How to Get Health Insurance Through the State of New Jersey
New Jersey offers an Individual Health Coverage (IHC) program through which residents can buy health insurance from private carriers. Plans are available for single people, two adults, families or adults with children. Any New Jersey resident who is not eligible for Medicare and is not already covered under a group, government or church plan can apply for IHC coverage.
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Instructions
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Read the NJ Individual Health Coverage Buyer's Guide (see Resources) to see what insurance plans are available and what benefits each plan offers. The IHC program offers traditional full-service insurance plans and high-deductible plans as well as less expensive managed care options such as HMOs and PPOs.
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Go to the NJ Individual Health Coverage Program Standard Health Benefits Plan Rate pages (see Resources) and review the rates, deductible and co-payment amount for each plan and each carrier.
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When you have selected a carrier, contact that carrier for an application. The list of carriers on the IHC website includes each carrier's web address, mailing address and phone number.
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Complete the application and mail it to the carrier. Include a check for the first month's premium if you want the coverage to begin within the next month. Your carrier will send you an identification card and a policy or contract that lists your policy's effective date.
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Tips & Warnings
The NJ Individual Health Coverage Buyer's Guide is available from the State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website (see Resources).
November is an open enrollment period. If you apply for coverage in November, it will not begin until January 1.
References
Resources
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