Health Insurance in New Jersey

Find plans and explore healthcare options in the Garden State.

Understanding New Jersey's Healthcare System

New Jersey actively manages its healthcare landscape under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through several key state initiatives. It operates its own state-based health insurance marketplace, **Get Covered NJ** (GetCovered.NJ.gov), where residents can shop for private plans. Notably, New Jersey offers **state subsidies (NJ Health Plan Savings)** in addition to federal aid, making coverage more affordable for more people. The state also expanded its Medicaid program, **NJ FamilyCare**, and implemented a **state individual mandate** requiring residents to maintain health coverage or face a state tax penalty. Furthermore, New Jersey **prohibits the sale of short-term health plans**.

Navigating health insurance in New Jersey means utilizing Get Covered NJ to compare plans and access both federal and state financial help. Understanding eligibility for NJ FamilyCare is also crucial for low-income residents. The state mandate emphasizes the importance of securing and maintaining qualifying coverage year-round.

Staying informed about Get Covered NJ's extended Open Enrollment period and the available financial assistance is key to finding affordable, comprehensive coverage. Use our free tools to get an instant quote or evaluate local market rates available through Get Covered NJ.

Map of New Jersey highlighting healthcare

New Jersey Health Insurance Coverage ()

Employer

~54%

Non-Group

~6%

NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid/CHIP)

~19%

Medicare

~14%

Military

~0.3%

Uninsured

~7.2%

Source: Approximate percentages based on KFF analysis of 2023 ACS data. Note: Categories may overlap; percentages may not sum exactly to 100%.

New Jersey Health Facts at a Glance

Overall Health Ranking

#11

Est. Population (2025)

~9.5 M

Avg. Lifespan

~79.9 yrs

Avg. Hospital Stay / Day

~$3,200+

Avg. Health Expenditure / Person

$11,868*

Number of Hospitals

~100+

*Avg. Health Expenditure per capita (KFF, 2020 data). Other stats based on most recent available data (2021-2025) - All stats are illustrative and need updating.

Health Insurance Programs for New Jersey Residents

New Jersey offers health coverage through a robust set of state and federal programs:

  • Get Covered NJ (GetCovered.NJ.gov): New Jersey's official state-based health insurance marketplace. This is the platform to compare and enroll in private health plans. It's the only place to receive both federal premium tax credits AND additional **New Jersey Health Plan Savings (state subsidies)**, making coverage significantly more affordable for eligible residents up to 600% FPL.
  • NJ FamilyCare: New Jersey's combined Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It provides comprehensive free or low-cost health coverage to eligible children, pregnant individuals, parents/caretakers, adults (under the ACA expansion), seniors, and people with disabilities based on income.
  • Medicare: The federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older, and younger individuals with certain disabilities.
  • Patient Assistance Programs: Various programs may help eligible individuals lower their prescription drug costs.

These programs, alongside employer-sponsored plans, aim to provide comprehensive and affordable coverage options, supported by the state's individual mandate.

New Jersey Short-Term Health Insurance

Important Note: The sale of Short-Term Health Insurance plans is BANNED in New Jersey.

New Jersey state law prohibits the sale and issuance of short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. These plans typically offer limited benefits and lack the consumer protections of ACA-compliant plans.

Residents needing health coverage in New Jersey must utilize options such as employer-sponsored insurance, plans available through Get Covered NJ (the state marketplace), NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid/CHIP), or Medicare. Standard short-term health plans are not a legal or available option in the state.

Finding Health Coverage In New Jersey

Securing health insurance in New Jersey is mandated by state law and essential for healthcare access and financial protection. The primary resources for non-employer coverage are Get Covered NJ and NJ FamilyCare.

New Jersey Open Enrollment via Get Covered NJ

Open Enrollment for individual and family health plans is conducted through New Jersey's official state marketplace, **Get Covered NJ (GetCovered.NJ.gov)**. New Jersey typically offers an extended Open Enrollment period, often running from **November 1st through January 31st**. Check the Get Covered NJ website for the exact dates each year. Enrolling during this time is crucial unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Get Covered NJ is the only place to access both federal and state financial assistance.

New Jersey Health Insurance Quotes

ACA-compliant health plans can be compared and purchased through **Get Covered NJ (GetCovered.NJ.gov)**. This is the exclusive source for New Jersey residents to access both federal premium tax credits and **New Jersey Health Plan Savings (state subsidies)**, which significantly enhance affordability for many families up to 600% of the federal poverty level. Comparing plans from participating carriers based on premiums, network providers, benefits, and total out-of-pocket costs is vital. While plans might be sold directly off-exchange, you forfeit all financial help. Our free quoting service helps explore plans available via Get Covered NJ. Enter your zip code to compare options and connect with certified assisters for free help.

Major Health Insurance Providers in New Jersey

New Jersey's health insurance marketplace, Get Covered NJ, features plans from several major carriers. Common participants offering individual and family plans include:

  • Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
  • AmeriHealth New Jersey
  • Oscar Health
  • Ambetter from WellCare of New Jersey

Plan availability can differ by county. Use the plan comparison tools on GetCovered.NJ.gov to see specific offerings in your area.

Carefully examine provider networks, covered services, drug formularies, and costs when choosing a plan. Get Covered NJ offers free assistance from certified Navigators and brokers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance New Jersey

Is Health Insurance Mandatory in New Jersey?

**Yes, New Jersey has a state individual mandate** requiring most residents to maintain qualifying health insurance coverage throughout the year. Failure to have coverage or qualify for an exemption may result in a **state tax penalty** calculated on your New Jersey income tax return. The penalty is based on income and family size, mirroring the former federal penalty structure.

What's the Cost of Health Insurance in New Jersey?

Health insurance costs in New Jersey vary based on age, location, plan choice, family size, and tobacco use. However, New Jersey offers significant financial assistance to make coverage more affordable. Exclusively through **Get Covered NJ (GetCovered.NJ.gov)**, eligible residents can receive federal premium tax credits AND **New Jersey Health Plan Savings (state subsidies)**, which extend aid to households earning up to 600% FPL. Many residents qualify for substantial savings, potentially resulting in very low or $0 premiums. **NJ FamilyCare** offers free or low-cost coverage for eligible low-income individuals. Use the tools on Get Covered NJ or our free estimate tool to explore potential costs.

How to Secure Health Insurance in New Jersey?

New Jersey residents can obtain health coverage through these main channels:

  • Employer-Sponsored Plans: Provided by an employer.
  • Get Covered NJ (GetCovered.NJ.gov): The official state marketplace to compare and buy individual/family plans, and the only place to get federal and state financial help. Enroll during Open Enrollment (typically Nov 1 - Jan 31) or SEP.
  • NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid/CHIP): Free or low-cost coverage for eligible residents. Apply year-round via Get Covered NJ or the NJ FamilyCare website.
  • Medicare: Federal program for those 65+ or with certain disabilities.
  • Directly from Insurance Companies: Purchase plans off-marketplace (no financial help available).
  • Short-Term Plans are BANNED: These plans cannot be legally sold in New Jersey.
Free enrollment assistance is available through Get Covered NJ assisters.

The Impact of Obamacare on New Jersey Insurance Rates

The ACA (Obamacare) has profoundly shaped New Jersey's health insurance system. The state fully embraced the law by **expanding NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid)**, creating its own state-run marketplace **Get Covered NJ**, implementing a **state individual mandate** to encourage coverage, and offering **state subsidies (NJ Health Plan Savings)** on top of federal aid. These actions have significantly increased the number of insured residents and made coverage substantially more affordable for hundreds of thousands of people compared to the pre-ACA system. New Jersey is often cited as a state that has actively built upon the ACA framework to maximize coverage and affordability.

Bottom Line

Finding health insurance in New Jersey involves understanding the state mandate, utilizing Get Covered NJ for private plans and extensive financial aid (federal + state subsidies), and checking eligibility for NJ FamilyCare. Remember that short-term plans are banned. Compare plans from carriers like Horizon BCBSNJ and AmeriHealth during the extended Open Enrollment (Nov 1 - Jan 31) via Get Covered NJ. Use available resources like certified assisters and online tools. Our quote tool or estimate tool can help you explore plan options and potential costs to ensure you meet the state requirement and secure appropriate coverage in New Jersey.