Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Protecting your privacy is important to us.  We are telling you about our privacy policy, so you know what information we collect, why we collect it, and what we do with it.  This privacy policy is for Get Covered New Jersey, referred to as GetCoveredNJ throughout this notice.  GetCoveredNJ is operated by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.  This privacy policy aligns with the State of New Jersey Privacy Notice (https://www.nj.gov/nj/privacy.html).    

GetCoveredNJ does not collect name, contact information, Social Security number or other similar information unless you choose to provide it.  We do collect other limited information automatically from visitors who read, browse or download information from our site.  We do this so we can understand how the site is being used and how we can make it more helpful. Go to the Types of information we collect section below for more information.  

Personally Identifiable Information (PII), defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, refers to information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity such as their name, Social Security number, biometric records, etc. alone or when combined with other personal or identifying information which is linked or linkable to a specific individual such as date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, etc.

GetCoveredNJ collects PII when you create a user account, fill out an application for health care coverage, or use other tools on getcovered.nj.gov (such as identity verification). This information is collected to provide the services GetCoveredNJ is designed to offer – to compare health insurance plans based on costs, benefits, and other important features; to determine eligibility for health coverage and cost-sharing reductions; to choose a plan; and to enroll in coverage. Information that you provide is never sold or given away to any unauthorized parties.

• Types of information we collect
• How GetCoveredNJ uses information collected on GetCovered.NJ.gov
• How GetCoveredNJ uses cookies and other technologies
• How GetCoveredNJ protects your information
• How long GetCoveredNJ keeps data and how it is accessed
• Privacy and Children
• Links to other sites
• Authority to collect

Information which is automatically collected:
Certain information about your visit can be collected when you browse websites. When you browse GetCovered.NJ.gov, we, and in some cases our third-party service providers, can collect the following types of information about your visit, including:

• Domain (for example, comcast.net, if you are using a Comcast account) from which you accessed the Internet
• IP address (an IP or internet protocol address is a number that is automatically assigned to a device connected to the Web)
• Approximate geographic location based on the IP address of the user’s local system
• Operating system (which is software that directs a computer’s basic functions such as executing programs and managing storage) for the device that you are using and information about the browser you used when visiting the site
• Date and time of your visit
• Pages you visited
• Address of the website that connected you to GetCovered.NJ.gov (such as google.com or bing.com)
• Device type (desktop computer, tablet, or type of mobile device)
• Screen resolution
• Browser language
• Time spent on a page
• Scroll depth – the measure of how much a web page was viewed
• User events (e.g. clicking a button)

We use this information to measure the number of visitors to our site and its various sections, to help make our site more useful to visitors, and to improve our public education and outreach through digital advertising. Also, this information is sometimes used to personalize the content we show to you on third-party sites.

Information which you may provide:

When you request information
We collect information including your email address or phone number to communicate with you. We use this information to provide you with information. 

When you apply for health coverage
To establish an account on GetCovered.NJ.gov, we collect information such as your first and last name, your email address, and your responses to questions used for password reset. We use this information to establish and maintain your account to login and utilize GetCovered.NJ.gov. Then, when you begin the application process, we collect information from you that is used to verify your identity. GetCoveredNJ uses third parties such as Experian to verify the information you disclose as part of this identity proofing and authentication process.

On GetCovered.NJ.gov, we provide a streamlined application that allows you to apply for affordable health coverage. When you apply, GetCoveredNJ collects personally identifiable information (PII) about you and is authorized to maintain a record of the information related to your application.

After you complete an application, some of your application information may be disclosed to other state and federal agencies so that your eligibility for affordable health coverage can be determined. These organizations may include the Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DoD)/TRICARE, and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), NJ FamilyCare (the State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agency), and Equifax Workforce Solutions, with which GetCoveredNJ engages in an electronic verification process authorized by the Affordable Care Act.  Some of your information may also be verified against data provided to GetCoveredNJ by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Peace Corps, if necessary, to verify whether you are eligible for or enrolled in Minimum Essential Coverage.  Some of your information may also be shared with employer(s) listed on your application.

When you contact us or file an appeal
GetCoveredNJ’s Consumer Assistance Center can be reached at 1-833-677-1010. Calls to or from the Consumer Assistance Center are recorded and information about calls are maintained. If GetCoveredNJ’s Consumer Assistance Center is reaching out to a consumer, either the number, 1-833-677-1010, or the name, “Get Covered New Jersey” will show as the caller. If you receive a text message, it will come from the number 609-359-0048, and the body of the message will identify “GetCoveredNJ.”

If you file an appeal, you will provide us with information about your appeal. We will use this information to resolve your appeal and help determine eligibility for financial help or coverage. Appeals that are referred to the Office of Administrative Law or another court or hearing officer will have all eligibility, enrollment, and appeal-related information shared with those entities.

Do I have to give my Personal Information/Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to GetCoveredNJ?
No, you do not have to give PII to GetCoveredNJ. However, not sharing it may prevent you from enrolling in health or dental insurance, and may prevent GetCoveredNJ from determining your eligibility for assistance in paying for health insurance coverage or determining your eligibility for benefits or programs.

When processing your application after you apply for health coverage:
We use the application information you choose to provide to determine eligibility for enrollment in a qualified health plan, advance premium tax credits, cost sharing reductions, NJ Health Plan Savings and assess eligibility for NJ FamilyCare coverage. We also verify the information provided on the application. We may check your information at a later time to make sure your eligibility is up to date and at renewal time to update your eligibility for the next year. We will communicate with you or your authorized representative and provide the information to the health plan you select so that the health insurance company can enroll you in a qualified health plan.  If you designate an agent, broker, navigator or certified application counselor to help with your application, we will communicate with your designated broker or assister regarding your applications and enrollments.

Please see the NJ FamilyCare Privacy Notice for additional information.

When sending you messages:
GetCoveredNJ uses the email address or mobile phone number you provide us with or provided by NJ FamilyCare to send emails or SMS messages related to your GetCoveredNJ coverage. GetCoveredNJ may use the phone number you provide to call you about your eligibility or coverage.

When calling you about your application, coverage or account:
GetCoveredNJ uses the phone number you provided to communicate important information about your application or account.  Periodically, you may receive pre-recorded phone calls from GetCoveredNJ.  We may call you to update your account or enrollment or to alert you about activities at GetCoveredNJ. We may call you if GetCoveredNJ needs more information to verify or add to information you entered on your application about your income, citizenship, lawful presence status, identity or something else.  We do this when some information you provided does not match our records (note: this is called a data matching issue or inconsistency).  GetCoveredNJ will not end health insurance or change financial help based on health insurance data matching issues without giving you advance notice.  You may get warning notices and sometimes a reminder phone call, text message, or an email before coverage ends or your financial help changes because of a data matching issue.  Your health insurers may also remind you about the data matching issue.  We may also call or text you if your insurance company is no longer offering your plan through GetCoveredNJ. We may contact you because of a complaint you made to a State or federal agency.

When receiving a referral application: 
We can receive referrals from third parties such as from NJ FamilyCare (the State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)) if you applied for coverage with NJ FamilyCare or from NJ Treasury if you indicated an interest in the Easy Enrollment Health Insurance program.

When NJ FamilyCare transfers a health coverage application for you and your household members to GetCoveredNJ, it may be due to ineligibility for NJ FamilyCare’s Medicaid/CHIP coverage. However, you may be eligible for GetCoveredNJ coverage. GetCoveredNJ processes the information we get to help you apply for and enroll in coverage. GetCoveredNJ may send you a letter and conduct outreach by phone or send you email or SMS text messages based on the communication preferences included in your transferred application, if any. The communication is to let you know we've gotten your application and to help you transition to GetCoveredNJ and find out what you may be eligible for.

While filing your New Jersey taxes you may indicate an interest in health coverage through the NJ-EZ Enroll (Easy Enrollment Health Insurance) form. The information you enter in that Easy Enrollment form is transferred to GetCoveredNJ. GetCoveredNJ may send you a letter and conduct outreach by phone or send you email, or SMS text messages based on the communication preferences included in your transferred application, if any. The communication is to let you know we've gotten your referral application and to help you find out what you may be eligible for.

In addition, GetCoveredNJ may share your contact information from your transferred application with enrollment assistance contractors, such as Navigators, for the purposes of conducting outreach on behalf of GetCoveredNJ and to help you with next steps in completing your GetCoveredNJ application and enrolling in coverage, if eligible. GetCoveredNJ assisters may use your contact information to reach out to you and offer help with applying and enrolling in coverage. You don't have to work with the assister who may contact you. You can use the GetCovered.NJ.gov website platform, call the Consumer Assistance Center (1-833-677-1010), use Find Local Assistance to choose a different assister or to find an agent/broker to complete your GetCoveredNJ application and enroll in coverage. If you are contacted and want to confirm the person is certified and registered with GetCoveredNJ, you can call the Consumer Assistance Center for assistance at 1-833-677-1010, TTY 711.

When conducting surveys and improving services:
GetCoveredNJ may use online surveys to collect opinions and feedback.  You don’t have to answer these questions.  If you do answer these questions, do not include any personally identifiable information in your answers.  We analyze and use the information from these surveys to improve the site’s operation and content. This information is only available to GetCoveredNJ and members of the communications and web teams and other designated staff and contractors who require this information to perform their GetCoveredNJ duties. GetCoveredNJ also accepts voluntary consumer testimonials about their GetCoveredNJ experience and may use these, with the consumer’s permission, as part of the GetCoveredNJ program.

When using third-party tools for website analytics:
GetCoveredNJ uses a variety of third-party web tools for web analytics. GetCoveredNJ uses these tools to collect basic information about visits to GetCovered.NJ.gov.  This information is then used to maintain the website including: monitoring site stability, measuring site traffic, optimizing site content, and may help make the site more useful to visitors.

GetCoveredNJ staff analyzes the data collected from these tools.  The reports are available only to GetCoveredNJ managers, teams who implement programs on GetCovered.NJ.gov, members of GetCoveredNJ communications and web teams, and other designated staff and contractors who need this information to perform their duties.

When using third-party tools for outreach through digital advertising:
GetCoveredNJ uses third-party web services to conduct outreach and education through the use of digital advertising. These third-party services may collect information through the use of web beacons that are located on our pages. A web beacon is a see-through graphic image (usually 1 pixel x 1 pixel) that is placed on a web page and, in combination with a “cookie” (a packet of information unique to your browser, that allows the server to “remember” specific information about your visit).

We use web beacons to tell when a user is redirected to GetCovered.NJ.gov because of an advertisement that we ran on another website that was clicked on or otherwise interacted with (known as “click tracking” or “conversion tracking”) and to better target GetCoveredNJ advertisements (known as “retargeting”) to inform individuals about deadlines and the benefits available through GetCovered.NJ.gov.

GetCoveredNJ uses third-party tools to help deliver advertising. Vendors that operate the third-party tools may also gather information about your visits to third-party sites outside of GetCovered.NJ.gov. However, while GetCoveredNJ doesn't track your individual-level activity on the Internet outside of GetCovered.NJ.gov, our vendors may collect information automatically collected by GetCovered.NJ.gov (not information you provide) and combine it with data they collect elsewhere for targeted advertising purposes. The outreach and education analytics tools provide reports which aggregate data like the number of clicks on advertisements. The reports are available only to GetCoveredNJ managers, teams who implement the insurance affordability programs represented on GetCovered.NJ.gov, members of the GetCovered.NJ.gov communications and web teams, and other designated staff and contractors who need this information to perform their duties.

How GetCoveredNJ uses cookies and other technologies:
When you visit a website, its server may generate a piece of text known as a "cookie" to place on your device. The cookie, which is unique to your browser, allows the server to "remember" specific information about your visit while you are connected. The cookie makes it easier for you to use the dynamic features of web pages. Information that you enter into the application isn't associated with cookies on GetCovered.NJ.gov. 

There are two types of cookies, single session (temporary), and multi-session (persistent). Single session cookies last only as long as your web browser is open. Once you close your browser, the session cookie disappears. Persistent cookies are stored on your device for longer periods. Both types of cookies create an ID that is unique to your device.

• Session cookies: We use session cookies for technical purposes like to allow better navigation through our site. These cookies let our server know that you are continuing a visit to our site. 
• Persistent cookies: We use persistent cookies to understand the differences between new and returning visitors to GetCovered.NJ.gov. Persistent cookies remain on your device between visits to our site until they expire or are removed by the user. We don't use persistent cookies to collect personally identifiable information. GetCoveredNJ does not identify a user by using such technologies.

GetCoveredNJ also uses the following technologies:

• Persistent cookies for digital advertising: Similar to persistent cookies identified above, GetCoveredNJ uses persistent cookies for outreach through digital advertising. These cookies can also be created on third-party sites and remain on your device between visits to our site until they expire or are removed by you. We don't use persistent cookies for outreach to collect personally identifiable information. We don’t identify a user by using such technologies.
• Web beacons for digital advertising: Also referred to as pixels and\or tracking tags – see-through images placed on certain pages of GetCovered.NJ.gov are typically used in conjunction with cookies and aren't stored on your device. When you access these pages, web beacons generate a notice of your visit. 
• Website log files: Are used as an analysis tool and to tell how visitors use GetCovered.NJ.gov, how often they return, and how they navigate through the site.
  
  

Your choices about tracking and data collection:
You can disable cookies in your browser’s Privacy Settings, or you can opt out of tools individually; use this link to get a list of the third-party tools currently being used by GetCovered.NJ.gov with guidance in how to opt out of their use. Because Privacy Settings create a cookie on your browser, disabling or opting out will only be effective on the device and browser you used to make these changes.

Other uses – required by law:
GetCoveredNJ will comply with investigative or legal requests from local, State or federal investigative agencies and as required by law.

GetCoveredNJ is committed to protecting consumer information entrusted with us at GetCoveredNJ. We take reasonable steps and precautions to protect the information you provide us on GetCovered.NJ.gov from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.  If you visit GetCoveredNJ and choose to provide us with personally identifiable information (PII) via phone, paper, or electronic means, we store your personally identifiable information in a record system designed to retrieve information about you by personal identifier (name, home mailing address, phone number, etc.). We will safeguard the information you provide in accordance with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-161 et seq. and other State and federal laws.  If after reviewing this notice you have additional questions, you can write to us at GetCoveredNJ Privacy Office, NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance, P.O. Box 325, Trenton, NJ 08625.

GetCoveredNJ will keep data collected long enough to achieve the specified objective for which it was collected. Once the specified objective is achieved, the data will be retired or destroyed in accordance with published record retention schedules. Most GetCoveredNJ eligibility-related records must be kept for 10 years. These records will be retired or destroyed in accordance with New Jersey record retention schedules and federal retention requirements.

Privacy Complaints:

If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us. If you make a complaint, there will be no retaliation against you and your benefits will not be affected. Complaints should be sent to GetCoveredNJ’s Privacy Officer at: GetCoveredNJ Privacy Office, NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance, P.O. Box 325, Trenton, NJ 08625 (609-940-7509 or GCNJPrivacy@dobi.nj.gov (do not include personally identifiable or confidential information in any email to this email address)). GetCoveredNJ will respond to your complaint within 30 days.

Children’s Online Privacy:

GetCoveredNJ is committed to protecting the privacy of children online. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) governs information gathered online from or about children under the age of 13. The GetCoveredNJ site isn't intended to solicit information of any kind from children under age 13.  If you believe that we have received information from a child under age 13, contact us at 609-940-7509 or GCNJPrivacy@dobi.nj.gov.

GetCoveredNJ may link to other government sites and/or to private organizations (like health care providers). We link to other websites solely for your convenience and education. When you follow a link to an external site, you're leaving GetCovered.NJ.gov and are subject to the external site’s privacy and security policies. Non-government websites might not operate under the same laws, regulations, and policies as government websites. GetCoveredNJ is not responsible for the contents of external web pages and a link to a page does not constitute an endorsement.

45 CFR §155.260 states that health insurance exchanges like GetCoveredNJ may collect personally identifiable information (PII) to determine eligibility for enrollment in qualified health plans and to assess eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP. Get Covered New Jersey will not create, collect, use, or disclose PII for any purposes that are not authorized under this regulation. New Jersey P.L. 2019 c. 141 (N.J.S.A. 17B:27A-57 et seq.) established the state-based health insurance exchange (“SBE”) for the State of New Jersey.