When is open enrollment for Get Covered NJ?
Open enrollment for Get Covered NJ runs Nov 1 to Jan 31. The date that usually matters most for a January 1 start is December 31. After that, January enrollments typically begin February 1. If you have a qualifying life event, a Special Enrollment Period may open outside those dates.
Also see our hub: New Jersey health insurance help.
Get Covered NJ open enrollment FAQ
When is open enrollment for Get Covered NJ?
November 1 through January 31. Enroll by December 31 for January 1 coverage when that deadline applies.
Is Get Covered NJ the same as HealthCare.gov?
No. New Jersey uses its own Marketplace, Get Covered NJ. Residents enroll there (not on HealthCare.gov) for most ACA plans.
Can a broker help me enroll at no cost to me?
Yes. A certified NJ broker can help you compare plans and enroll. Our help is at no cost to you; if you enroll, the insurance company may pay us.
New Jersey plays by its own open enrollment calendar. The state runs its own marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey (GetCoveredNJ), so New Jersey residents do not shop for individual plans on HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment runs November 1 to January 31, and the cutoff for a January 1 start is December 31, two weeks later than New York and the federal Marketplace. This guide covers the dates, the steps, and where NJ FamilyCare and Medicare fit, whether you live in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Edison, Trenton, Camden, Toms River, or along the Shore.
This article is educational. Instant Health Help is a licensed health insurance agency, and our agent, Lobsang Rivas, holds an active non-resident health insurance license in New Jersey. We are not Get Covered New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI), NJ FamilyCare, or an insurance company. Our agent is certified with Get Covered New Jersey: get a quote first, then we help you enroll through GetCoveredNJ. Enrollment is completed with GetCoveredNJ, not instantly online. You can also apply on your own or with its official local assistance. We do not quote prices or name plans in this article. Check the official details on the GetCoveredNJ FAQ.
The short answer
- New Jersey uses Get Covered New Jersey, not HealthCare.gov.
- Open enrollment runs November 1 to January 31.
- Enroll by December 31 for coverage starting January 1. Enroll in January and coverage starts February 1.
- NJ FamilyCare, the state’s publicly funded health program, is not limited to open enrollment for people who qualify.
- Medicare has its own calendar, October 15 to December 7.
Get Covered New Jersey open enrollment dates
| If you enroll | Coverage starts |
|---|---|
| November 1 to December 31 | January 1 |
| January 1 to January 31 | February 1 |
DOBI announced the November 1 to January 31 window, and the GetCoveredNJ FAQ confirms the December 31 and January cutoffs. After January 31, you can generally enroll only with a Special Enrollment Period after a qualifying life event, a state-designated Special Enrollment Period, or if you qualify for NJ FamilyCare.
How New Jersey differs from its neighbors
| New Jersey | New York | HealthCare.gov states | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you enroll | Get Covered New Jersey | NY State of Health | HealthCare.gov |
| Deadline for a January 1 start | December 31 | December 15 | December 15 |
| Open enrollment ends | January 31 | January 31 | January 15 |
If you work in New York or Pennsylvania but live in New Jersey, you still use GetCoveredNJ, because where you live decides your marketplace.
Steps to get ready
- Make or find your GetCoveredNJ account. The FAQ explains that new accounts get an access code by email from noreply@getcovered.nj.gov. The Customer Call Center is 1-833-677-1010.
- List everyone in your tax household with birth dates and Social Security numbers for those who have them.
- Estimate next year’s income, including wages and net self-employment income.
- Review your eligibility results. GetCoveredNJ says federal changes may affect eligibility, benefits, and costs, so read your results closely even if you are renewing.
- Check your doctors and prescriptions against each plan’s network and drug list.
- Enroll by December 31 if you want coverage on January 1.
NJ FamilyCare
NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey’s publicly funded health insurance program. You can learn on GetCoveredNJ whether you might qualify, and NJ FamilyCare enrollment is not limited to open enrollment. We do not list eligibility rules here. The state decides who qualifies.
Turning 65 or already on Medicare in New Jersey?
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 nationwide, and changes take effect January 1. This is when you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or drug plans. If you or a family member is getting close to Medicare, plan when your GetCoveredNJ coverage should end, and report the new coverage the month before it begins, as the GetCoveredNJ FAQ advises. Medicare is where we can help New Jersey residents directly.
Frequently asked questions
When is open enrollment in New Jersey?
November 1 through January 31 on Get Covered New Jersey. Enroll by December 31 for coverage starting January 1.
Is the New Jersey deadline really December 31?
Yes, for a January 1 start, according to the GetCoveredNJ FAQ. That differs from the December 15 deadline in New York and HealthCare.gov states.
Can I use HealthCare.gov in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey residents use Get Covered New Jersey.
Can you help me enroll in a GetCoveredNJ plan?
Yes. Get a quote first, then we help you enroll through GetCoveredNJ by phone or online (enrollment is completed with GetCoveredNJ, so it is not instant). We also help New Jersey residents with Medicare. See our New Jersey health insurance help page for what we offer.
How Instant Health Help can help
We explain New Jersey’s options in plain English or Spanish. Get a quote on Get Covered New Jersey plans, then we help you enroll through GetCoveredNJ; we also work directly with people who have, or are about to have, Medicare.
Have questions before December 31?
Write down who in your household needs coverage and whether anyone is turning 65 soon, and we will talk it through with you.
Call (321) 315-0054 | agent@inshh.com
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer 489 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.