NJ Department of Banking and Insurance announces nearly 300K have signed up for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride Thursday announced that nearly 300,000 New Jersey residents signed up for a 2023 health insurance plan through the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey, in the first five weeks of the Open Enrollment Period that started on Nov. 1.

Total signups have increased compared to the same timeframe last year, as residents continue to take advantage of record levels of financial help available from the State of New Jersey and the federal government.

Open Enrollment for 2023 health insurance ends January 31st, 2023, but residents must enroll in a plan by December 31st, 2022 for coverage to take effect on January 1st, 2023.

“We are excited to have connected so many residents to quality, affordable health insurance for 2023,” Caride said. “With a critical deadline for coverage approaching, we encourage residents to shop by December 31 for a health plan to take effect for the New Year. It is important to know that most people enrolling will qualify for savings. Additionally, because of the efforts of New Jersey and the federal government to increase financial help, record savings are available. Those who need coverage should explore their options now to find a plan that meets their needs.”

As of December 5th, 297,824 residents signed up for 2023 health coverage, including 51,191 new or existing consumers who actively selected a plan and 246,633 who were automatically renewed. Overall plan selection totals are up four percent compared to this time last year, when 286,955 residents had signed up for coverage.

New Jerseyans continue to receive historic levels of financial help and the average amount of financial help for 2023 coverage is at a record high of $573 per person per month.

Record levels of financial help remain available to help lower the costs of monthly premiums thanks to passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed by President Biden in August 2022. This action preserved enhanced financial help made available to consumers by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, which significantly increased the amount of financial help available to consumers and removed the income cap to receive assistance. The law now ensures no one pays more than 8.5 percent of their income for health insurance (based on a benchmark plan) through Get Covered New Jersey.

The federal savings also allowed New Jersey to increase the amount of state subsidies, called New Jersey Health Plan Savings, available to eligible consumers and to extend the state savings to residents at higher income levels, those with an annual household income of up to 600 percent of the federal poverty level ($81,540 for an individual and $166,500 for a family of four in 2023).

At Get Covered New Jersey, residents can easily shop for and buy health coverage, and it is the only place to apply for financial help to lower monthly insurance premiums. Nine out of 10 enrollees will qualify for financial help. Due to the substantial savings from the federal government and the State of New Jersey, many individuals will have access to a health plan at a cost of $10 a month or less in 2023.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2023 coverage at Get Covered New Jersey runs from November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023. Consumers must enroll by December 31, 2022 for coverage starting January 1, 2023; if they enroll by January 31, 2023, coverage will begin February 1, 2023. Open Enrollment is the only time of year residents can enroll in a plan, unless they have a major life event, such as getting married, moving, having a baby, losing employer-sponsored coverage, or if they meet certain income standards that qualifies them for a Special Enrollment Period.

Established by Governor Phil Murphy and operated by the Department of Banking and Insurance, Get Covered New Jersey provides New Jerseyans with access to quality, affordable health insurance options for themselves and their families. All plans offered through GetCovered.NJ.gov cover preventive services, emergency services, prescription drugs, and prenatal and pediatric care, and more, and no one can be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.

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.

For more information, visit GetCovered.NJ.gov.