Healthcare Overview

Open Enrollment Periods

Open enrollment for this insurance begins on November 1 of the year prior to the upcoming calendar year and ends on January 31. Learn more about ACA and how to enroll. 

There are several medical assistance programs that are jointly administered and funded by the state and federal government.

• Medicaid is health insurance designed to help those with very limited or no income. 
• NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey's publicly funded health insurance program and includes Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations. This program is geared to help New Jersey’s uninsured children and parents and guardians who fall within certain income criteria. Qualified NJ residents of any age may be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance that covers doctor visits, prescriptions, vision, dental care, mental health, and substance use services and even hospitalization.
• Medicare is health insurance that is available to senior citizens or those who are permanently disabled.

This medical assistance program pays medical bills for certain individuals of any age with low income and limited resources. To be eligible you must be:

• A resident of NJ
• U.S. citizen or qualified alien (most immigrants who arrived after August 22, 1996, are barred from the program for five years)
• Meet specific standards for financial income and resources

To apply for Medicaid, contact your County Board of Social Services.

If you are NOT eligible for Medicaid because you fall above the income requirements, you may be able to get medical benefits through NJ FamilyCare. NJ FamilyCare is for families who do not have available or affordable employer insurance and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance.

Learn more about this program and eligibility requirements on their website or call 800-701-0710 (TTY: 7-1-1). Applications are available online.

Medicare is for senior citizens and those with a disability. If you are 65 years or older; under the age of 65 with certain disabilities or have permanent kidney failure which requires dialysis or a transplant, then you are eligible for Medicare. Open enrollment for Medicare is October 15 to December 7. 

Medicare has two main parts – one that covers hospital costs and another that handles some related expenses.

Part A is hospital insurance and it helps people pay for inpatient hospitalizations, skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care), hospice care, and some home health care.

Part B is medical insurance that people pay a monthly premium for. It helps people pay for doctors' services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary.

Part D is optional prescription drug coverage for all those who have Medicare. Most Part D plans have their own list of which drugs they cover. Plans will include both generic and premium brand drug coverage. 

To enroll in Medicare, contact your local Social Security office, apply online,  or call 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).

In addition to the options noted above, the following health insurance coverage is available to New Jersey residents.

The Individual Health Coverage Program ensures that people without access to employer or government-sponsored healthcare programs can purchase health coverage for themselves and their families from private carriers.

Individuals, regardless of their age or health status, are guaranteed renewable health coverage under standard individual health benefits plans designed by the Individual Health Coverage Program Board.

Learn more about the Individual Health Coverage Program, the current rates, and coverage options.

The Small Employer Health Benefits Program ensures that small employers have access to small group health benefits plans without regard to the occupation of the group or the health status of any of the group's members.

The program restricts carrier use of small group participation requirements, employer contribution requirements, preexisting condition limitation provisions, and factors related to rates for health benefits plans offered to small employers. 

Learn more about insurance coverage options for small employers.