Enrollment

Health insurance is essential for good health. It covers you – and your family – for preventive care including checkups, well child visits and immunizations as well as illnesses and accidents. Health insurance also can protect you against a big medical bill – not to mention that New Jersey law requires most adults to have health insurance or face an extra fee on their income tax filings.

GetCoveredNJ provides details of all the insurance plans available through the marketplace, plus information on financial assistance, monthly premiums, covered doctors and more. It also provides information on free or low-cost coverage for eligible people through NJ FamilyCare.

New Jersey’s Affordable Health Coverage Options

  • NJ FamilyCare (which includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program). Sign-ups for NJ Family Care are open year-round for those who meet eligibility requirements.
  • The Get Covered NJ online marketplace. There are only a few months each year when anyone can buy insurance through the online marketplace (called the “open enrollment period,” typically November through January). But if you’ve experienced a life event that has affected your current insurance, like marriage, a new baby or a job change, you may be able to sign up through Get Covered NJ.

Note : If you recently lost health insurance due to unemployment or another major event, you may be able to purchase insurance now through a "special enrollment period." Details are available at GetCoveredNJ.

What You Need to Know

Enrollment Help is Available

Individuals may go directly to GetCoveredNJ to purchase health insurance, but for those who need assistance through the process, we’re here to help! Since 2013, the nonprofit Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey (part of the New Jersey Hospital Association) has employed health navigators to help New Jersey residents access services available for their health and well-being. Our navigators are available for remote and in-person assistance. See our Calendar for enrollment events or Contact Us.

Apply for Financial Assistance

Many N.J. residents qualify for financial help or tax credits to make insurance more affordable. An eligibility application will be part of the enrollment process. In New Jersey, a family of four earning up to about $180,000 a year and an individual earning up to about $87,480 a year may qualify for financial help to lower their coverage costs.

N.J. Has Its Own Insurance Marketplace

If you already have insurance through the marketplace, you probably purchased it through the federal website Healthcare.gov. For 2024 coverage, New Jersey has its own marketplace, with a longer three-month period for residents to shop and sign up. Returning customers will use GetCoveredNJ to see their plan for 2024 or shop for a different plan.

Some Enrollment Options are Year-Round

For some individuals and families who qualify, the state-run coverage program called NJ FamilyCare provides enrollment opportunities year-round. In addition, there are “special enrollment periods” through the online marketplace for people who experience major live events like marriage, adding a baby to the family or losing job-based insurance. GetCoveredNJ provides additional information, and our veteran navigators can also assist in these year-round opportunities.