Best Health Insurance in New Jersey (2026)

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.

We analyzed every 2026 health insurance plan available in New Jersey across five carriers, evaluating policyholders at ages 18, 26, 40 and 60.

The spread 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, AmeriHealth and WellCare are the best health insurance companies in New Jersey for 2026. New Jersey has its own individual mandate: residents without coverage pay a state tax penalty. The state also offers state-based subsidies through GetCoveredNJ to make coverage more affordable for eligible residents.

Best Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey

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.


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 most striking pattern in our New Jersey data is the MOOP spread. Oscar's $9,357 average out-of-pocket maximum is $1,427 higher than AmeriHealth's $7,930, even though Oscar's premiums are $207 per month lower. 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.

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 earns a 4.7/5 MoneyGeek score, the highest among New Jersey's five marketplace carriers. It's 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 Silver plan runs $491 monthly with a $2,500 deductible and is HSA-eligible. 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.

Our analysis found Oscar's pricing advantage is most pronounced at the Silver tier, where its $491 monthly rate is $139 per month below the next-cheapest Silver EPO in New Jersey. That gap narrows at the Gold tier, where the premium difference drops to under $20 between Oscar and WellCare. If you're choosing between Silver and Gold, the math shifts depending on which carrier you're comparing.

Oscar's digital platform includes virtual doctor visits and automated care recommendations, which sets it apart from carriers that require in-person or phone-based care coordination. In our analysis, Oscar's Silver EPO premium of $551 for a 40-year-old leads every other carrier in the state at the same tier and age.

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

Oscar's EPO structure covers no out-of-network care outside of emergencies. At a $9,357 average MOOP on Silver-tier plans, it carries the fourth-highest annual out-of-pocket exposure on this page, behind Blue Cross Blue Shield's $10,050, UnitedHealthcare's $9,800 and WellCare's $9,740. Policyholders managing ongoing conditions with established care teams outside Oscar's network will pay the full cost of those visits. AmeriHealth's $7,930 MOOP is $1,427 lower and is the stronger choice for anyone who expects to use coverage heavily each year.

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 earns a 4.3/5 MoneyGeek score and 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, though those are available only at the Gold tier at $1,266 monthly with a $2,200 deductible. Its Gold EPO plan runs $1,480 monthly with an $850 deductible, the lowest Gold EPO deductible among New Jersey carriers.

Bronze EPO plans average $511 monthly with HSA eligibility and a $5,250 deductible. Silver EPO plans average $698 to $758 monthly. The most useful finding in our analysis isn't AmeriHealth's premiums, which are the highest among the five carriers. It's the MOOP: at $7,930, AmeriHealth's out-of-pocket ceiling is $1,427 lower than Oscar's and $1,870 lower than UnitedHealthcare's.

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

The premium gap is the clearest reason to look elsewhere first. 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. Unless your specific doctors are in AmeriHealth's network only, or you need HMO structure for cost management reasons, that gap is hard to justify on cost alone. AmeriHealth's Bronze deductibles at $5,250 are also among the highest in the state, which makes the Bronze tier a poor fit for anyone who expects to use their coverage.

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 plans feature low $950 deductible
- Silver plans offer moderate $2,000 deductible
cons
- Limited to EPO network structures only
- Only Silver and Gold metal levels available
WellCare earns a 4.3/5 MoneyGeek score and covers only Silver and Gold plans in New Jersey: no Bronze or Catastrophic tiers. Its Gold plan costs $756 monthly with a $950 deductible and a $7,750 MOOP. Its Silver plan runs $630 monthly with a $2,000 deductible and a $9,740 MOOP. WellCare's Gold deductible of $950 is the second-lowest Gold-tier deductible among New Jersey carriers, behind AmeriHealth's Gold EPO at $850.

The trade-off is straightforward: WellCare's Silver plan offers a lower deductible than AmeriHealth's Silver EPO ($2,000 vs. $2,500) at a lower monthly premium ($630 vs. $698 to $758). For residents choosing between those two carriers at the Silver tier, WellCare wins on both monthly cost and deductible, but loses on MOOP ($9,740 vs. $7,930).

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

Two metal tiers is the primary constraint. WellCare has no Bronze plans, so if your priority is the lowest monthly premium with a higher deductible, WellCare isn't an option. The Silver out-of-pocket maximum at $9,740 is also worth weighing for anyone with predictable high medical costs: you're accepting more annual exposure at the ceiling than you'd have with AmeriHealth. Enrollees managing ongoing conditions who expect to hit their MOOP should run the full-year math before choosing WellCare over a carrier with a lower cap.

Best Health Insurance in New Jersey by Category

Oscar's age-neutral cost structure is the most useful finding in the by-category data. Most health insurers raise deductibles and MOOP as policyholders age, but 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

One pattern in our data worth calling out: 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.

AmeriHealth doesn't appear in the by-age premium rankings because those rows reflect Silver-tier EPO plans and AmeriHealth's Silver EPO average of $698 monthly trails Oscar's $551 for all age groups. Its strongest position is in MOOP, not premiums. WellCare doesn't appear in the teen or young adult rows for the same reason: 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

Choosing the right health insurance in New Jersey means comparing coverage needs, insurer reputations and enrollment options. In our analysis of New Jersey's 2026 marketplace, the biggest cost error comes from choosing on monthly premium alone. A $100 lower monthly premium can cost more annually if the MOOP is $1,000 higher and you use your coverage. The six steps below address that trade-off directly.

1
Assess your health care needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and how often you visit doctors before choosing a coverage level. Your age also affects what you pay: in our analysis, Oscar's Silver EPO premium for an 18-year-old is $394 monthly, while a 60-year-old pays $1,171 for the same plan, a 197% increase. Higher expected care use makes the MOOP the more important number to compare than the premium.
2
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Compare quotes from multiple insurers. In our New Jersey analysis, the premium spread between the cheapest and most expensive Silver EPO plan for a 40-year-old was $171 per month, or $2,052 per year. That gap exists within a single metal tier for the same type of coverage. Getting quotes from at least three carriers is the highest-leverage action before you enroll.
3
Check provider networks
Verify your preferred doctors and specialists are in-network before enrolling. All five New Jersey marketplace carriers use EPO structures below the Gold tier, which means there is no out-of-network coverage outside of emergencies. An out-of-network visit under any EPO plan costs the full bill out of pocket and doesn't count toward your deductible or MOOP.
4
Review out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles
Review out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles together, not separately. In New Jersey's 2026 Silver EPO market, the carrier with the lowest MOOP (AmeriHealth at $7,930) has higher premiums than the carrier with the highest MOOP (Blue Cross Blue Shield at $10,050). A low monthly premium with a high MOOP can cost more in total than a higher-premium plan with a lower ceiling, depending on how much care you use.
5
Evaluate plan types
New Jersey's 2026 marketplace offers two plan structures. Knowing the difference before you compare carriers saves time.
- EPO: Covers in-network care only. No referrals needed to see a specialist, but out-of-network visits aren't covered outside emergencies. All five New Jersey carriers offer EPO plans.
- HMO: Requires care to stay within the network and routes specialist visits through a primary care doctor. AmeriHealth is the only carrier offering HMO plans in New Jersey, and only at the Gold tier.
6
Explore 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.

The jump from Silver to Gold is steeper in New Jersey than in most states we've analyzed. 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, but the deductible drops from $2,500 to $1,750. Whether that trade-off makes sense depends entirely on expected utilization. For someone who hits their deductible every year, the Gold plan math can work. For someone who doesn't, paying $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 $8,829 at AmeriHealth to $10,050 at Blue Cross Blue Shield. 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 Health Insurance in New Jersey: Bottom Line

Oscar earns the top ranking in our analysis because it holds the lowest premiums at every age group while keeping deductibles and MOOP consistent across age. For most 40-year-old New Jersey residents buying Silver-tier coverage, it's the right starting point. Its Bronze plans start at $473 monthly, the only entry-level option for budget-first buyers in the state.

AmeriHealth is the stronger choice for anyone who expects to use their coverage heavily. Its $7,930 average MOOP is the lowest on this page and $1,427 below Oscar's. The math works in AmeriHealth's favor once your annual care spending approaches your deductible. WellCare suits residents who want a mid-range Silver-tier plan with the lowest Gold-tier deductible at $950 and a $7,750 Gold MOOP, without comparing across a large plan menu.

Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare rank fourth and fifth in our analysis. Neither leads on premium or MOOP relative to the top three. Policyholders with existing provider relationships in those networks should verify their doctors are in-network with one of the higher-ranked carriers before defaulting to a lower-scoring option.

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?

New Jersey requires residents to have health insurance. Residents without coverage pay a state tax penalty on their annual return. 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.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.

His insights — on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance — have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR among others.

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Read Full Bio »

Best Health Insurance in New Jersey (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey

Oscar

AmeriHealth

WellCare

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 Health Insurance in New Jersey: Bottom Line

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

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