New Jersey: Get Covered NJ announces record enrollment, up 36% y/y to date; you still have until 12/31 to #GetCovered starting Jan. 1st!

via the NJ Dept. of Banking & Insurance:

NJDOBI Announces Record Enrollment to Date for 2025 Health Insurance Through Get Covered New Jersey

Residents Must Enroll by Dec. 31 for Coverage Starting Jan. 1; Open Enrollment Ends Jan. 31

TRENTON — Nearly 450,000 New Jersey residents have signed up for a 2025 health insurance plan through Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, in the first five weeks of the state’s Open Enrollment Period – a dramatic increase from 330,901 who had selected plans by this time last year, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Commissioner Justin Zimmerman announced today.

At the same time, New Jerseyans continue to take advantage of historic levels of state and federal financial help, with the average amount of assistance at a record high of $604 per person per month for 2025 coverage, compared to $566 during the previous open enrollment period. Nine out of 10 enrollees will qualify for financial help, and many individuals will have access to a health plan at a cost of $10 a month or less.

“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 Commissioner Zimmerman. “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. 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.”

As of December 5, 2024, 448,809 consumers have selected a plan during the Open Enrollment Period, which began November 1. This includes 78,824 new or existing consumers who actively selected a plan and 369,985 who were automatically renewed. At the end of the last Open Enrollment Period on January 31, 2024, a total of 397,942 residents overall had signed up for 2024 health coverage with Get Covered New Jersey. Overall plan selection totals are up 36 percent compared to this time last year.

Open Enrollment for 2025 health insurance ends January 31, 2025, but residents must enroll in a plan by December 31, 2024, for coverage beginning January 1, 2025. Those who enroll by January 31, 2025, will have coverage beginning on February 1, 2025.

Open Enrollment is the only time of year residents can enroll in a plan, unless they have a major life event, such as marriage, pregnancy, or a move, or meet certain income requirements that qualify them for a Special Enrollment Period.

Health plans offered through GetCovered.NJ.gov cover preventive services, emergency services, prescription drugs, prenatal and pediatric care, and more. No one can be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.

New this year, New Jersey has increased the affordability of certain medications. All Get Covered New Jersey health plans 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, helping to keep these critical medications affordable for residents.

In addition, under a new federal government policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients in New Jersey may qualify and can apply for coverage through Get Covered New Jersey.

Note: New Jersey has around 13,000 DACA recipients, although not all are eligible for ACA coverage for various reasons.

The number of carriers offering plans on Get Covered New Jersey has doubled over the last four years. This year, six insurance companies are offering plans through the marketplace: Aetna, Ambetter from WellCare of New Jersey, AmeriHealth, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare. 

Navigators, which are located in communities across the state, are available to provide assistance in connecting New Jersey residents to health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey. Each organization is able to assist residents in-person and remotely, and perform year-round outreach and education for 2025 coverage, including before and during the Open Enrollment Period. Navigator grantees provide local assistance in various languages at locations across the state.

The department has expanded its enrollment outreach with its Navigator partners in New Jersey malls, hosting pop-up events in nine malls throughout New Jersey. Remaining December dates include:

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

Follow @GetCoveredNJ on Facebook or X for more information on mall outreach events.

In New Jersey, there remains a requirement to have health coverage. Residents who do not qualify for an exemption from the Shared Responsibility Payment will pay a penalty at tax time.

Consumers can find more information by visiting GetCovered.NJ.gov or:   

• Find free local assistance on the Get Covered New Jersey website;  
• Browse plans now and find out if they qualify for financial help with the Shop and Compare Tool. 

Get Covered New Jersey’s Week 5 Open Enrollment Snapshot may be found here.

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