2-26-2023 3:55pm

Record-breaking 341K New Jerseyans Sign Up for Health Insurance During Open Enrollment Period

Chris Connors Editor

The Murphy administration's management of the state's Health Insurance Exchange resulted in a nearly 40% increase in sign-ups, with nine out of 10 residents enrolling qualifying for financial help.

Record-breaking 341,901 New Jersey residents have signed up for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey during the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period, announced Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride on Friday. This is a nearly 40 percent increase in sign-ups since the Murphy Administration took over the operation of the marketplace in 2020 for plan year 2021.

The number of residents signed up for coverage is a record high for New Jersey, with more consumers signing up for marketplace coverage than during any prior Open Enrollment Period since the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Since New Jersey opened the State-Based Exchange in 2020, plan selections have increased by over 95,000 (38.7 percent). In plan year 2020, 246,426 New Jersey consumers were enrolled in coverage through the federal marketplace.

This unprecedented number of signups follows policy actions at the state and federal levels to significantly increase and expand financial help to boost the affordability of quality, comprehensive health insurance. Currently, nine out of 10 residents enrolling at Get Covered New Jersey qualify for financial assistance and many individuals receiving financial help have access to a health plan at the cost of $10 a month or less.

While Open Enrollment is over, residents may still qualify
to enroll in a health plan if they have recently experienced a major life event or meet a certain income level. Those who qualify still have access to increased plan options and more savings than ever before.

The Expanded Access Special Enrollment Period allows qualifying consumers with an annual household income of up to 200% of the federal poverty level (up to $27,180 for an individual or $55,500 for a family of four) to enroll in free or nearly free health coverage through GetCovered.NJ.gov throughout the year.

Since taking over the marketplace in 2020, the Murphy Administration expanded the Open Enrollment Period to three months, from the six-week window available under the previous federal administration. The Murphy Administration also began offering state subsidies, expanded plan options, and increased investments in outreach and trained experts who provide free, unbiased enrollment assistance to residents in the community.

To assist residents with enrollment in the marketplace, the State has greatly increased its investment in Navigators since launching the state marketplace. This year, the department invested $4.4 million in 17 Navigators – local community organizations providing free enrollment assistance to residents, up from $400,000 in federal funding for just one Navigator under the federal government in 2019. Navigators provide help to residents by phone, virtually, or in person.

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

Residents can learn more at GetCovered.NJ.gov, find free local assistance, browse plans, and see if they qualify for financial help with the Shop and Compare Tool.

A Snapshot of Get Covered New Jersey’s Final Open Enrollment can be found here.