Now is the time to make sure you have health insurance. Open enrollment for 2024 coverage through Obamacare runs through Jan.15 but in New Jersey you have till the 31st since the state has its own marketplace.
The Inflation Reduction Act has made insurance more affordable than ever, according to Kathy Hempstead of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“For everybody the subsidies became larger, so many people are able to get a plan with a monthly premium of $10 or less, which is a great deal,” she said, “and we’re seeing lots and lots of people turning to the marketplace and signing up for Silver plans rather than Bronze plans which limits their cost-sharing more.”
She urged people to go to GetCovered.nj.gov.
“If you just go to GetCoveredNJ there is a lot of information. There is a call center, they have brokers they can connect you with, and they do some live events in different places where you can go in person to get help too,” said Hempstead.
She said New Jersey is doing its part to make coverage even more affordable.
“It has a small subsidy program, for some people it can enhance the subsidies they get a little bit over the federal so that can even increase affordability, and they also have an insurance mandate, an extra reason to get covered in New Jersey because if you don’t you’re gonna pay a fine,” Hempstead said.
She urged people on Medicaid to check on their status for 2024 since pandemic-era continuous coverage ended in April.