New Jersey health insurance for 2027 is bought through the state’s own exchange, Get Covered New Jersey — not HealthCare.gov. New Jersey expanded Medicaid as NJ FamilyCare, and most residents qualify for federal tax credits plus an extra New Jersey state subsidy. Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027.
Updated for the 2027 plan year (October 2026). Reviewed by Adam Segall, Licensed Insurance Agent (FL Lic #P101968).
Which exchange does New Jersey use for health insurance?
New Jersey health insurance works differently from most of the country because the state runs its own state-based exchange, Get Covered New Jersey. This is the one key thing that sets the state apart: residents do not use the federal HealthCare.gov. Every individual and family plan sold under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the state is shopped, compared, and enrolled through Get Covered NJ or a licensed partner that connects to it.
Get Covered NJ is also the only place where New Jerseyans can apply for financial help to lower the cost of coverage — both the federal premium tax credit and New Jersey’s own state subsidy. You can review the official state marketplace at Get Covered New Jersey.
Who the Marketplace is for
The Marketplace is built for people who buy their own coverage rather than getting it through a job or a government program. If you are self-employed, between jobs, an early retiree, a gig or seasonal worker, or your employer plan is unaffordable, this is where you shop.
You can enroll if you live in New Jersey, are a U.S. citizen or lawfully present, and are not incarcerated. You do not need to be sick, and insurers cannot deny you or charge more for a pre-existing condition. Most enrollees also qualify for help that lowers the monthly cost.
Tip: Coverage from the Marketplace is the same quality of plan whether you buy it on your own, through an agent, or with help from an assistant. Your price for an identical plan does not go up for using help.
How to enroll in New Jersey
Enrolling in New Jersey health insurance takes a few guided steps. You pick a plan during Open Enrollment at Get Covered NJ, confirm your subsidies, and your coverage starts on the first of the following month.
- Gather your details. Have your household size, your best estimate of 2027 income, and everyone who needs coverage ready.
- Apply at Get Covered NJ. Start at the state exchange or with a licensed helper. Your application checks you for the federal tax credit, the New Jersey state subsidy, and NJ FamilyCare all at once.
- Compare plans by your real needs. Weigh the monthly premium against the deductible, the doctors and hospitals in network, and your prescriptions.
- Enroll and pay. Choose your plan and pay the first premium to turn coverage on.
New Jersey gives you a longer window than most states. The Open Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage at Get Covered NJ runs November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027 — two weeks past the federal January 15 deadline. Plan to enroll by mid-December 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027 (Get Covered NJ has accepted enrollments through December 31 for a January 1 start in past years; confirm the 2027 cutoff with Get Covered NJ). Enroll in January for coverage that starts February 1. Outside those dates you generally need a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a life event such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage, or a new baby.
Compare every Get Covered NJ plan and your real subsidy in minutes — free and unbiased.
NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) context
New Jersey expanded Medicaid under the ACA back in 2014, and the program is called NJ FamilyCare. That expansion is good news: low-income adults ages 19 to 64 can qualify even without children or a disability, and there are no asset limits for expansion adults, children, or pregnant women.
Under the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, adults generally qualify for NJ FamilyCare with income up to about 138% of the federal poverty level — about $22,025 a year for one person or $45,540 for a family of four. Because New Jersey expanded, there is no Medicaid “coverage gap” the way there is in non-expansion states.
Children reach much higher
Kids have a far wider door. NJ FamilyCare covers children under 19 in households earning up to roughly 355% of the federal poverty level, often at little or no cost. You can check eligibility and apply at the official NJ FamilyCare site, or let your Get Covered NJ application screen you automatically.
Important: When you apply at Get Covered NJ, everyone in your household is screened for NJ FamilyCare at the same time. A family can have the parents on a subsidized Marketplace plan while the kids are covered by NJ FamilyCare — often the lowest-cost combination.
2027 New Jersey health insurance costs and subsidies
New Jersey health insurance costs more than it did a few years ago, and 2027 continues that trend. The enhanced federal premium tax credits expired on December 31, 2025 and were not extended, so for 2027 coverage the federal subsidies still exist but are smaller, and the 400% income cliff applies. In 2026, KFF found subsidized enrollees’ net premium payments more than doubled on average (about +114%) nationwide. New Jersey regulators have said rates will rise again for 2027, and nationally insurers proposed a median increase of about 15%.
The good news is that most subsidized enrollees still pay far less than the sticker price. The federal credit caps what you pay for the benchmark Silver plan at a set share of your income — from 2.15% to 10.22% for 2027 coverage, depending on where your income falls. New Jersey softens the blow with its own state subsidy on top (see the next section). Your real number depends on your age, county, household size, and income — which is exactly why comparing matters.
| 2027 New Jersey income reference | Income limit |
|---|---|
| NJ FamilyCare adult | up to about 138% FPL ($22,025 single) |
| NJ FamilyCare children | up to about 355% FPL |
| Federal premium tax credit | up to 400% FPL ($63,840 single / $132,000 family of 4) |
| NJ Health Plan Savings (state subsidy) | up to 600% FPL |
These are general reference points based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, not quotes. Learn more about what help you can get in our guide to 2027 health insurance subsidies and how dates affect your start date in Open Enrollment 2027.
New Jersey’s extra state subsidy
Here is where New Jersey residents get a real advantage. Since 2021 the state has offered New Jersey Health Plan Savings (NJHPS), a state-funded subsidy that stacks on top of the federal premium tax credit and lowers your monthly premium even further.
For 2027, the state says NJHPS remains available to households earning up to 600% of the federal poverty level, which is well above the federal 400% cutoff. It is applied automatically at Get Covered NJ when your household qualifies. How much it adds depends on your income and household size; 2027 amounts are set by the state and shown when you apply.
Good to know: The state subsidy “wraps around” the federal credit — people who receive the largest federal tax credit get a smaller state top-up, and vice versa, so help is spread across more income levels.
Metal tiers explained
Marketplace plans come in four metal tiers that describe how you and the plan split costs — not the quality of care. A higher tier means a higher premium but less you pay when you use care.
| Tier | Plan pays (avg.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | ~60% | Lowest premium, catastrophic protection |
| Silver | ~70% | Subsidy sweet spot; extra savings if income qualifies |
| Gold | ~80% | Frequent care, steady prescriptions |
| Platinum | ~90% | Highest use, lowest out-of-pocket |
A Catastrophic plan is also available to people under 30 or with a hardship exemption. Picking the right tier is a trade-off between monthly premium and what you pay at the doctor — see how to choose a health plan.
ACA, alternative & ancillary plans
Honesty is a consumer-first marketplace, so it does not stop at ACA plans. It compares ACA, alternative, and ancillary plans side by side so New Jerseyans can see the full picture, not just one shelf.
- ACA plans — comprehensive Get Covered NJ coverage with subsidies and guaranteed acceptance.
- Alternative plans — options that may fit specific situations, compared honestly against ACA coverage so you know the trade-offs.
- Ancillary plans — dental, vision, accident, and similar add-ons that round out a plan to your family’s needs.
Not sure where to start? Our overview of the health insurance Marketplace and finding affordable health insurance both walk through the basics.
How Honesty helps New Jerseyans compare and enroll
Honesty.AI is a licensed, unbiased, agnostic AI insurance agent. It is on your side: unbiased among carriers because it never earns more by steering you, and biased in your favor because it works for you, not the insurance companies. It compares every New Jersey health insurance option, applies your federal and state subsidies, answers any question, and can enroll you in minutes.
It is omnichannel — get help 24/7 by chat, voice, or text — and it compares based on your family’s actual needs, not a sales quota. Honesty® Insurance Services, LLC is licensed in New Jersey, so you get real, compliant guidance for your state and the Get Covered NJ exchange.
Privacy first: We never sell or share your data, and there are no spam calls. Your information stays protected with bank-level encryption — the opposite of a typical lead-generation insurance site.
Find your 2027 New Jersey plan the honest way
Compare every ACA, alternative, and ancillary plan on Get Covered NJ, apply your federal and state subsidies, and enroll in minutes — free, unbiased, and private. Honesty Is Your Best Policy®.
Frequently asked questions
Does New Jersey have its own health insurance exchange?
Yes. New Jersey uses its own state-based exchange, Get Covered New Jersey, not the federal HealthCare.gov. All ACA individual and family plans in the state are shopped and enrolled through Get Covered NJ or a licensed partner connected to it, and it is the only place to apply for financial help.
When is Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage in New Jersey?
Get Covered NJ Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027 — about two weeks longer than the federal deadline. Enroll in December for coverage starting January 1, 2027 (confirm the exact cutoff with Get Covered NJ), or in January for coverage starting February 1. Outside those dates you need a qualifying life event.
Did New Jersey expand Medicaid?
Yes. New Jersey expanded Medicaid in 2014 through NJ FamilyCare. Adults ages 19 to 64 can qualify with income up to about 138% of the federal poverty level, with no asset limit for expansion adults, so there is no Medicaid coverage gap in New Jersey.
What is New Jersey Health Plan Savings?
New Jersey Health Plan Savings is a state-funded subsidy that stacks on top of the federal premium tax credit. For 2027 it remains available to households up to 600% of the federal poverty level, well above the federal 400% cutoff, and is applied automatically at Get Covered NJ. The size of the state top-up depends on your income and household size.
How much does a New Jersey Marketplace plan cost in 2027?
Costs rose in 2026 because the enhanced federal tax credits expired, and New Jersey rates are rising again for 2027. Even so, most subsidized enrollees pay far less than the sticker price once federal credits and New Jersey’s state subsidy are applied. Your real price depends on age, county, household, and income.
Does it cost more to use Honesty.AI instead of Get Covered NJ directly?
No. Plan prices are set by insurers and regulated, so an identical plan costs the same whether you enroll yourself or with help. Honesty is unbiased, never sells your data, and never makes spam calls — it simply helps you compare and enroll.
Shopping for New Jersey health insurance does not have to be confusing. Compare your Get Covered NJ options with both subsidies applied, and pick the plan that truly fits your family.
Keep learning: explore the health insurance Marketplace, see how to find affordable health insurance, understand your 2027 subsidies, check the Open Enrollment 2027 dates, and learn how to choose a health plan that fits your family.
