TRENTON — With the December 31 deadline for coverage at the start of the new year approaching at Get Covered New Jersey, the State’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is again conducting outreach in malls and, new this year, supermarkets throughout New Jersey with trained professionals on hand to provide critical assistance in helping residents enroll in a quality, affordable health plan.
Open Enrollment, which began November 1 and runs through January 31, is the only time of year residents can enroll in a plan, unless they have a major life event that qualifies them for a Special Enrollment Period, such as marriage, pregnancy, or a move. Consumers are encouraged to enroll by December 31 to secure January 1 coverage. Those who enroll in January will have coverage begin on February 1.
Established by the Murphy Administration, Get Covered New Jersey is where individuals and families who do not have health insurance through an employer or other program, such as Medicaid or Medicare, can easily shop for and buy health insurance.
Get Covered New Jersey is the only place residents can get financial help for health coverage, and eight in 10 enrollees will qualify for savings.
“Get Covered New Jersey is here to help residents navigate federal changes that are affecting marketplaces this year, including Get Covered New Jersey, and the consumers who rely on marketplaces for coverage. It is especially important for consumers to shop and compare plans to find the best options for them,” said Commissioner Justin Zimmerman. “Our network of navigators, who are trained professionals, are ready to meet people where they are in the community, including in shopping malls and grocery stores, to provide assistance and help residents enroll in coverage.”
In addition to the outreach efforts, Get Covered New Jersey consumers are encouraged to use the free assistance available in local communities from trained Navigators and Brokers throughout the state by visiting the “We Can Help” section at GetCovered.NJ.gov.
The Department awarded $5 million in grant funding to 30 community organizations to serve as Navigators, providing assistance in helping current enrollees and connecting uninsured New Jersey residents to health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey. Each organization is able to assist residents in-person and remotely, and perform year-round outreach and education for 2026 coverage, including before and during the Open Enrollment Period.
The Department, along with partnering Navigators, will be at the following locations starting in December through January, including December 31 hours to enable coverage starting January 1:
- Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill: December 30; January 17
- Deptford Mall, Deptford Township: December 28; January 30
- Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold: December 20, 29; Jan. 23, 25
- Menlo Park Mall, Edison: December 20, 31; Jan. 20, 31
- Newport Centre, Jersey City: December 19, 29; Jan. 11, 21
- Ocean County Mall, Toms River: December 14, 18, 28; Jan. 29
- Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrence Township: December 13, 30; Jan. 24, 29
- Rockaway Townsquare, Rockaway: December 4, 27; Jan. 18, 22
- Willowbrook Mall, Wayne: December 5, 21 , 31; Jan. 17, 28, 31
- ShopRite, Absecon: December 6; Jan. 14, 25, 27
- ShopRite, Garwood: December 2, 6; Jan. 15, 18
- ShopRite, West Orange: December 3, 7; Jan. 16, 30
- SuperFresh, Clifton: Dec. 3, 17
Follow @GetCoveredNJ on Facebook or X for more information on outreach events.
In addition to assistance from trained Navigators, free help is also available from New Jersey-licensed brokers who are trained and certified by Get Covered New Jersey. Brokers can walk consumers through their health insurance options and are required to act in a consumer’s best interest. Consumers can also use Get Covered New Jersey’s shop and compare tool to evaluate plans and pricing.
In 2025, New Jersey saw a record 513,217 residents enrolled in a health plan through Get Covered New Jersey – a 108% increase in enrollment since the State first launched the marketplace in 2020.
Get Covered New Jersey provides residents with quality, affordable health coverage, enabling them to access a wide range of health care services to keep themselves and their families healthy. Get Covered New Jersey offers federal and state financial help to qualifying residents to help lower their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
Federal enhanced premium tax credits, which have helped make health insurance plans more affordable for even more people, have not yet been extended by Congress and are set to expire at the end of the 2025 calendar year and will not be available for 2026. Financial help will remain available for eligible enrollees. However, as a result of Congressional inaction, New Jersey is expected to lose more than half a billion dollars in enhanced premium tax credits, and over 466,000 New Jerseyans – 91 percent of Get Covered New Jersey consumers – are expected to see premium increases.
The Department remains ready to act as quickly as possible, at any time, if and when Congress takes action to extend the enhanced premium tax credits.
“New Jerseyans should not wait to enroll in a plan. In order to have coverage by January 1, consumers must enroll by December 31. We encourage residents to take advantage of the free statewide help available, whether it be at one of our outreach events, or connecting with a navigator or broker in their community in-person, virtually, or on the phone,” said Commissioner Zimmerman.
New Jersey continues to offer state subsidies, called New Jersey Health Plan Savings, for eligible enrollees. The Department is estimated to provide $215 million in 2026 to support state subsidies, which it implemented when Get Covered New Jersey launched in 2020, providing greater affordability in the market.
Health plans offered through GetCovered.NJ.gov cover preventive services, emergency services, prescription drugs, prenatal and pediatric care, and more. No one can be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
ABOUT GET COVERED NEW JERSEY
Get Covered New Jersey is the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, operated by the New Jersey 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 was established by state law and created by New Jersey, for New Jersey. For more information, visit GetCovered.NJ.gov.
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