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New Jersey Open Enrollment Nov. 1: Newark Residents Face 19.8% Average 2027 Health Insurance Increase
NEWARK, N.J. — Open enrollment for 2027 health insurance begins Sunday, Nov. 1, giving New Jersey residents an opportunity to compare plans, review premiums and determine whether they qualify for fina
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-11-01T23:57:40.345Z
NEWARK, N.J. — Open enrollment for 2027 health insurance begins Sunday, Nov. 1, giving New Jersey residents an opportunity to compare plans, review premiums and determine whether they qualify for financial assistance.
Residents can enroll through Get Covered New Jersey , the state's official health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 31, 2027 . Consumers who select a plan by Dec. 31 can have coverage begin Jan. 1, while those enrolling by Jan. 31 can have coverage begin Feb. 1.
The enrollment period begins as New Jersey consumers face significantly higher individual market health insurance rates for 2027.
New Jersey individual health insurance rates rise 19.8% The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance reported an average 19.8% rate increase across the state's individual health insurance market for 2027.
Average increases vary significantly by carrier:
AmeriHealth: 17.0% Horizon: 15.3% Oscar: 29.3% UnitedHealthcare: 35.7% Ambetter from WellCare of New Jersey: 20.8% The state's small employer health insurance market is also seeing an average 18.8% increase for 2027.
Actual premium changes will vary by plan, age, location, household size, income and eligibility for financial assistance.
Financial assistance remains available Get Covered New Jersey remains the only place where eligible residents can obtain state subsidies and federal premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage.
New Jersey will continue offering New Jersey Health Plan Savings , a state subsidy available to qualifying households with incomes up to 600% of the federal poverty level .
The majority of residents enrolling through Get Covered New Jersey qualify for some form of financial help, according to the marketplace. Depending on household income, residents may also qualify for free or low cost coverage through NJ FamilyCare .
Enrollment dropped sharply in 2026 New Jersey officials said Marketplace enrollment stood at 434,700 residents as of June 30 , down 74,492 from the 509,192 people enrolled at the end of the previous open enrollment period.
State officials attributed part of that decline to the expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits, which increased costs for some consumers.
What New Jersey residents should check Newark area residents and consumers statewide should compare monthly health insurance premiums, deductibles, out of pocket maximums, prescription drug coverage and whether preferred doctors and hospitals remain in network.
Residents should also update their expected 2027 household income and family information because those details can affect eligibility for premium tax credits and state financial assistance.
Five insurers are offering health plans through Get Covered New Jersey for 2027:
Ambetter from WellCare of New Jersey AmeriHealth Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Oscar UnitedHealthcare New Jersey also maintains a state health coverage requirement. Most residents must maintain minimum essential health coverage, qualify for an exemption or potentially owe a Shared Responsibility Payment when filing their New Jersey income tax return.
Residents can compare 2027 plans, estimate financial assistance and enroll through Get Covered New Jersey . Free enrollment assistance is available statewide through certified Navigators, agents and other enrollment specialists.