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New Jersey Health Insurance Companies
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New Jersey Health Insurance Resources
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How to Get the Most Savings
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New Jersey Health Insurance FAQS
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How to Enroll in Health Insurance in New Jersey
New Jersey Health Insurance Companies
New Jersey has multiple health insurance company options. They all have several plans and pricing options available:
Amerihealth
Amerihealth operates under the umbrella of Independence Blue Cross. They have a variety of plans available, including both HMO and PPO plans, as well as high deductible health plans (HDHPs) that have the option to add a health savings account (HSA). They also have the largest hospital network in the state.
Horizon HealthCare of NJ
Horizon HealthCare is the best option if you qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. Their plans include the benefits of these programs, along with additional features and services that are provided at no additional cost. Horizon’s plans allow you to see an experienced team of specialists, doctors, and care managers who will collaborate to meet your healthcare needs.
New Jersey’s Short Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you’ve missed the health insurance Open Enrollment Period (OEP), or you need health insurance for a short amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
There are some rules around short-term plans, both at the federal and the state level. Some states choose to have their own guidelines separate from federal guidelines, or to not offer short-term plans at all. New Jersey is one of the few states that has actually banned short-term health insurance plans, due to strict laws surrounding individual health insurance that short-term plans seldom adhere to.
Health Insurance Marketplace in New Jersey
If you’re looking for health insurance in New Jersey, a great place to start is the health insurance Marketplace. Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes coverage for what are known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
The ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into different types, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care, though. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers in your state in order to compare all options available.
Over half of the uninsured in New Jersey who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
New Jersey Health Insurance Resources
You can easily find health insurance by utilizing the resources available to you. Your employer is one of those resources, so you should talk to them about your group health insurance options. Because your employer can get discounts for purchasing group coverage, employer-sponsored group plans are typically less expensive individual or family plans.
Government-sponsored programs are also worth looking into, to see if you are eligible for a low- or no-cost healthcare plan. Medicare provides health insurance to people aged 65 and up, as well as adults with certain disabilities. Medicaid provides low-income families with free or low-cost health insurance.
But your best resource when looking for health insurance is an insurance agent. An EZ agent can compare both on- and off-Marketplace options for you and ensure that your insurance covers all of your health needs while keeping you on budget.
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How to Get the Most Savings
New Jersey is the 26th most expensive state in terms of healthcare spending per capita. The average annual healthcare cost for one person is $11,266. But there are ways that you can save money on your healthcare.
Taking care of your health is the first step toward lowering your insurance premiums. Your body mass index (BMI) can increase your monthly payments, especially if you’re one of the 27.3% of adults in New Jersey who are considered obese. Maintaining a healthy BMI not only benefits your body, but it can also benefit your wallet.
Another factor that can raise your rates is smoking or using other tobacco products. In New Jersey, 12% of adults are reported smokers, and if you fall into that category, your premiums could go up by up to 50%! Consider quitting to reduce your insurance premiums, and your healthcare costs in general.
Where you live will also affect your premium rates. Certain areas have more medical providers, resulting in lower premiums. The five counties with the lowest rates are Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Essex, and Hudson.
But working with an agent is still the easiest way to save money. An EZ agent will work with your budget and can identify local discounts that will lower your premiums. Actually, our agents can help you save hundreds a year on your health insurance. And the fact that we never charge for our services also saves you money.
New Jersey Health Insurance FAQS
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Does New Jersey require you to have health insurance?
The New Jersey Health Insurance Mandate was enacted on November 21, 2019, requiring all New Jersey residents to have health insurance. Individuals and families must have at least a minimum of essential coverage, except if you qualify for an exemption.
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What is the cheapest health insurance in New Jersey?
The cheapest health plan will be a Bronze plan, which can start as low as $430 a month. Remember, though, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors.
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How much does health insurance cost in New Jersey?
The average monthly premium for health insurance in New Jersey is $585, or $7,020 per year, with plans as low as $430 a month to as high as $1,519. But do not let these numbers scare you. More than half of uninsured people in New Jersey qualify for a $0 Bronze plan and don’t even know it.
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Which insurance companies offer plans in New Jersey?
The top 4 insurers in New Jersey are AmeriHealth, Horizon HealthCare of NJ, Oscar Garden State Insurance Corporation, and Oxford Health Insurance (NJ) Inc.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in New Jersey
There are several ways to sign up for a health insurance plan. You can enroll in the group insurance plan offered by your employer or purchase an individual policy straight from an insurance company. Enrolling through the state-run health insurance exchange, Get Covered New Jersey, is an additional option. Residents can browse plans offered by participating companies on the exchange.
You should work with an agent regardless of the method you choose to sign up for health insurance. An EZ agent can quickly compare every option for your plan, pricing, and carrier, and can guide you through the entire enrollment process!
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. When you call, you will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.
