Haris Ashley
If you're looking for cheap medical insurance in New Jersey, there are a few options to consider. The state's health insurance marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey, offers plans with financial aid for those who qualify based on income, family size, age, disability, and other criteria. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the cheapest plans in major cities like Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson. AmeriHealth provides the most affordable Bronze plan, while WellCare of New Jersey has the cheapest Gold plan. For those seeking a balance between premiums and coverage, Aetna CVS Health offers the cheapest Silver plan. Catastrophic plans, designed for young adults or those with a hardship exemption, are available at lower premiums but with higher out-of-pocket maximums. Additionally, Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare provide medical assistance for low-income individuals and families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Enrollment period | November 1st through January 31st of the following year |
| Enrollment outside the period | Possible in case of a major life event or meeting a certain income level |
| Eligibility | Based on income, family size, age, disability, pregnancy, and having dependents under 18 |
| Cheapest insurance | Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| Cheapest plan | Silver |
| Average monthly cost | $583 |
| Average monthly cost for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan | $583 |
| Average monthly cost for a 60-year-old with a Silver plan | $600+ |
| Average monthly cost for people with income-based discounts | $156 |
| Average monthly cost for people with rate subsidies | $10 or less |
| Cheapest Catastrophic-tier plan | Horizon Advantage EPO Essentials |
| Average monthly cost of Catastrophic-tier plan | $319 |
| Cheapest Bronze plan | AmeriHealth |
| Cheapest Gold plan | WellCare of New Jersey |
| Cheapest Silver plan | Aetna CVS Health |
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GetCoveredNJ
The level of coverage you buy will impact your rate. Plans that pay for more of your medical bills, like Gold, cost more each month. On the other hand, Silver plans offer good coverage at lower monthly rates than Gold plans. If you are generally healthy, a Bronze plan could be a suitable option, whereas a Gold plan may be preferable if you require more medical care.
If you qualify for rate subsidies, you may also be eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which lower the cost of doctor visits. These are only available on Silver plans. In New Jersey, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the cheapest health insurance plans across major cities, including Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth.
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Medicaid
If you are looking for cheap medical insurance in New Jersey, you may want to consider Medicaid. Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance programme that provides free or low-cost coverage to eligible individuals and families with limited incomes and assets. The eligibility requirements and benefits offered by Medicaid vary from state to state, so it is important to familiarise yourself with the specifics of New Jersey's Medicaid programme.
In New Jersey, Medicaid is known as NJ FamilyCare, and it offers a range of benefits, including but not limited to hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, mental health services, substance use disorder services, and dental and vision care for children. To be eligible for NJ FamilyCare, applicants must meet certain income and resource limits, which are typically determined based on the size of their household and their annual income. For example, for the 2025 coverage year, an individual with an annual income of up to $30,120 or a family of four with an annual income of up to $62,400 may qualify for nearly free coverage.
The NJ FamilyCare website provides a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and a pre-screening tool that allows individuals to determine their potential eligibility before applying. It is worth noting that certain life-changing events, such as getting married, moving to a new coverage area, or losing job-based health coverage, may also qualify individuals for a Special Enrollment Period outside of the standard Open Enrollment Period.
When considering cheap medical insurance options, it is important to understand the level of coverage you require. While Medicaid provides comprehensive benefits, the cost of services covered by the programme may vary depending on your specific plan and the state in which you reside. Additionally, it is worth exploring other options, such as the state's health insurance marketplace, GetCoveredNJ, which offers a range of plans with different coverage levels and premiums.
To summarise, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare, is a viable option for individuals and families in New Jersey who meet the eligibility requirements and are seeking affordable or free medical insurance. However, it is always recommended to research and compare the various insurance options available to find the plan that best suits your unique needs and budget.
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Horizon BCBS
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) is a not-for-profit health service that provides health insurance coverage to over 3.2 million people in New Jersey. It is the only licensed Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association plan in the state. Horizon BCBS offers the cheapest health insurance in Newark, and its plans are the cheapest in all of New Jersey's major cities, including Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth.
As a Horizon NJ Health member, you have access to one of the largest networks of doctors, hospitals, and specialists in New Jersey. You don't need referrals for in-network specialists and have no or low copays for primary care office visits and preventive services. Horizon also offers programs tailored to your needs to enhance the quality of care you receive.
When choosing a health insurance plan, consider your budget and medical needs. Horizon BCBS offers a range of plans, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Gold plans have high monthly rates but pay for the highest share of your medical bills. If you need more medical care, this may be the best option. Silver plans are a good middle ground, offering good coverage at lower monthly rates than Gold plans. Bronze plans are ideal for those who are generally healthy, as they have lower monthly rates but may result in higher costs when you need medical care.
It is worth noting that certain life events, such as getting married, moving to a new coverage area, or losing job-based health coverage, may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period outside of the Open Enrollment Period. Additionally, income-based discounts are available, with nearly 9 in 10 people in New Jersey who shop on GetCoveredNJ qualifying for such discounts.
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Gold, Silver, Bronze plans
Health insurance plans in New Jersey are categorized into metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The choice of plan depends on your budget and medical needs. Here's a breakdown of each plan:
Gold Plans
Gold plans have the highest monthly premiums, but they also pay for the highest share of your medical bills. If you need more medical care, a Gold plan may be suitable. On average, Gold plans cover 80% of medical expenses, while members pay the remaining 20%. Money-saving subsidies may be available for Gold plans.
Silver Plans
Silver plans offer mid-range premiums and generally lower costs when you need medical care. These plans provide good coverage and are typically cheaper than Gold plans. Silver plans cover, on average, 70% of medical expenses, with members paying 30%. Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) are available for Silver plans, which lower the cost when you visit a doctor. If you qualify for CSRs, you will pay a lower deductible and less each time you receive care.
Bronze Plans
Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums but pay a smaller share of your total medical costs. You will pay more when you receive medical care. The OMNIA Bronze Plan, for example, offers the lowest monthly premium among comprehensive OMNIA Health Plans but has the highest out-of-pocket costs. On average, Bronze plans cover 60% of medical expenses, leaving members to pay 40%. Money-saving subsidies may also be available for Bronze plans.
It's worth noting that no matter which plan tier you choose, you may be able to save money on your monthly premium based on your income. Additionally, all plans must cover essential health benefits, but there may be additional costs for certain types of medical care.
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Eligibility criteria
The state of New Jersey provides its residents with financial help to lower health insurance costs. The official online health insurance marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey, offers three types of financial help: premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, and additional financial help from the state. Premium tax credits help lower monthly health insurance premium payments, while cost-sharing reductions decrease out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles and copays. The state savings, known as New Jersey Health Plan Savings, provide extra assistance to most people purchasing coverage in the marketplace.
Nearly free or low-cost coverage is available for New Jersey residents who meet certain income thresholds. For 2025, an individual with an income of up to $30,120 or a family of four with an income of up to $62,400 may qualify for financial assistance. Additionally, about 90% of New Jersey residents who shop for health insurance on GetCoveredNJ qualify for discounts based on their income. These discounts include rate subsidies, which can significantly reduce the cost of monthly health insurance bills. For example, some individuals pay $10 or less each month with a rate subsidy.
Life-changing events, such as marriage, relocation, or loss of job-based health coverage, can also impact eligibility for special enrollment periods and financial assistance. Moreover, changes in income, residence, or household size should be updated as they may affect eligibility for financial aid.
When considering health insurance plans, it's important to remember that the level of coverage and age influence the rates. Plans with higher coverage levels, like Gold, tend to have higher monthly rates, while Bronze plans are more suitable for those who are generally healthy and incur fewer medical expenses. Silver plans often strike a balance between coverage and cost, with lower monthly rates than Gold plans.
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Frequently asked questions
You can shop for a health plan through Get Covered New Jersey. You can compare plans and prices, and find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your costs.
The cheapest health insurance plan in New Jersey is the Horizon Advantage EPO Essentials offered by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, at a monthly cost of $319. Horizon BCBS also offers the cheapest health insurance in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth.
Catastrophic plans are usually the cheapest in terms of premiums but have very high out-of-pocket maximums. These plans are designed for young adults under 30 or people with a hardship exemption. Bronze plans are also mentioned as a good option for those who are generally healthy and don't expect to need frequent medical care.
Eligibility for cheap health insurance in New Jersey is based on income, family size, and specific criteria such as age, disability, pregnancy, or having dependents under 18. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to life events like getting married, having a baby, or losing other health coverage. Additionally, nearly free coverage is available year-round for residents at certain income levels (up to $30,120 for an individual or $62,400 for a family of four for 2025).
