TRENTON — Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Justin Zimmerman today announced $5 million in Navigator grant awards to 27 community organizations to provide assistance in connecting uninsured New Jersey residents to health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, during the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period and throughout the year. The 2024-2025 Open Enrollment Period starts November 1.
Grant-funded Navigators will provide free, unbiased outreach, education, and enrollment assistance, in more than 10 languages, to residents shopping for health insurance in addition to helping them apply for financial help.
“Our Administration continues to advance ongoing efforts to improve access to quality, affordable health coverage across the state, based on the fundamental belief that health care is a right and not a privilege,” said Governor Murphy. “Get Covered New Jersey Navigators offer personalized assistance to residents in accessing comprehensive coverage and available financial help through the marketplace. Navigators are trusted resources that help residents understand their coverage options, complete enrollment, and learn more about using their coverage once enrolled.”
A total of 27 community organizations located throughout New Jersey will receive funds to serve as Navigators in assisting residents looking to obtain health insurance coverage. Navigator grants support the work of organizations that conduct public consumer education activities on obtaining health coverage and provide enrollment assistance.
Every organization that serves the role of Navigator will have the ability to assist residents in-person and remotely. Grantee activities will include year-round outreach and education for 2025 coverage, including before and during the Open Enrollment Period.
“Our last Open Enrollment Period saw record numbers enrolled in Get Covered New Jersey – nearly 400,000 New Jersey residents and families signed up for quality, affordable health care coverage. With this investment in the Navigator program and continued historic levels of financial help available for enrollees, we look forward to another successful year,” said Commissioner Zimmerman. “Navigators play an important role in reaching the state’s uninsured residents through outreach and education to ensure that they have access to coverage that fits their needs and budgets. These organizations understand their communities and can tailor their efforts to connect residents to the benefits and peace of mind that health coverage brings and raise awareness of the financial assistance which remains available.”
The Murphy Administration has significantly increased its investment in Navigators since the State began operating the Navigator program in 2019 and has taken numerous actions to improve access to health coverage and increase the amount of financial help residents receive to help lower premiums. The Administration expanded the Open Enrollment Period to three months, from the previous six-week window available under the earlier federal administration. New Jersey began operating as a state-based marketplace on November 1, 2020, under a law (P.L. 2019 c. 141) signed by Governor Murphy.
At the end of last year’s Open Enrollment, nearly 400,000 New Jerseyans signed up for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey, an increase of 61% since the Murphy Administration assumed operation of the marketplace. Residents continue to receive unprecedented levels of financial assistance to help lower the costs of monthly premiums thanks to state and federal support. Nine out of 10 residents enrolling in Get Covered New Jersey qualify for financial help, and many individuals receiving assistance can find a plan at a cost of $10 a month or less.
The following organizations have been awarded grants for the 2024-2025 year under the New Jersey State Navigator Grant Program:
| Navigator Grant Recipient |
Grant Amount |
| Atlanticare |
180,000.00 |
| Bessie Mae Women and Family Health Center |
86,388.00 |
| Center for Family Services |
563,318.00 |
| City of Newark - Department of Health and Community Wellness |
115,000.00 |
| Fulfill |
108,555.71 |
| Health Research and Educational Trust |
468,190.00 |
| HOPES Cap Inc. |
200,000.00 |
| Jefferson Park Ministries |
150,000.00 |
| Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York (KCS) |
150,000.00 |
| Lakewood Resource and Referral Center |
440,000.00 |
| Newark Community Health Centers |
100,000.00 |
| NJ Citizens Action Education Fund |
462,028.00 |
| NJ SHARES |
115,000.00 |
| North Hudson Community Action Corp. |
80,500.00 |
| Ocean Health Initiatives |
61,666.00 |
| Planned Parenthood |
132,599.00 |
| Raritan Bay Area YMCA |
113,000.00 |
| RZ The Flags LLC |
130,000.00 |
| Saint James Health |
200,000.00 |
| Second Street Youth Center |
150,000.00 |
| Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers |
201,500.00 |
| The Family Resource Network |
180,700.00 |
| The Oranges ACA Navigator Project |
70,000.00 |
| United Way of Greater Mercer County |
42,646.00 |
| Urban League of Hudson County |
235,000.00 |
| VietLead |
80,881.00 |
| Zufall Health |
175,000.00 |
| Total |
4,991,971.71 |
Navigator grantees will provide local assistance in various languages at locations across the state. Consumers looking for help can search for a Navigator in their community by going to the “We Can Help” section at GetCovered.NJ.gov.
The grant program is funded by user fees that support the operation of the State Insurance Marketplace. and fund a Navigator program. Organizations that receive funding through the grant program must meet state and federal requirements.
In addition to state-funded Navigators, Certified Application Counselors (CACs) and brokers also will assist consumers with enrollment in health insurance. All Navigators, CACs, and brokers must complete state training and certification to assist consumers with health insurance enrollment in the marketplace. Organizations interested in serving as a Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization, which oversee CACs, and agents and brokers interested in assisting consumers with marketplace coverage can find certification information at GetCovered.NJ.gov under “For Assisters and Brokers.”
The Open Enrollment Period for 2025 coverage at Get Covered New Jersey (GetCovered.NJ.gov) will run from November 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025. |
