New Jersey: Get Covered NJ Record-Setting 2025 Enrollment Continues to Rise; you still have until 1/31 to #GetCovered!

via the NJ Dept. of Banking & Insurance (via email; no link yet):

Residents Urged to Sign up for Health Coverage before Open Enrollment Deadline on January 31

TRENTON — Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, continues to draw record sign ups for 2025 coverage, topping 481,000 in the first nine weeks of the Open Enrollment Period that started on November 1, 2024, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Justin Zimmerman announced today.

The Department also continues to hold pop-up enrollment and assistance events at several New Jersey shopping malls throughout the state in January to boost awareness, provide resources and encourage residents to enroll in 2025 health coverage before the end of Open Enrollment on January 31.

“As Open Enrollment continues, we are seeing more and more consumers seeking quality, affordable health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey,” said Commissioner Zimmerman. “Through our program, consumers have been able to access coverage for themselves and their families, and take advantage of historic state and federal assistance to help offset costs. With only a few weeks left in the Open Enrollment Period, I urge residents in need of health insurance to review their options and sign up today to get the peace of mind that comes with being covered.”

During the first nine weeks of the annual Open Enrollment period from November 1, 2024, to January 2, 2025, a total of 481,151 residents are signed up for 2025 health coverage with Get Covered New Jersey, including 145,330 new or existing consumers who actively selected a plan and 335,821 who were automatically renewed. Overall plan selection totals are up 31 percent compared to this time last year.

For what it's worth, 481,151 is 10,164 (~2.2%) higher than the official enrollment tally reported by CMS as of Dec. 28th, If this is representative, it would mean roughly ~150,000 additional exchange enrollees across the 20 state-based exchanges between 12/29 - 1/02.

At the end of the last Open Enrollment Period on January 31, 2024, a total of 397,942 consumers overall had signed up for 2024 health coverage with Get Covered New Jersey.

That puts New Jersey up nearly 21% over last year's final total, with 18 days left to go.

New Jerseyans continue to receive historic levels of financial help, and the average amount of financial help for 2025 coverage is $596 per person per month or $7,152 a year. Nine in 10 enrolling qualify for financial help, and many can find a plan for $10 a month or less.

Consumers who enrolled by December 31 received coverage beginning January 1; those who enroll by January 31 will have coverage starting on February 1. Open Enrollment is the only time of year residents can enroll in a plan, unless they have a major life event, such as marriage, pregnancy, or a move, or meet certain income requirements that qualify them for a Special Enrollment Period.

Established by Governor Phil Murphy and operated by the Department of Banking and Insurance, plans offered at 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.

New this year, all Get Covered New Jersey health plans cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month as well as cap out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens and asthma inhalers at $25 and $50 respectively for a month’s supply, helping to keep these critical medications affordable for consumers.

In addition, under a new federal government policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients in New Jersey can apply for coverage through Get Covered New Jersey.

In partnership with grant-funded health insurance Navigators, mall pop-up events, which began in November, will continue to assist consumers at the following locations and dates:

• Cumberland Mall, Vineland: January 30.
• Deptford Mall, Deptford Township: January 19, 25.
• Freehold Raceway Mall, January 18, 23.
• Hamilton Mall, Mays Landing: January 22, 31.
• Menlo Park Mall, Edison: January 26.
• Newport Centre, Jersey City: January 16, 30.
• Paramus Park, Paramus: January 17, 29.
• Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville: January 24.
• Willowbrook Mall, Wayne: January 19, 26 and 31.

Consumers can find more information by visiting GetCovered.NJ.gov or:

• Find free local assistance on the Get Covered New Jersey website;  
• Browse plans now and find out if they qualify for financial help with the Shop and Compare Tool. 

Get Covered New Jersey’s Week 9 Open Enrollment Snapshot may be found here.