Health Insurance in New Jersey

Nearly everyone in New Jersey is required to have health insurance. New Jersey’s official health insurance marketplace, GetCoveredNJ, provides access to affordable healthcare insurance. To be eligible for coverage through GetCovered NJ, a person must: 

• Live in the United States and have a primary residence in New Jersey.
• Be considered a United States and New Jersey resident for tax purposes.
• Be a U.S. citizen or national. If you are a non-citizen, they must be lawfully present in the U.S. for the entire time they plan to have health coverage.
• Not be currently incarcerated.

Open enrollment is typically from November 1 through January 31, but special enrollment periods can open after certain life-changing events, such as getting married, moving to a new coverage area, or losing job-based health coverage. Most people must have minimum essential health insurance coverage. Those who do not qualify for an exemption may be required to pay a fee when they submit their tax return. 

During open and special enrollment periods, people can compare plans and apply for insurance online. GetCoveredNJ’s network of free Navigators provides additional guidance. For questions and help, call 833-677-1010 (TTY: 711). 

For those currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan, GetCoveredNJ will take steps to enroll you in a similar plan for next year. To see your health plan for next year or pick a new one, visit GetCoveredNJ.

When applying through GetCoveredNJ, you may qualify for three types of financial assistance based on income: 

• Premium tax credits help lower monthly premium payments.
• Cost-sharing reductions are discounts that lower the amount people pay for out-of-pocket costs.
• NJ Health Plan Savings lowers the cost of health insurance through programs like NJFamily Care.