New Jersey issues final 2024 Open Enrollment Period total: 398K, up 16% y/y

via the NJ Dept. of Banking & Insurance:

Governor Murphy and Acting Commissioner Zimmerman Announce Record-Breaking 397K People Signed Up for Health Insurance Through Get Covered New Jersey During Open Enrollment

• Enrollment Up 61% Since the Murphy Administration Assumed Operation of the Health Insurance Exchange
• Residents with a Qualifying Life Event or Who Meet Certain Income Levels Still Have Options to Get Covered

TRENTON —Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman today announced that more than 397,000 New Jerseyans signed up for health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey during the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period, marking another year of historic enrollment in New Jersey.

The headline says 397K but it's actually just shy of 398K.

“This year’s record-breaking Open Enrollment Period means that more New Jerseyans than ever before have access to quality, affordable health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Since establishing the marketplace, New Jersey has worked to maximize financial support to reduce monthly health insurance costs —opening the door to comprehensive coverage for hundreds of thousands of residents. These extraordinary enrollment numbers are a reflection of our commitment to providing New Jersey residents with the coverage options to keep them healthy and thriving.”

A total of 397,942 New Jersey residents signed up for health insurance at Get Covered New Jersey, the State’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace, during the Open Enrollment Period from November 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024. This plan year, more consumers signed up for coverage than any previous Open Enrollment, with marketplace enrollment increasing more than 61 percent since the Murphy Administration took over operation in 2020 for plan year 2021. Plan selections have increased by over 150,000 (61%), compared to the 246,426 New Jersey consumers who were enrolled in federal marketplace coverage in plan year 2020.

This year’s record-breaking sign-ups is a 16% increase compared to last year’s Open Enrollment Period including 100,919 new consumers and 60,592 existing consumers who actively selected a plan. During the 2022-2023 Open Enrollment Period a total of 341,901 New Jersey residents signed up for health insurance at Get Covered New Jersey, which at the time was a record high. New Jerseyans enrolling in 2024 coverage continued to receive historic levels of financial assistance, and nine out of 10 residents enrolling qualified for financial help.

“The historic increase in enrollment under the Murphy Administration is evidence of the significant progress made in building a state-based health insurance marketplace tailored to the needs of New Jerseyans,” said Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman. “Residents have access to expanded plan options with record savings through Get Covered New Jersey thanks to dedicated state funding and expanded federal tax credits. It is clear that the marketplace is serving a critical purpose and meeting its intended goal of providing New Jerseyans with the quality, affordable health insurance they deserve.” 

The two years of unprecedented number of signups follows policy actions at the state and federal levels to significantly increase and expand financial help to boost affordability of quality, comprehensive health insurance.

The average amount of financial help received for 2024 coverage is at a record high of $566 per person per month, or $6,792 per person per year. 

Of those receiving financial help in New Jersey, 141,303 enrollees (39% of those receiving financial help) pay $10 or less per month for coverage. Of that population, the number of people benefiting from $0 premiums for 2024 coverage is 123,103 (or 31% of those receiving financial help) as of January 31st, 2024. 

Since taking over the marketplace in 2020, the Murphy Administration has expanded the Open Enrollment Period to three months, from the six-week window available under the previous federal administration. The Murphy Administration also began offering state subsidies called New Jersey Health Plan Savings, expanded plan options by doubling the number of health carriers and increased investments in outreach and trained experts who provide free, unbiased enrollment assistance to residents in the community. This year, the department invested $5 million in 26 Navigators – local community organizations providing free enrollment assistance to residents, up from $400,000 in federal funding for just one Navigator under the federal government in 2019. Navigators provide help to residents by phone, virtually or in person.

Open Enrollment happens once a year, from November 1 to January 31. It is typically the only time residents without health insurance through an employer, or other program such as Medicaid or Medicare, can enroll in coverage unless they have a qualifying life event or meet certain income levels. Qualifying life events include, but are not limited to, pregnancy, marriage, the loss of health coverage, moving, or the birth or adoption of a child. The Expanded Access Special Enrollment Period allows qualifying consumers with an annual household income of up to 200% of the federal poverty level (up to $ 29,160 for an individual or $ $60,000 for a family of four) to enroll in free or nearly free health coverage through GetCovered.NJ.gov throughout the year.

For those who no longer qualify for NJ FamilyCare because their income is too high, they may be eligible to obtain health coverage through Get Covered New Jersey and may be able to get help paying for premiums. The Department of Banking and Insurance and the Department of Human Services are working together to help connect individuals who are no longer eligible for NJ FamilyCare to health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey.

All plans offered through GetCovered.NJ.gov cover preventive services, emergency services, prescription drugs, prenatal and pediatric care, and more, and no one can be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.

In New Jersey, there remains a requirement to have health coverage. Residents who do not qualify for an exemption from the Shared Responsibility Payment will pay a penalty at tax time.

Residents can learn more at GetCovered.NJ.gov, find free local assistance on the Get Covered New Jersey website, and browse plans now and see if they qualify for financial help with the Shop and Compare Tool.

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