We analyzed every 2026 health insurance plan available in New Jersey across five carriers for policyholders at ages 18, 26, 40 and 60. Oscar, AmeriHealth and WellCare are the best health insurance companies in New Jersey for 2026. Oscar's $9,357 average out-of-pocket maximum is $1,427 higher than AmeriHealth's $7,930. For a healthy enrollee who rarely files claims, Oscar wins on monthly cost. For someone managing a chronic condition or planning a procedure, AmeriHealth's lower MOOP ceiling may cost less by year-end. The state also offers state-based subsidies through GetCoveredNJ to make coverage more affordable for eligible residents.
Best Health Insurance in New Jersey (2026)
Updated: July 8, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Oscar leads New Jersey's Silver-tier rankings for 2026 with a $551 average monthly premium for 40-year-olds, the lowest of the five carriers in the state, per MoneyGeek's analysis.
New Jersey has its own individual mandate: residents without coverage pay a state tax penalty. Compare on MOOP, not just premium. Oscar's $551 monthly premium comes with a $9,357 MOOP, while AmeriHealth's $758 premium comes with a $7,930 limit.
Best Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey
Oscar is the best health insurance company in New Jersey. AmeriHealth, WellCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare are our other top alternatives which you can consider. Differences in network size, plan flexibility and out-of-pocket costs affect your total health care spending. Compare carriers on MOOP and deductible, not premium alone, before you enroll.
| Oscar | $551 | $9,357 | $2,050 | 4.7 | Silver 1750 Off Exchange |
| AmeriHealth | $758 | $7,930 | $2,400 | 4.3 | IHC Silver EPO AmeriHealth Advantage 40%/40% |
| WellCare | $630 | $9,740 | $2,000 | 4.3 | Elite Silver $0 Medical Deductible + $0 Virtual 24/7 Care Visits |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $624 | $8,400 | $2,350 | 4.2 | OMNIA Silver Choice |
| UnitedHealthcare | $656 | $9,800 | $2,400 | 3.7 | UHC Silver-X Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) (Off-Exchange Only) |
*Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier plans. Rates vary by age and coverage level.
The difference between the lowest and highest average monthly premium across Silver-tier EPO plans for a 40-year-old is $207, from Oscar's $551 to AmeriHealth's $758. That's a difference of $2,484 per year for the same metal tier. But the cheaper carrier carries a $1,427 higher MOOP. For anyone who uses coverage regularly, that gap costs more annually than the premium savings.
Oscar
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
5/5Affordability
4.7/5Deductible
3.7/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$551Average MOOP
$9,357Average Deductible
$2,050
AmeriHealth
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
4/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$758Average MOOP
$7,930Average Deductible
$2,400
WellCare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
2.7/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$630Average MOOP
$9,740Average Deductible
$2,000
Blue Cross Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$624Average MOOP
$8,400Average Deductible
$2,350
UnitedHealthcare
MoneyGeek Rating
3.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$656Average MOOP
$9,800Average Deductible
$2,400
Best Health Insurance in New Jersey by Category
Most health insurers raise deductibles and MOOP as policyholders age. Oscar applies the same $2,050 deductible and $9,357 MOOP at age 18 and at age 60. For a 60-year-old, that consistency saves money compared to carriers that adjust cost-sharing upward with age.
By Age:
- Teens (18): Oscar EPO ($394 monthly)
- Young adults (26): Oscar EPO ($442 monthly)
- Adults (40): Oscar EPO ($551 monthly)
- Seniors (60): Oscar EPO ($1,171 monthly)
By Network Type (40-year-olds):
- EPO: Oscar leads at $551 monthly with Silver-tier benefits
- HMO: AmeriHealth is the exclusive provider of HMO plans, only available in Gold-tier coverage at an average of $1,266 per month
AmeriHealth is the only carrier offering HMO plans in New Jersey and those plans are only available at the Gold tier. Any New Jersey resident who prefers an HMO for its lower cost-sharing has no Silver-tier or Bronze-tier option. Every other carrier in the state is EPO-only below the Gold tier. At $758 per month, its Silver EPO costs $207 more than Oscar's $551 plan across all age groups. WellCare doesn't appear in the teen or young adult rows, its $630 monthly Silver EPO rate is competitive for 40-year-olds but less so at younger ages where Oscar's premium advantage is larger.
Compare New Jersey Health Insurance Providers
Monthly premiums, deductibles and MOOP vary across New Jersey insurers. Filter by age, metal level, plan type and HSA eligibility to compare costs.
Data filtered by:
EPO
Silver
40
No
| Oscar | $551 | EPO | Silver | $9,357 | $2,050 | 40 | No |
| WellCare | $630 | EPO | Silver | $9,740 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| AmeriHealth | $698 | EPO | Silver | $8,829 | $2,500 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $722 | EPO | Silver | $10,050 | $2,092 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $656 | EPO | Silver | $9,800 | $2,400 | 40 | No |
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in New Jersey
New Jersey's five carriers price the same metal tier differently. These steps narrow the field to the plan that costs you least over a full year.
- 1Assess your health care needs
Your age, medications and how often you see doctors all affect which plan makes financial sense. In MoneyGeek's analysis, Oscar's Silver EPO premium for an 18-year-old is $394 a month. A 60-year-old pays $1,171 for the same plan, a 197% increase. If you expect high care use, the MOOP is a more important figure to compare than the premium.
- 2Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Within a single metal tier, premiums vary more than most people expect. The gap between the cheapest and most expensive Silver EPO plan for a 40-year-old in New Jersey is $207 a month ($2,484 a year) for the same type of coverage. Getting quotes from at least three carriers before you enroll is the single most effective way to avoid overpaying.
- 3Confirm your doctors are in-network before enrolling
All five New Jersey marketplace carriers use EPO structures below the Gold tier. EPO plans have no out-of-network coverage outside of emergencies. An out-of-network visit costs the full amount out of pocket and doesn't apply to your deductible or MOOP. Confirm your doctors are in-network before you pick a plan.
- 4Look at deductibles and MOOPs together
The carrier with New Jersey's lowest 2026 MOOP, AmeriHealth at $7,930, charges higher premiums than several carriers with higher ceilings. UnitedHealthcare carries the highest Silver MOOP at $9,800.
- 5Know which plan structures are available in New Jersey
New Jersey's 2026 marketplace has two plan structures:
- EPO: In-network care only, no referrals required. All five New Jersey carriers offer EPO plans.
- HMO: Requires network-only care and a primary care doctor to authorize specialist visits. AmeriHealth is the only New Jersey carrier with HMO plans, and only at the Gold tier.
- 6Check subsidy and program eligibility
Subsidies can cut monthly costs for qualifying households. If you're 65 or older or have a qualifying disability, compare Medicare Advantage plans in New Jersey and Medicare Supplement plans in New Jersey before defaulting to a marketplace plan.
GetCoveredNJ adds on top of federal premium tax credits, so the subsidized net price is below the listed premium for many eligible buyers.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in New Jersey?
New Jersey health insurance costs vary based on plan type, metal tier, age and location. EPO plans start at $509 for Bronze coverage and increase to $671 for Silver and $1,018 for Gold plans. HMO plans are only available in the Gold-tier in New Jersey, averaging $1,266 monthly.
A 40-year-old moving from Oscar's Silver EPO to Oscar's Gold EPO goes from $491 to $775 monthly, a $284 increase per month, the deductible drops from $2,500 to $1,750. For someone who reach their deductible every year, the Gold plan math can work. For someone who doesn't has to pay $3,408 more per year to lower the deductible by $750 rarely does.
| EPO | $509 | $671 | $1,018 |
| HMO | No Data | No Data | $1,266 |
*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in New Jersey. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.
WHAT AFFECTS YOUR TOTAL HEALTH CARE COST BEYOND THE PREMIUM
Monthly premiums are only one part of what you'll pay. In our analysis of New Jersey's 2026 plans, these four cost components affect your total annual spend more than the premium difference between carriers.
- Deductible: The amount you pay before your plan covers most services. In New Jersey's Silver-tier EPO market, deductibles range from $2,000 at WellCare to $2,500 at AmeriHealth. A $500 deductible difference means $500 more out of pocket before coverage starts.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP): The most you'll spend in a year on covered services. New Jersey's 2026 Silver-tier EPO MOOPs range from $7,930 at AmeriHealth to $9,800 at UnitedHealthcare. Once you hit your MOOP, the plan covers 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year.
- Co-insurance: What you pay per service after the deductible as a percentage of the bill. These rates vary by plan design. Compare the specific plan's cost-sharing schedule, not just the carrier's average.
- Network restrictions: EPO plans cover no out-of-network care outside emergencies. All five New Jersey carriers use EPO structures below the Gold tier. Out-of-network visits are paid entirely out of pocket and don't count toward your deductible or MOOP.
Best New Jersey Health Insurance: FAQ
New Jersey requires residents to have health insurance. If you go without coverage, you'll pay a penalty on your state tax return. Most residents must follow this rule, but you may qualify for an exemption if you face financial hardship, have a religious objection or have had a short gap in coverage. New Jersey also offers subsidies through GetCoveredNJ to help lower costs for residents who qualify.
New Jersey's open enrollment for 2026 coverage runs November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026. To start coverage January 1, 2026, pick a plan by December 31, 2025.
Yes. Medicaid is free for residents who meet the income requirements. Many others qualify for premium subsidies through the state marketplace that cut or eliminate monthly costs. Middle-income families often qualify for subsidies that bring premiums close to zero.
Our Review Methodology
We weighted three cost factors:
- Monthly premium (60%): Plans with the lowest average monthly cost score highest.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): The annual cap on health care costs beyond premiums. Lower MOOP scores better.
- Deductible (20%): The amount you pay before coverage begins. Lower average deductibles score higher.
We scored all plans within each filter group on the same scale. For Silver-tier HMO options, the best plan earns a 5.0, and all other plans are scored against it.
MoneyGeek reviewed every 2026 health plan offered in New Jersey for people ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Premium costs shown reflect rates for a 40-year-old unless noted otherwise. Our analysis covers all metal tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Related Pages
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Mark holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career in financial risk management at State Street and is also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov. "Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 17, 2026.
- GetCoveredNJ. "Official Site of The State of New Jersey." Accessed July 17, 2026.