim both of my unemployed parents on my tax return as dependents, do they need to have health insurance coverage for the whole 2018 year?

[Kell23elis]

I’m in a high deductible health plan offered by my employer, but my parent does not have any insurance coverage. Can I still claim the as dependents?

Will I be penalized if they don’t have any coverage or maybe only covered by a different plan than mind for a few months of the year?

[Vanessa]

Yes, you can claim them, but you will be penalized for any months they didn't have coverage. It doesn't have to be your coverage, it just has to be medical insurance of some type. 

[Bsch4477]

You are responsible for insurance coverage of any dependent.  Note that for tax year 2019 there is no longer a penalty for lack of coverage.