TRENTON — New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman today announced that New Jerseyans will have the ability to connect to quality, affordable health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace when filing their 2023 State Income Tax return.
Through the New Jersey Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program, residents without health insurance can indicate their interest in health coverage for themselves or a household member when filing their tax return.
“Get Covered New Jersey has connected hundreds of thousands of individuals to quality, affordable health insurance,” said Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman. “This is an exciting opportunity to help even more New Jersey residents obtain coverage. By allowing taxpayers to indicate their interest in health coverage on 2023 tax returns, we can connect residents to available health plan options and help them get the health coverage they deserve. The department is grateful to the legislative sponsors of the bill who advocated for creating the New Jersey Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program, and for Gov. Murphy’s enactment, which made the program a reality.”
Beginning this year, New Jersey residents can indicate on their State Income Tax Return that they allow GetCoveredNJ to help them obtain coverage and complete the NJ-EZ Enroll Form, which is part of the 2023 Income Tax Forms, to connect to the Marketplace. After the department receives referral information from the Department of Treasury’s Division of Taxation, Get Covered New Jersey will send consumers a welcome notice by mail or email with a unique access code that allows them to access their account, find out if they qualify for financial help and enroll in health insurance. Consumers will have 60 days from the date of that notice to enroll in a health plan.
“Every New Jerseyan deserves access to affordable health insurance,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “Treasury looks forward to working with our partner agencies to fully implement this program and make it easier for uninsured residents and their families to enroll in quality health coverage.”
Under New Jersey’s “no wrong door” approach to health coverage, consumers assessed as likely eligible for Medicaid will be referred to NJ FamilyCare.
“While we have seen record enrollment numbers for the state health insurance marketplace, we know there are still people who remain uninsured despite being eligible for affordable health coverage. Easy Enroll will help connect eligible individuals who are uninsured to life-saving health coverage through GetCoveredNJ or NJ FamilyCare. This is a direct way to bridge the coverage gap, inform New Jerseyans about their coverage options, help people enroll in health insurance and ease access to important health care services,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman.
The department is also working with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to streamline access to Get Covered New Jersey for individuals filing unemployment claims.
“Throughout this administration, we have been encouraged to reimagine the ways in which the public accesses government services, with the goal of reducing jargon, confusion and red tape. Connecting our workers – especially those who are at difficult points in their lives – with affordable health care is a forward-thinking initiative the Labor Department is proud to be a part of,” said Labor Department Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.
In New Jersey, there remains a requirement to have health coverage. The Shared Responsibility Payment, which New Jersey taxpayers are required to pay if they are uninsured, will be waived by the Department of Treasury for any individual who enrolls and maintains coverage. The taxpayer must maintain coverage following enrollment to avoid being responsible for the Shared Responsibility Payment.
“Lowering barriers to enrolling in health insurance will improve coverage rates across the board, and especially for those who are young, have low or seasonal income, speak English as a second language, or face other obstacles to enrolling,” said Brittany Holom-Trundy, Senior Policy Analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP). “With the Easy Enrollment program, state leaders are taking a universally recognized time, tax season, and turning it into a crucial bridge for uninsured residents to get the health coverage they need.”
“The EZ Enrollment program meets New Jerseyans where they are by providing easy access to information uninsured tax filers need in order to take advantage of free, low cost, and subsidized coverage options available to them. This program presents an opportunity to reach out to a significant number of uninsured residents and puts us one step closer to our shared goal of ensuring every New Jerseyan has access to quality, affordable healthcare. We would like to especially thank Senator Teresa Ruiz for championing this program and look forward to continuing to work with our partners, legislators and the Administration to turn that goal into reality,” said New Jersey Citizen Action’s Director of Advocacy and Organizing, Maura Collinsgru.
Governor Murphy signed legislation in 2022 that created the New Jersey Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program to make it easier for residents to obtain health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey.
Sponsors of the legislation include Senators Teresa Ruiz and Nellie Pou in the Senate, and Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight and current state Senator John McKeon, in the Assembly.
For more information on the New Jersey Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program, visit the Get Covered New Jersey website.
ABOUT GET COVERED NEW JERSEY
Get New Jersey is the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, operated by the Department of Banking and Insurance, where New Jerseyans can find quality affordable insurance from private health insurance companies. Get Covered New Jersey is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial help to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that best fits their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for low-cost or free coverage from NJ FamilyCare. Get Covered New Jersey is operated by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. It was established by state law and created by New Jersey, for New Jersey. For more information about Get Covered New Jersey, please visit GetCovered.NJ.gov. |
