Oscar provides the cheapest health insurance policies with an average monthly premium of $637. County availability affects which plans you can access, though Oscar maintains the lowest rates across New Jersey's marketplace. WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and AmeriHealth also offer competitive rates.
Cheapest Health Insurance in New Jersey: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: May 7, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Oscar is New Jersey's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $637.
Oscar offers the cheapest rates for teens, young adults, adults, seniors and EPO plans. WellCare has the lowest Gold plan rates.
Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in New Jersey
| 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.
Oscar
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
5/5Affordability
4.7/5Deductible
3.7/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$637Avg. MOOP
$9182Avg. Deductible
$2753
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.
Cheapest New Jersey Health Insurance By Metal Level
Metal tiers control both your monthly premiums and care costs. Bronze plans reduce monthly payments but increase deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Platinum plans charge higher premiums while lowering costs when you use medical services. Bronze works for people who rarely need doctors and want minimal monthly bills. Gold plans suit frequent medical appointments and regular prescriptions better.
Oscar offers New Jersey's cheapest Bronze and Silver plans at $473 and $491 monthly. The state doesn't sell Platinum plans. Wellcare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey provides the lowest Gold rates at $756 monthly.
| 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.
Compare Cheap New Jersey Health Insurance Plans
Check the table below to find the most cheapest health insurance options in New Jersey suited to your situation:
Data filtered by:
EPO
Silver
40
No
| 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
Shopping for health insurance means checking premiums, coverage levels and deductibles across dozens of options. Use these steps to identify coverage that covers your health care needs affordably.
- 1Choose a plan type within your budget
Your health circumstances and income determine which type of plan and metal tier work best. Start by setting a monthly premium budget, then factor in your current health status and how much coverage risk makes sense given your age and lifestyle.
- 2Check if you qualify for subsidies
Subsidies are available to households earning between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Your household size also affects eligibility. Lower incomes qualify for larger credits, with amounts tapering as income rises.
- 3Explore 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.
- 4Verify 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.
- 5Shop 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 coverage types, customer ratings, costs and whether your doctors accept the plan.
- 6Review network providers carefully
Confirm your current doctors and specialists accept the plan before you enroll. Out-of-network care costs significantly more, even with solid insurance. Contact providers directly or check the insurer's online directory, since networks change frequently and outdated information can mean unexpected bills.
Cheapest Health Insurance in New Jersey: Bottom Line
Oscar, WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey and Blue Cross Blue Shield offer New Jersey's lowest health insurance rates. Get quotes from at least three insurers across multiple metal tiers to help match budget and coverage needs. 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.
Cheap New Jersey Health Insurance: FAQ
Below we address frequently asked questions about affordable health insurance in New Jersey:
What is the cheapest health insurance in New Jersey?
Oscar offers the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $551 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap plans charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care. You'll pay less monthly but more when using services. Higher-premium plans cost more upfront but reduce what you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in New Jersey?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.
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 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. We ranked providers 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. This approach reveals which insurers offer the best rates for your specific age group, not just generic "cheapest" rankings that may not apply to you.
Important Cost Tradeoff
Bronze and Silver 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.
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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 the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!