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 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. Congress did not extend the enhanced premium tax credits and this increased financial help ended on December 31, 2025.
While financial help will still be available, 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. If consumers who had Aetna plans in 2025 did not select a new plan by mid-December and did not start an application, they were likely automatically enrolled in a similar plan with a new carrier to help avoid a gap in coverage. These consumers should have received two notices from Get Covered New Jersey informing them of any financial help they are eligible for and information on the plan they were enrolled in. Get Covered New Jersey encourages these consumers to log in to their account and confirm they want to keep that plan or select a different one.
Additional information about the impact of the expired 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
Stay Informed
- There’s still time to enroll in a quality, affordable health plan through GetCoveredNJ. Open Enrollment ends January 31, 2026.
- Be sure to read any notices or emails you receive from Get Covered New Jersey or your insurance company.
- 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