N.J. reports record 450K health insurance shoppers to date as eligibility for coverage expands

Nearly 450,000 New Jersey residents signed up for health insurance through the state’s healthcare marketplace during the first five weeks of open enrollment, a new record, the state Department of Banking and Insurance announced Thursday.

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Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 5, 448,809 New Jerseyans used “Get Covered New Jersey” to sign up for 2025 benefits. That’s a dramatic 36% increase from the same five-week period last year, said Justin Zimmerman, commissioner of the agency.

“Since New Jersey launched its marketplace four years ago, the number of people seeking coverage has expanded, which continues to demonstrate the real need for quality, affordable health coverage for residents and their families,” said Zimmerman in a press release.

Residents are getting record financial help to keep healthcare costs down, with the average person getting $604 per month for coverage, according to a news release.

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The state assistance program, New Jersey Health Plan Savings, assists those whose household income does not exceed 600% of the federal poverty level, $90,360 for an individual and $187,200 for a family of four, according to the state website.

“The levels of financial assistance available have enabled many residents in need of coverage to enroll at a low cost. Enrollment levels demonstrate that Get Covered New Jersey is a trusted resource for comprehensive health plans and the program remains a valuable and needed avenue to obtain affordable health insurance,” said Zimmerman.

The growth in people seeking coverage mirrors a nationwide trend. A record 16.6 million consumers have selected a plan in the federally-facilitated marketplace, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

This is the first open enrollment period in which Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients in the state can qualify and apply for coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, under a new federal policy. In New Jersey, this will affect nearly 13,000 people, according to a 2023 report by the Migration Policy Institute. The move was celebrated by immigrant rights groups throughout the country.

Also new this year is increased affordability of certain medications. All six companies offering plans through the state marketplace will cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month, as well as cap out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens and asthma inhalers at $25 and $50 respectively for a month’s supply, according to the announcement.

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The open enrollment period runs until Jan. 31. People who are not covered by their employer or a government program like Medicare and Medicaid are required to sign up for coverage or face a fee at tax time.

“We know the holiday season is a busy time for our residents, but it is important to remember that Open Enrollment is the only time of year to enroll. If you need health insurance, don’t wait, check out your options at Get Covered New Jersey today,” said Zimmerman.

Navigators will be available in-person to help residents with health coverage at the following dates and times:

• Cumberland Mall in Vineland on Dec. 27
• Paramus Park Mall in Paramus on Dec. 28
• Willowbrook Mall in Wayne on Dec. 28 and 29
• Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold on Dec. 29
• Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrenceville on Dec. 30
• Deptford Mall in Deptford Township on Dec. 31
• Menlo Park Mall in Edison on Dec. 31

To learn more about signing up for health coverage, visit GetCovered.NJ.gov. To learn more about reapplying for Medicaid/NJFamilyCare, call the NJ FamilyCare help line at 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711) or visit StayCoveredNJ.