Best Health Insurance in New Jersey (2026)

Oscar is the best health insurance in New Jersey for 2026, followed by AmeriHealth and WellCare.

Explore New Jersey health insurance plans to find the best option.

Updated: August 12, 2026

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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, AmeriHealth and WellCare are the best health insurance companies in New Jersey for 2026. Oscar ranks first overall and has the lowest average Silver EPO premium for a 40-year-old at $551 per month. AmeriHealth costs more at $758 monthly but has a lower average out-of-pocket maximum of $7,930, compared with Oscar's $9,357.

Oscar is a better fit for healthy shoppers focused on lower monthly premiums, while AmeriHealth is the better value for people who expect frequent medical care. WellCare is another top alternative, along with Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare.


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)

* Rates shown are statewide averages for 40-year-olds with Silver-tier plans.

Oscar

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

5/5Affordability

4.7/5Deductible

3.7/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$551
Average MOOP
$9,357
Average Deductible
$2,050

pros
- Low premiums consistently below state averages
- Gold plans feature low $1,750 deductibles
- Bronze, Silver, Gold and Catastrophic metal tiers
cons
- Limited to EPO network structure only
- Bronze plans have higher deductibles from $3,000 to $4,650
Oscar is the only carrier in the state offering Bronze, Silver, Gold and Catastrophic tiers. Its Gold plan costs $775 monthly with a $1,750 deductible. Its HSA-eligible Silver plan costs $491 monthly with a $2,500 deductible. Two Bronze options are available at $473 monthly, a standard plan with a $3,000 deductible and an HSA plan with a $4,650 deductible.

Its digital platform includes virtual doctor visits and automated care recommendations and sets it apart from carriers that require in-person or phone-based care coordination. The Silver EPO premium of $551 for a 40-year-old leads every other carrier in the state at the same tier and age.
Oscar's EPO structure covers no out-of-network care outside of emergencies. Its $9,357 Silver-tier MOOP is the third-highest, behind UnitedHealthcare's $9,800 and WellCare's $9,740. Policyholders with established care teams outside Oscar's network pay the full cost of those visits. For heavy users, AmeriHealth's $7,930 MOOP costs $1,427 lower and caps annual exposure sooner.

Oscar health insurance plans in New Jersey:

Data filtered by:


Bronze 3000 Off Exchange	$473	EPO	Bronze	$10,600	$3,000	No
Bronze Classic	$470	EPO	Bronze	$9,300	$3,300	Yes
Bronze 6000 HSA Off Exchange	$476	EPO	Bronze	$8,300	$6,000	Yes

AmeriHealth

MoneyGeek Rating

4.3/ 5

4.2/5Affordability

4/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$758
Average MOOP
$7,930
Average Deductible
$2,400

pros
- Offers EPO and HMO plans
- Low $850 deductibles on Gold EPO policy
cons
- Higher than average premium rates
- Bronze plans feature high $5,250 deductible
AmeriHealth carries the lowest average MOOP of New Jersey's five marketplace carriers at $7,930 for Silver-tier plans. It's the only carrier in the state offering HMO plans, available only at the Gold tier at $1,266 monthly with a $2,200 deductible. Its Gold EPO plan costs $1,480 monthly with an $850 deductible, the lowest Gold EPO deductible among New Jersey carriers.
Its HSA eligible Bronze EPO plans average $511 monthly, with a $5,250 deductible. Silver EPO plans average $698 to $758 monthly. AmeriHealth's out-of-pocket ceiling is $1,427 lower than Oscar's and $1,870 lower than UnitedHealthcare's.
AmeriHealth's average monthly rate of $758 for Silver EPO coverage is $207 more than Oscar's Silver EPO, a difference of $2,484 per year for the same metal tier. It's Bronze deductibles at $5,250 are also among the highest in the state, so the Bronze tier is a poor fit if you expect to use your coverage.

AmeriHealth health insurance plans in New Jersey:

Data filtered by:


IHC Bronze EPO HSA AmeriHealth Advantage $25/$50	$451	EPO	Bronze	$8,450	$6,000	Yes
IHC Bronze EPO HSA AmeriHealth Hospital Advantage $50/$75	$485	EPO	Bronze	$8,450	$6,000	Yes
IHC Bronze EPO HSA Local Value 50%/50%	$521	EPO	Bronze	$8,450	$6,000	Yes
IHC Bronze EPO Local Value $50/$75	$588	EPO	Bronze	$10,600	$3,000	Yes

WellCare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.3/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

2.7/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$630
Average MOOP
$9,740
Average Deductible
$2,000

pros
- Gold plan deductible of $950
- Silver plan deductible of $2,000
cons
- EPO network only (no out-of-network coverage)
- Silver and Gold tiers only, no Bronze option
WellCare sells EPO plans in Silver and Gold tiers. Gold costs $756 a month with a $950 deductible and $7,750 out-of-pocket maximum. With a $2,000 deductible and $9,740 out-of-pocket maximum, Silver costs $630 a month. It fits New Jersey residents who want lower deductibles and are comfortable staying within the EPO network.
WellCare has no Bronze plans, so if your priority is the lowest monthly premium with a higher deductible, WellCare isn't an option. WellCare's $9,740 Silver MOOP is $1,810 above AmeriHealth's $7,930. In case you have high predictable medical costs you will reach WellCare's higher MOOP ceiling faster before any of its plan covers 100%. AmeriHealth caps this annual exposure sooner.

WellCare health insurance plans:

Data filtered by:


Elite Gold $0 Deductible + $0 Virtual 24/7 Care Visits	$812	EPO	Gold	$6,500	$0	No
Secure Gold + $0 Virtual 24/7 Care Visits	$700	EPO	Gold	$9,000	$1,900	No

Blue Cross Blue Shield

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

2.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$624
Average MOOP
$8,400
Average Deductible
$2,350

pros
- $8,400 average MOOP, second-lowest after AmeriHealth's $7,930
- $2,350 average deductible, lower than UnitedHealthcare and AmeriHealth at $2,400
- $624 Silver EPO premium, below WellCare, UnitedHealthcare and AmeriHealth
cons
- EPO structure covers no out-of-network care outside emergencies
- 4.2/5 MoneyGeek score, fourth of five carriers
- $624 premium sits $73 above Oscar's $551, the page's lowest Silver EPO rate
Blue Cross Blue Shield earns a 4.2/5 MoneyGeek score on its OMNIA Silver Choice plan. Its $624 Silver EPO premium for a 40-year-old is below WellCare, UnitedHealthcare and AmeriHealth at the same tier. The OMNIA design lowers cost-sharing when you use preferred-tier hospitals and doctors.
Blue Cross Blue Shield's OMNIA plans split providers into tiers, and only Tier 1 hospitals and doctors get the lowest cost-sharing. Use an out-of-tier provider and your share of the bill climbs. Confirm your hospital is in the preferred tier before enrolling, because an out-of-tier facility erases the plan's cost advantage. Buyers who want the lowest Silver premium pay $73 less per month with Oscar at $551.

Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans:


OMNIA Bronze Choice HSA	$467	EPO	Bronze	$8,500	$4,150	Yes
OMNIA Bronze ($0 Horizon CareOnline Virtual Care, $0 Select Insulin, No Referrals)	$541	EPO	Bronze	$10,150	$3,000	Yes
Horizon Advantage EPO Bronze ($0 Horizon CareOnline Virtual Care, $0 Select Insulin, No Referrals)	$779	EPO	Bronze	$10,150	$3,000	Yes
OMNIA Gold ($0 Horizon CareOnline Virtual Care, $0 Select Insulin, No Referrals)	$1,045	EPO	Gold	$7,500	$550	No
OMNIA Gold Choice HSA	$950	EPO	Gold	$6,000	$1,700	Yes
Horizon Advantage EPO Gold Choice	$1,193	EPO	Gold	$7,500	$1,500	No
OMNIA Silver Choice HSA	$541	EPO	Silver	$8,300	$2,300	Yes
OMNIA Silver Choice	$626	EPO	Silver	$10,000	$1,650	No
OMNIA Silver Saver HSA ($0 Horizon CareOnline Virtual Care after Ded, $0 Select Insulin, No Referrals)	$706	EPO	Silver	$8,500	$2,400	Yes
OMNIA Silver Value Choice	$542	EPO	Silver	$10,000	$2,100	No
OMNIA Silver Value ($0 Horizon CareOnline Virtual Care, $0 Select Insulin, No Referrals)	$562	EPO	Silver	$10,150	$2,100	No
OMNIA Silver ($0 Horizon CareOnline Virtual Care, $0 Select Insulin, No Referrals)	$789	EPO	Silver	$10,000	$1,700	No
Horizon Advantage EPO Silver Choice	$826	EPO	Silver	$10,000	$2,500	No
Horizon Advantage EPO Silver ($0 Horizon CareOnline Virtual Care, $0 Select Insulin, No Referrals)	$989	EPO	Silver	$10,150	$2,500	No

UnitedHealthcare

MoneyGeek Rating

3.6/ 5

4.4/5Affordability

2.5/5Deductible

2.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$656
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$2,400

pros
- $0 virtual urgent care included on the Silver-X Value plan
- No referrals required for specialists
- $656 Silver EPO premium, mid-field for a 40-year-old
cons
- Lowest MoneyGeek score on the page at 3.7/5
- Off-exchange only, so federal and GetCoveredNJ subsidies don't apply
- $9,800 MOOP, $1,870 above AmeriHealth's $7,930
UnitedHealthcare earns a 3.7/5 MoneyGeek score on its UHC Silver-X Value plan. The plan includes $0 virtual urgent care and requires no referrals. Its $656 Silver EPO premium for a 40-year-old lands mid-field.
Avoid UnitedHealthcare if you expect to qualify for a subsidy. Its Silver-X Value plan is off-exchange, so federal tax credits and GetCoveredNJ subsidies don't apply and a subsidized Oscar plan at $551 or WellCare plan at $630 often costs less out of pocket than UHC's $656. Its $9,800 MOOP is the highest of the five carriers,and its 3.7/5 score is the lowest.

UnitedHealthcare health insurance plans:


UHC Bronze-X Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals)	$584	EPO	Bronze	$10,600	$3,000	Yes
UHC Bronze Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals)	$584	EPO	Bronze	$10,600	$3,000	Yes
UHC Bronze-X Value HSA (No Referrals)	$598	EPO	Bronze	$8,500	$6,000	Yes
UHC Gold-X Advantage ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals)	$1,187	EPO	Gold	$7,200	$1,500	No
UHC Gold Advantage ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals)	$1,187	EPO	Gold	$7,200	$1,500	No
UHC Gold Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals)	$1,203	EPO	Gold	$8,500	$1,200	No
UHC Gold-X Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals)	$1,203	EPO	Gold	$8,500	$1,200	No
UHC Silver-X Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) (Off-Exchange Only)	$631	EPO	Silver	$9,000	$2,300	No
UHC Silver-X Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals)	$679	EPO	Silver	$9,000	$2,300	No
UHC Silver Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals)	$679	EPO	Silver	$9,000	$2,300	No
UHC Silver-X Advantage ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) (Off-Exchange Only)	$609	EPO	Silver	$10,600	$2,500	No
UHC Silver Advantage ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals)	$669	EPO	Silver	$10,600	$2,500	No
UHC Silver-X Advantage ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals)	$669	EPO	Silver	$10,600	$2,500	No

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:


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.

1
Assess 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.
2
Compare 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.
3
Confirm 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.
4
Look 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.
5
Know 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.
6
Check 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 runs from November 1 through January 31. To start coverage January 1, you need to enroll in a plan by December 31.

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.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he analyzes hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.

Mark studied at Boston College before earning a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Before MoneyGeek, he worked in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed August 13, 2026.
GetCoveredNJ. "Official Site of The State of New Jersey." Accessed August 13, 2026.

Best Health Insurance in New Jersey (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey

Oscar

AmeriHealth

WellCare

Blue Cross Blue Shield

UnitedHealthcare

Best Health Insurance in New Jersey by Category

Compare New Jersey Health Insurance Providers

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in New Jersey

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in New Jersey?

Best New Jersey Health Insurance: FAQ

Is health insurance required in New Jersey?

When is open enrollment in New Jersey?

Can you get free health insurance in New Jersey?

Our Review Methodology

Related Pages

About Mark Fitzpatrick