Health Insurance Plans in New Jersey (Newark, Jersey City & Central NJ), New Jersey (2026)

Which counties does this New Jersey health insurance page cover?

What is the health insurance marketplace in New Jersey?

The New Jersey (NJ) health insurance marketplace is Get Covered NJ (https://www.getcoverednj.com/), a state-based ACA exchange where residents compare and enroll in qualified health plans. Policymage lists 39 plans with live premium data. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 31.

How do I compare health insurance plans in New Jersey?

Use policymage.com/get-quotes: enter your ZIP code, household ages, and income. Policymage fetches ACA Marketplace plans for your county, calculates APTC subsidies, and lets you compare up to 4 plans side-by-side on premium, deductible, network, and benefits. Free, no account, no broker bias. Plans in New Jersey start from $400.73/month before subsidies.

Which Medicaid plan is best in New Jersey?

There is no single "best" Medicaid plan in New Jersey. Medicaid is administered through MCOs such as Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, AmeriHealth, Aetna CVS Health. The right plan depends on your county, doctors, and prescriptions. Medicaid (income up to 138% FPL, ~$22,025/year for an individual) is separate from ACA Marketplace plans at Get Covered NJ. Apply year-round through your state Medicaid office.

Is short-term health insurance available in New Jersey?

Short-term health insurance is sold outside the ACA Marketplace in New Jersey by private insurers. These plans are not ACA-compliant: they can exclude pre-existing conditions, skip Essential Health Benefits, and lack guaranteed renewal. For comprehensive coverage with subsidies, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan at Get Covered NJ during Open Enrollment (November 1 to January 31). See policymage.com/faq for more on short-term vs ACA plans.

How much is health insurance in NJ?

Health insurance in NJ starts as low as $400.73/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. Most New Jersey residents who qualify for APTC pay significantly less, some as low as $0/month for a Bronze plan.

What is the cheapest health insurance option in NJ for 2027?

The cheapest ACA option in NJ for 2027 is typically a Bronze-tier plan or, for residents under 30, a catastrophic plan. Both carry the lowest monthly premium in exchange for a higher deductible. Compare exact New Jersey plans and prices at policymage.com/get-quotes.

How do I get health insurance in New Jersey?

To get health insurance in New Jersey, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan through Get Covered NJ during Open Enrollment, which runs November 1 through January 31. Plans start at $400.73/month before subsidies. You need your ZIP code, household size, and estimated annual income to apply. Outside Open Enrollment you need a Qualifying Life Event (job loss, marriage, birth, or a move) to enrol through a Special Enrollment Period.

What is the best health insurance in New Jersey?

There is no single best health insurance plan in New Jersey; total annual cost depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and how much care you use. Policymage does not recommend plans. It lets you compare 39 New Jersey plans on premium, deductible, network, and quality rating. Total annual cost is the premium × 12 plus your expected deductible and copays. Cost-Sharing Reductions lower deductibles and copays for incomes between 100% and 250% FPL, and apply only to Silver plans.

How much is health insurance in New Jersey per month?

Health insurance in New Jersey starts at $400.73 per month for a Bronze plan for a 30-year-old, before subsidies. Most residents who qualify for APTC tax credits pay considerably less, and some pay $0/month for a Bronze plan. Your exact monthly cost depends on age, county, household size, and tobacco use.

How do I get free health insurance in New Jersey?

Free or near-free coverage in New Jersey comes from two routes. Medicaid covers adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $22,025/year for an individual), and you can apply year-round. Above that, APTC subsidies bring many Bronze Marketplace plans to $0/month for New Jersey residents on lower incomes.

When does Open Enrollment end in New Jersey for ACA plans?

Open Enrollment for New Jersey residents runs from November 1 through January 31. New Jersey runs its own exchange (Get Covered NJ), which set the January 31 deadline. Outside Open Enrollment, you need a Qualifying Life Event to enroll in a Special Enrollment Period.

How much does health insurance cost in New Jersey?

Health insurance in New Jersey starts as low as $400.73/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. With APTC tax credits, many New Jersey residents pay $0–$50/month for Bronze coverage. Costs vary by age, county, tobacco use, and household size.

Does New Jersey use HealthCare.gov or its own state exchange?

New Jersey runs its own state-based Marketplace called Get Covered NJ (https://www.getcoverednj.com/). You enroll there directly, not at HealthCare.gov. Plan offerings, enrollment dates, and customer support are managed by New Jersey, not the federal government.

Has New Jersey expanded Medicaid under the ACA?

Yes. New Jersey has expanded Medicaid, so adults with household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $22,025/year for an individual) qualify for free or very low-cost Medicaid. There's no Open Enrollment window; you can apply year-round.

What are the income limits for ACA subsidies in New Jersey?

Premium tax credits cover household income from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level: about $15,960 to $63,840 a year for an individual, or $33,000 to $132,000 for a family of 4. Below 138% FPL most adults qualify for Medicaid instead. Above 400% FPL there is no credit in 2027: the enhanced rules that removed that limit expired after 2025. Use the Get Covered NJ subsidy calculator for your exact estimate.

Does New Jersey have its own health insurance subsidy?

Yes. New Jersey Health Plan Savings: Households with income up to 600% of the poverty level can get state savings that lower monthly premiums, on top of the federal credit, through Get Covered New Jersey. This is in addition to the federal premium tax credit.

What are the metal tiers in New Jersey (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)?

New Jersey ACA plans come in four metal tiers based on actuarial value (the percentage of medical costs the plan covers on average): Bronze (~60%), Silver (~70%), Gold (~80%), and Platinum (~90%). Bronze has the lowest premium and highest deductible; Platinum has the highest premium and lowest deductible. Silver is the "benchmark" tier used to calculate APTC subsidies, and it's the only tier eligible for Cost-Sharing Reductions if you qualify by income.

Are HSA-eligible plans available in New Jersey?

Yes. HSA-eligible High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are available in New Jersey through Get Covered NJ. For 2026, HDHPs must have a deductible of at least $1,700 (individual) or $3,400 (family), and you can contribute up to $4,400 (individual) or $8,750 (family) to your HSA pre-tax. HSA contributions roll over year-to-year and can be invested.

Do New Jersey ACA plans cover dental and vision?

New Jersey ACA Marketplace plans for adults include preventive care, mental health, prescriptions, hospitalization, and the 10 Essential Health Benefits, but adult dental and vision are not federally required. Most New Jersey plans cover pediatric dental and vision automatically. For adult dental/vision, you typically buy a separate standalone plan through Get Covered NJ or directly from an insurer.

What is a Qualifying Life Event for Special Enrollment in New Jersey?

Outside Open Enrollment, New Jersey residents can enroll in or change ACA plans within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event: loss of other health coverage, marriage or divorce, birth or adoption of a child, moving to a new county or state, a change in income that affects subsidy eligibility, becoming a US citizen, or release from incarceration. Have documentation ready when applying through Get Covered NJ.

How do I find in-network doctors and hospitals in New Jersey?

Each New Jersey ACA plan has its own provider network. Before enrolling, look up the plan on Get Covered NJ, click the carrier name to access their provider directory, and search for your specific doctors and preferred hospitals by name. Out-of-network care typically isn't covered (HMO plans) or costs significantly more (PPO plans). Out-of-network costs can exceed the premium difference between plans.