Oscar is the best health insurance company in New Jersey, though AmeriHealth, WellCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare may be better for your specific needs and budget. Differences in network size, plan flexibility and out-of-pocket costs affect your total health care spending, making it important to compare options carefully before enrolling.
Best Health Insurance in New Jersey (2026)
Updated: January 23, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Oscar leads New Jersey's health insurance market, balancing monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs across all plan options.
Review quotes from several insurance companies, evaluate provider networks and cost-sharing features and confirm that your preferred doctors participate in your selected plan.
Best Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey
| 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.
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
Best Health Insurance in New Jersey by Category
Health insurance costs in New Jersey vary by age and plan type. Oscar offers the lowest Silver-tier premiums across all age groups. The insurer keeps deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums the same regardless of your 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
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
Finding the right health insurance in New Jersey involves comparing your coverage needs, researching insurer reputations and exploring available enrollment options.
- 1Assess your health care needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and how often you visit doctors to determine which coverage level makes sense. Past medical expenses help predict future costs and guide your deductible choice.
- 2Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Request rates from at least three New Jersey health insurance companies to spot price differences and coverage variations.
- 3Check provider networks
Verify your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals accept plans you're considering. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront.
- 4Review out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles
Higher deductibles lower monthly premiums but increase upfront costs when you need care. Your MOOP caps annual expenses, limiting your total costs.
- 5Evaluate plan types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans each offer different trade-offs. HMOs require referrals but cost less, while PPOs offer flexibility to see specialists without approval at higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall between these options.
- 6Explore federal programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans make health insurance more affordable. If you have a low income, a qualifying disability or are 65 or older, explore Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans.
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.
| 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.
Best Health Insurance in New Jersey: Bottom Line
Oscar, AmeriHealth and WellCare Health are the top health insurance providers in New Jersey. The best plan for you depends on your age, budget, health needs and preferred network. Get quotes from multiple insurers and compare premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums before you enroll.
Best New Jersey Health Insurance: FAQ
New Jersey residents often ask about enrollment periods, state insurance requirements and how multiple plans work together.
Is health insurance required in New Jersey?
Yes, New Jersey requires residents to have health insurance or face a state tax penalty. The mandate applies to most residents, though exemptions exist for financial hardship, religious objections and short coverage gaps. New Jersey offers state-based subsidies through GetCoveredNJ to help make coverage more affordable for eligible residents.
When is open enrollment in New Jersey?
New Jersey's open enrollment period for 2026 health coverage begins November 1, 2025, and ends January 31, 2026. You must select a plan by December 31, 2025, for coverage to start January 1, 2026.
Can you get free health insurance in New Jersey?
Yes, New Jersey residents can access free health insurance through Medicaid if they meet income requirements. Many others qualify for premium subsidies through the state marketplace that reduce monthly costs or eliminate them entirely, making coverage affordable for middle-income families.
Our Review Methodology
Our ranking system evaluates health insurance plans based on three cost factors: premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits.
Scoring methodology:
- Monthly premium (60%): Plans with the lowest average monthly costs receive the best ratings.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): MOOP is the annual spending limit for covered services beyond your premium. Insurers with lower MOOP limits earn better scores.
- Deductible (20%): This amount must be paid before insurance begins covering costs. Plans with smaller deductibles receive higher ratings.
We normalized all scores within each filter group. For Silver-tier HMO options, the best-performing plan earns a 5.0 rating, with other plans scored relative to that top performer.
MoneyGeek evaluated every 2026 health plan offered in New Jersey for people ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Premium costs shown reflect 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers all available metal tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.