When can I enroll in health insurance in New Jersey?

New Jersey residents can enroll in health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. You may also qualify for Special Enrollment if you experience a <a href="https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/health/qualifying-life-events/">qualifying life event</a> like job loss, marriage or having a baby.

Cheapest Health Insurance in New Jersey: Affordable Plans for 2026

Oscar sells the cheapest health insurance plans in New Jersey for the 2026 plan year.

Find affordable health insurance in New Jersey below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: July 13, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Oscar is New Jersey's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $637.

Oscar has the cheapest rates for teens, young adults, adults, seniors and EPO plans. WellCare has the lowest Gold-tier plan rates.

Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.

New Jersey operates its own health insurance marketplace, Get Covered NJ, separate from the federal HealthCare.gov exchange. State officials set all 2026 plan pricing and enrollment rules. Six insurers sell plans on the exchange this year.

For a 40-year-old, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive insurer is $957 a month. All six plans cover the same ACA-required essential health benefits. Network design and cost-sharing structure are what create the price gap. The cheapest carrier looks like an outlier to most shoppers.

In New Jersey, two of six insurers price below the state average of $901 monthly. Oscar is 29% below that figure. WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey prices at $837 monthly, 7% below the state average. The four remaining carriers all price above the average, with AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. at 77% above.

Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey

Oscar leads New Jersey's marketplace at $637 monthly. The gap between Oscar and WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey at $837, is $200 per month.

Oscar sells only EPO plans, which means no out-of-network coverage outside emergencies. WellCare's higher premium buys access to a different network structure. For shoppers with established specialists outside Oscar's EPO, that $200 monthly gap pays for access to those doctors.


Oscar	$637	$264	$7,644	$3,168
WellCarHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc.	$837	$64	$10,044	$768
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$925	$24	$11,100	$288
UnitedHealthcare	$982	$81	$11,784	$972
AmeriHealth	$1,051	$150	$12,612	$1,800
AmeriHealth HMO, Inc.	$1,594	$693	$19,128	$8,316

* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in New Jersey. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.

AmeriHealth HMO, Inc.'s $1,594 average reflects a plan structure with lower cost-sharing at the point of care, which can reduce overall expenses for policyholders who use medical services regularly.

Oscar

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

5/5Affordability

4.7/5Deductible

3.7/5MOOP

Avg. Monthly Rate
$637
Avg. MOOP
$9182
Avg. Deductible
$2753

pros
- Low-income plan options that undercut most New Jersey competitors on price
- Digital tools, including a well-rated mobile app, that make managing appointments and coverage straightforward
cons
- No HMO or PPO plans; Oscar only offers EPO networks
- Specialist access can be limited depending on your area
Oscar is New Jersey's most affordable health insurer, with an average monthly premium of $637, 29% below the state average. Its EPO plans ranked first in MoneyGeek's New Jersey analysis for both affordability and overall performance.

Premiums range from $243 a month for Catastrophic coverage (for an 18-year-old) to $3,144 for a Gold-tier EPO plan covering a 60-year-old. Oscar doesn't offer HMO or PPO options, so coverage is limited to its EPO network.

Oscar prices low because of its network design. The insurer sells only EPO plans in New Jersey, which limits coverage to in-network providers outside emergencies. Oscar doesn't sell through agents, which cuts distribution overhead. Both factors explain its 29% price gap below the state average.
Oscar's EPO-only network is the deciding factor for many New Jersey shoppers. The insurer provides no out-of-network benefit outside emergencies. If you have an established relationship with a specialist outside Oscar's EPO network, you'd pay full out-of-network cost every visit.

Shoppers who travel regularly for work or live near the Pennsylvania or New York border and use providers in neighboring states should compare WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey or Blue Cross Blue Shield before enrolling.

Cheapest New Jersey Health Insurance Providers By Profile

Age, plan type and metal level shift which provider charges you least. Monthly premiums tell part of the cost picture. Deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits determine your expenses when you actually need care.


Teens	Oscar	$394	$4,726	$9,357	$2,050
Young Adults	Oscar	$442	$5,301	$9,357	$2,050
With Health Savings Account Eligibility	Oscar	$491	$5,891	$8,300	$2,500
Adults	Oscar	$551	$6,616	$9,357	$2,050
EPO	Oscar	$551	$6,616	$9,357	$2,050
Seniors	Oscar	$1,171	$14,050	$9,357	$2,050

* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.

Oscar's rate for a 40-year-old is $551 monthly. For a 60-year-old on the same carrier, that climbs to $1,171, a 113% increase. New Jersey limits how much insurers can vary premiums by age and Oscar's senior rate is near the top of that allowed range.

Cheapest New Jersey Health Insurance By Metal Level

Oscar sells New Jersey's cheapest Bronze-tier and Silver-tier plans at $473 and $491 monthly. The state doesn't sell Platinum plans. WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey provides the lowest Gold-tier rates at $756 monthly. Metal tiers control both your monthly premiums and care costs. Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Gold is worth the higher premium if you have regular appointments or take maintenance medications.


Bronze	Oscar	$473	$5,678	$8,800	$4,650
Silver	Oscar	$491	$5,891	$8,300	$2,500
Gold	WellCarHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc.	$756	$9,069	$7,750	$950

* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.

The Bronze-to-Gold premium gap in New Jersey is $283 per month or $3,396 annually. A Gold-tier plan's lower deductible ($950 versus $4,650 for Bronze) pays off when annual out-of-pocket spending crosses that threshold.

Policyholders with regular specialist visits and ongoing prescription needs, often have lower overall healthcare costs with Gold plans than with Bronze plans, despite the higher monthly premiums.

Compare Cheap New Jersey Health Insurance Plans

Check the table below to find the cheapest health insurance options in New Jersey suited to your situation:

Data filtered by:


Oscar	Silver 1750 Off Exchange	$508	EPO	Silver	$9,700	$1,750	40	No
AmeriHealth	IHC Select Silver EPO AmeriHealth Advantage $25/$60	$515	EPO	Silver	$9,000	$2,500	40	No
Oscar	Silver 2500 Off Exchange	$523	EPO	Silver	$9,700	$2,500	40	No
Oscar	Silver Simple	$538	EPO	Silver	$7,400	$2,800	40	No
Blue Cross Blue Shield	OMNIA Silver Value Choice	$542	EPO	Silver	$10,000	$2,100	40	No
Oscar	Silver Simple PCP Saver	$545	EPO	Silver	$9,300	$2,500	40	No
Oscar	Silver Classic	$547	EPO	Silver	$9,200	$2,700	40	No
WellCarHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc.	New Jersey Silver + $0 Virtual 24/7 Care Visits	$549	EPO	Silver	$10,300	$2,500	40	No
AmeriHealth	IHC Silver EPO AmeriHealth Advantage 40%/40%	$552	EPO	Silver	$8,000	$2,500	40	No
Oscar	Silver Classic Saver Plus	$562	EPO	Silver	$9,600	$500	40	No

How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in New Jersey

Use these steps to identify coverage that covers your health care needs affordably.

1
Choose a plan type within your budget
In MoneyGeek's New Jersey rate data, the cheapest Bronze-tier plan runs $473 monthly while the cheapest Gold-tier plan runs $756. That $283 monthly difference ($3,396 annually) is your starting range for deciding whether lower premiums or lower cost-sharing makes more sense.

Your health status and how often you use medical services should drive that decision.
2
Check if you qualify for subsidies
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace for households earning between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Your household size also affects eligibility. Lower incomes qualify for larger credits. The subsidy amount decreases as income rises.

New Jersey's unsubsidized average for a 40-year-old is $901 monthly. That baseline makes checking subsidy eligibility worth the five minutes it takes to run your income through Get Covered NJ.
3
Review Medicare options if you qualify
Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans often cost less than marketplace coverage. Compare each program's eligibility requirements and benefits before shopping the exchange.
4
Verify prescription coverage
Check which tier your medications fall under for each insurer. Some plans place common prescriptions on lower tiers with smaller copays, which can save you hundreds a year.
5
Shop during Open Enrollment period
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. If you've lost your job, divorced or had a child, you may qualify for Special Enrollment.
Compare costs, coverage types and customer ratings. Confirm your doctors are in-network.
6
Review network providers carefully
Confirm your current doctors and specialists accept the plan before you enroll. Out-of-network care can cost two to three times more than in-network visits, even on plans with low deductibles.

Contact providers directly or check the insurer's online directory, since networks change and outdated information can mean unexpected bills.

Cheapest Health Insurance in New Jersey: Bottom Line

Oscar is the right starting point for most New Jersey shoppers who want the lowest monthly cost and don't have out-of-network specialist needs. At $551 per month for a 40-year-old on a Silver-tier plan, it's 29% below the state average.

Shoppers who use medical services regularly and want lower cost-sharing should compare WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey's Gold-tier plan at $756 monthly. The $205 monthly difference buys a $7,750 maximum out-of-pocket versus Oscar's $9,182 average.

New Jersey law requires all marketplace plans to cover essential health benefits, including preventive care, maternity services, mental health treatment and prescription drugs at no extra cost beyond your premium. Get quotes from at least three insurers before enrolling. In MoneyGeek's New Jersey rate data, the spread between the cheapest and most expensive insurer for a 40-year-old is $957 per month. If you're currently enrolled in AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. and qualify for Oscar, switching saves $11,484 per year.

Cheap New Jersey Health Insurance: FAQ

An EPO plan covers care only from doctors and hospitals in its network. You pay full cost for out-of-network visits except in emergencies. Unlike an HMO, an EPO doesn't require a referral to see a specialist. Oscar sells only EPO plans in New Jersey, so confirm your current doctors are in-network before enrolling.

Oscar has the cheapest health insurance, with Silver-tier plans starting at $551 monthly for 40-year-olds.

Cheap plans have lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need care. Higher-premium plans cost more each month but reduce what you pay when you use them.

Subsidies reduce monthly premiums for households earning between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. New Jersey's unsubsidized average for a 40-year-old is $901 monthly, so even a partial subsidy cuts that cost by hundreds per year. Run your household income through Get Covered NJ to see your subsidy amount before comparing plans.

New Jersey residents can enroll in health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. You may also qualify for Special Enrollment if you experience a qualifying life event like job loss, marriage or having a baby.

How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey

New Jersey offers hundreds of health insurance plans and premiums vary by age. We analyzed rate data from Get Covered New Jersey, the state's health insurance marketplace, to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for different demographics.

Our Analysis Approach

We collected plan data for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 to cover the full age spectrum from teens through pre-Medicare seniors. Providers are ranked by their average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds as our baseline cheapest overall category, since this age reflects New Jersey's median health insurance consumer and provides the most relevant comparison for most shoppers.

For age-specific rankings (teens, young adults, adults, seniors), we used the corresponding ages listed above. Age-specific rankings show which insurers offer the best rates for your profile, not just generic rates that may not apply to you.

Important Cost Tradeoff

Bronze-tier and Silver-tier plans (the lowest monthly premiums) charge $2,500 to $4,650 deductibles and $8,300 to $8,800 maximum out-of-pocket costs. You'll save monthly but pay more when you need care. Compare premiums and potential out-of-pocket expenses based on your expected medical usage.

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.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 16, 2026.
CMS.gov. "What are you looking for today?." Accessed July 16, 2026.
Get Covered NJ. "New Jersey's Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 16, 2026.