Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Important Changes for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period
The federal government has made changes that significantly impact all Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces, including Get Covered New Jersey. These federal updates affect 2026 health insurance plans and the upcoming Open Enrollment Period, which runs November 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026.
Since 2021, the federal government provided increased financial help to Marketplace consumers through enhanced premium tax credits. Many New Jerseyans qualified for record levels of financial help. Unless Congress acts and extends the enhanced premium tax credits, this increased financial help will end on December 31, 2025.
While financial help will still be available next year, many enrollees will receive less than they did before, resulting in higher premiums for most health insurance plans in 2026.
Five insurance companies are offering health plans in 2026 through the marketplace: Ambetter from WellCare of New Jersey, AmeriHealth, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare. Aetna coverage is not available through GetCoveredNJ for 2026, as the company decided to stop selling marketplace plans nationally including in New Jersey. Consumers who had Aetna plans in 2025 should shop for a plan with the providers and services they use. Aetna consumers should update their applications and choose their plan during the Open Enrollment period.
NOTE: If you are currently enrolled through Get Covered New Jersey, your health insurance premiums for the remainder of 2025 will stay the same.
Additional information about the impact of expiring premium tax credits on Get Covered New Jersey consumers can be found below, which include press releases issued by the Department.
Press Release: NJ Department of Banking and Insurance Releases Final Health Insurance Rates for the Individual Market for Plan Year 2026
Looking Ahead
- Stay informed – Be sure to read any notices or emails you receive from Get Covered New Jersey or your insurance company as the Open Enrollment Period approaches.
- Use your current health plan – Schedule your free annual wellness visit or take care of any health needs you've been delaying. See FAQs to review what your current GetCoveredNJ health plan covers.
- Update your GetCoveredNJ account – Make sure your income, current tax household size, dependent status and mailing address are correct by signing into your account.
- Gather income documentation – recent pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, or prior-year tax returns, etc.
- Shop and compare plans – Use GetCoveredNJ’s Shop and Compare Tool.
- Get Help - consumers are encouraged to use the free assistance available in local communities throughout the state.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Recipients Eligibility
Get Covered New Jersey understands how important access to quality, affordable health insurance is for our residents, and is committed to providing up-to-date and clear information about how federal changes affect our consumers’ ability to access coverage and care. Due to recent rule changes made by the federal government, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are no longer eligible to enroll in coverage through Marketplaces nationwide, including Get Covered New Jersey.
New Jersey Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program
The New Jersey Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program furthers the state's commitment to expanding access to quality, affordable health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace. This program allows uninsured residents to indicate their interest in health coverage for themselves or a household member when filing their tax return.
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 2024 Income Tax Forms, to connect to the Marketplace. After the department receives referral information from the Department of Treasury’s Division of Taxation, GetCoveredNJ will provide the consumer information on coverage options.
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.
Consumers can use the following step-by-step guides:
- Existing Consumer - Enrolling in coverage if you were referred to GetCoveredNJ
- New Consumer - Enrolling in coverage if you were referred to GetCoveredNJ (You received a notice with an Access Code from GetCoveredNJ)
For more information, see New Jersey Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions