Does New Jersey use HealthCare.gov?

No. New Jersey runs its own state-based Marketplace called Get Covered New Jersey. Since 2021, New Jerseyans enroll at getcoverednj.gov instead of HealthCare.gov. The plans, subsidies, and rules follow the federal ACA framework, but enrollment, customer service, and certain state-only subsidies are state-operated.

What is the NJ Health Plan Savings program?

New Jersey offers state-funded subsidies on top of federal premium tax credits, called NJ Health Plan Savings. These additional subsidies make plans cheaper for households earning up to 600% of the federal poverty level — significantly more generous than the federal subsidy alone. New Jersey is one of only a handful of states offering this kind of extra help.

Did New Jersey expand Medicaid?

Yes. New Jersey expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualify for NJ FamilyCare (the state's Medicaid program) with no asset test. Children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities have additional eligibility pathways.

What insurance companies sell Obamacare plans in New Jersey?

The major carriers on Get Covered NJ for 2026 include Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, AmeriHealth New Jersey, Aetna CVS Health, Oscar Health, and Wellpoint (formerly Anthem in some markets). Horizon BCBSNJ has the broadest statewide network. Northern New Jersey typically has more carrier options than southern New Jersey.

Can immigrants in New Jersey get Obamacare?

Yes, if they are lawfully present. Green card holders, refugees, asylees, DACA recipients, and other lawfully present immigrants can buy Get Covered NJ plans and qualify for both federal and state subsidies. New Jersey also offers Cover All Kids, which covers all children under 19 regardless of immigration status. Mixed-status families apply together — only eligible members are enrolled.

When is Open Enrollment in New Jersey?

Get Covered NJ has historically extended Open Enrollment beyond the federal calendar. For 2026 coverage, Get Covered NJ Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026. NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid and CHIP) accepts applications year-round.

Obamacare New Jersey 2026: Get Covered NJ Plans & Costs Guide

Q: How many New Jerseyans have Obamacare plans?

About 500,000 New Jerseyans were enrolled in Get Covered NJ plans for the 2024 coverage year, plus roughly 1.7 million in NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid and CHIP). Hispanic enrollment is especially strong in Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union, and Middlesex counties.

Q: How much does Obamacare cost in New Jersey?

After federal and state subsidies, the average Get Covered NJ enrollee paid roughly $90 to $150 per month in 2025. Thanks to NJ Health Plan Savings, many enrollees with income up to 600% FPL receive extra help that brings premiums down further. A 35-year-old in Newark earning $40,000 typically sees Silver plans for $50 to $150 per month.

Obamacare in New Jersey explained: Get Covered NJ plans, top carriers, real costs with subsidies, NJ FamilyCare, Hispanic enrollment in Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth.

Last updated: May 11, 2026

New Jersey runs its own state-based Marketplace — Get Covered New Jersey — and adds state-funded subsidies on top of the federal ones. About 500,000 New Jerseyans were enrolled in Get Covered NJ Marketplace plans for 2024, plus roughly 1.7 million in NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid and CHIP). For Hispanic and immigrant families in Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth, Jersey City, and across the state, New Jersey is one of the more affordable places in the country to enroll.

If you live in New Jersey, this guide explains what plans are available through Get Covered NJ, what they actually cost after state and federal subsidies, and how to enroll.

How Obamacare works in New Jersey

Since 2021, New Jersey has run its own Marketplace at Get Covered NJ instead of using HealthCare.gov. The state took over to gain more control over enrollment, outreach, and state-funded subsidies.

The basic flow:

Enter your zip code, household size, and estimated 2026 income at GetCoveredNJ.gov or with a licensed agent.
The site checks NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid/CHIP) first. If you do not qualify, it shows Marketplace plans with both federal and state subsidies applied.
Compare plans by premium, deductible, network, and the carriers in your county.
Pick one and enroll. Coverage starts the first of the next month.

New Jersey expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults up to 138% FPL qualify for NJ FamilyCare. Children and pregnant women have higher income thresholds.

New Jersey has state subsidies on top of federal ones. Talk to a licensed NJ agent — free, Spanish available.

NJ Health Plan Savings — extra state subsidies

New Jersey is one of a small number of states that funds additional state-level subsidies on top of the federal Premium Tax Credit. The program is called NJ Health Plan Savings.

Key features:

Additional financial help for households earning up to 600% of the federal poverty level (~$90,000 single, ~$187,000 family of four)
Stacks on top of the federal Premium Tax Credit — you do not have to choose
Automatically applied when you enroll through Get Covered NJ
Especially valuable for middle-income households that would otherwise see smaller federal subsidies

For a family of four earning $100,000, NJ Health Plan Savings might cut $100 to $300 per month off the post-federal-subsidy premium. The math varies by age and county.

This is a big reason New Jersey enrollment has grown faster than national averages since 2021.

Hispanic enrollment in New Jersey

New Jersey has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the country — about 22% of New Jerseyans identify as Hispanic or Latino. The Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican, Cuban, Ecuadorian, Colombian, and Peruvian communities are concentrated in:

Essex County / Newark (~22% Hispanic) — Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican
Hudson County / Jersey City, Union City (~42% Hispanic) — Cuban, Dominican, Ecuadorian
Passaic County / Paterson, Passaic (~44% Hispanic) — Dominican, Peruvian
Union County / Elizabeth, Plainfield (~33% Hispanic) — Cuban, Salvadoran, Colombian
Middlesex County / Perth Amboy, New Brunswick (~22% Hispanic) — Dominican, Mexican
Camden County — growing Puerto Rican and Mexican populations

Spanish-language enrollment assistance is widely available through Get Covered NJ Navigators, licensed agents, FQHCs, and community organizations like Wind of the Spirit and the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

Top carriers in New Jersey (2026)

The major insurance companies offering plans on Get Covered NJ for 2026 include:

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey — broadest statewide network
AmeriHealth New Jersey — competitive statewide
Aetna CVS Health — selective NJ counties
Oscar Health — popular in Northern NJ
Wellpoint (formerly Anthem in some markets)

Northern New Jersey (Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic) typically has more carrier options than Southern New Jersey. Horizon BCBSNJ has the most extensive provider network statewide.

How much does Obamacare cost in New Jersey?

Real numbers from Get Covered NJ data and KFF:

Average Get Covered NJ enrollee paid $90 to $150 per month in 2025 after subsidies.
Many enrollees with income up to 600% FPL receive extra state subsidies that reduce premiums further.
About 90% of enrollees received the federal Premium Tax Credit, with many also receiving NJ Health Plan Savings.

Sample illustrations for 2026:

35-year-old in Newark, single, $40,000 income: Silver plan typically $50 to $150/month
45-year-old in Jersey City, single, $55,000 income: Silver plan typically $150 to $280/month
Family of 4 in Paterson, $70,000 income: Silver plan typically $0 to $200/month
Family of 4 in Elizabeth, $100,000 income: Silver plan typically $300 to $600/month (with NJ state subsidies)
Couple, both 55, in Edison, $90,000 income: Silver plan typically $400 to $700/month

Get your real New Jersey number. Free quote from a licensed agent.

NJ FamilyCare — Medicaid and CHIP

NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey’s combined Medicaid and CHIP program:

Adults up to 138% FPL qualify with no asset test
Pregnant women up to 205% FPL for pregnancy-related care
Children up to 355% FPL — one of the more generous CHIP programs
People with disabilities have additional eligibility pathways

A program called Cover All Kids extends coverage to all New Jersey children under 19, regardless of immigration status. This is rare nationally and a major benefit for immigrant families.

NJ FamilyCare accepts applications year-round through Get Covered NJ or directly through njfamilycare.org.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in New Jersey

Major New Jersey FQHCs include:

Newark Community Health Centers (Newark)
North Hudson Community Action Corporation (Hudson County)
CompleteCare Health Network (Southern NJ)
Eric B. Chandler Health Center (New Brunswick)
Henry J. Austin Health Center (Trenton)
Jewish Renaissance Medical Center (Perth Amboy)
Project H.O.P.E. (Camden)

Search the HRSA Find a Health Center tool for FQHCs near your zip code.

Immigrant eligibility in New Jersey

New Jersey has some of the more expansive coverage options for immigrants:

Lawfully present immigrants qualify for Get Covered NJ Marketplace plans and both federal and state subsidies from day one.
DACA recipients qualify for Marketplace plans.
Cover All Kids extends coverage to all children under 19 regardless of immigration status.
Pregnant women qualify for prenatal NJ FamilyCare regardless of immigration status in many cases.
Mixed-status families apply together — only eligible members are enrolled.

Get Covered NJ does not share immigration information with ICE. Federal and state law protect this.

If you do not have a Social Security Number but are lawfully present, you can still apply using your immigration document numbers. Read our guide on applying without an SSN.

When to enroll in New Jersey

Get Covered NJ has historically extended Open Enrollment beyond the federal calendar:

Open Enrollment 2026: November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026
NJ FamilyCare: Year-round, no Open Enrollment window required
Special Enrollment Periods available year-round for qualifying life events

Qualifying life events: loss of other coverage, marriage, birth or adoption, moving zip codes, US citizenship, significant income change.

How to apply for Obamacare in New Jersey

Four routes:

Get Covered NJ directly at getcoverednj.gov — free, official, English and Spanish
A licensed agent or broker — free to you, paid by the insurer, what Nexus Insurance provides
A state-certified Navigator — non-commercial, available in every county
In-person at a Get Covered NJ Assistor site

What you need:

Names, dates of birth, and SSNs (or immigration document numbers) for everyone applying
Estimated 2026 household income
Information about any current insurance
Employer information if anyone has a job offer of coverage

Ready to enroll? Get a free quote from a New Jersey licensed agent. Spanish available.

Common New Jersey-specific questions

“I am self-employed in New Jersey — can I get Obamacare?” Yes. The Marketplace uses estimated annual income. Self-employed, freelancers, and gig workers all qualify. NJ Health Plan Savings can make plans much more affordable at middle income.

“My employer offers insurance but it is too expensive.” If your employer’s self-only plan would cost more than 9.12% of your household income in 2026, you may qualify for a subsidy through Get Covered NJ instead.

“My income is above 400% FPL — can I still get help?” Yes. NJ Health Plan Savings extends help to 600% FPL, and federal subsidies still apply if your premium would otherwise exceed 8.5% of income.

“I have a pre-existing condition.” Cannot be used against you. Federal law since 2014.

Cross-references

Last updated: May 12, 2026. Reviewed by a licensed insurance agent.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Insurance products vary by state and individual circumstances. Always speak with a licensed insurance agent for guidance specific to your situation. Nexus Insurance partners with US-licensed agents serving New Jersey residents in English and Spanish. Contact us for a free quote.