OPEN ENROLLMENT
What You Need To Know
2025 Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for 2025 individual market coverage in the exchange and off-exchange will begin November 1, 2024, and end January 31, 2025, in New Jersey and end January 15, 2025 for Pennsylvania.
The Open Enrollment Period is the time of the year when Americans can choose to extend or change their health insurance policy. Everyone should review their health insurance options every year, as policy offerings do change year by year. If you are looking for health insurance, you must check your deductibles, what your policy covers, and if you should look for a different health insurance option due to your changed circumstances. A new plan may work better and be more affordable.
Important dates to remember for New Jersey:
- November 1, 2024: Open Enrollment starts the first day you can enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2023 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage can begin as soon as January 1, 2025.
- January 31, 2025: The last day to enroll in or change plans during open enrollment; the coverage effective date is February 1, 2025.
The GetCoveredNJ Marketplace site offers 2025 plan options throughout the open enrollment period, which begins on January 1st.
Important dates to remember for Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania’s open enrollment period for individual and family coverage runs from November 1 to January 15. If you enroll before December 15, your coverage starts on January 1. However, if you apply between December 16 and January 15, your coverage will begin on February 1.
- November 1, 2024: Open Enrollment starts the first day you can enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2023 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage can begin as soon as January 1, 2025.
- January 15, 2025: This is the last day to enroll in or change plans during open enrollment; coverage becomes effective on February 1, 2025.
You can find 2025 plan options through the Pennie Marketplace site throughout the open enrollment period, which begins on January 1st.
Special Enrollment Opportunities
Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a time outside the yearly open enrollment period when an individual can enroll in a health insurance plan. An individual may qualify for a SEP if they have a qualifying life event, including losing health coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. SEPs will be available after December 15 or through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
With a Special Enrollment Period
- If you experience specific life changes, like losing health coverage, getting married, or having a baby, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Marketplace plan.
- Learn about the life events that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.
Through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- You can apply for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid and CHIP any time all year. If you qualify, you can enroll immediately.
- See if you may qualify for Medicaid and CHIP before you apply. When you visit the page, select the second button, answer a few questions, and we will tell you if it looks like you may qualify.
- Learn how to apply or Medicaid and CHIP.
Individual Penalty
NJ Health Insurance Mandate
The New Jersey Health Insurance Market Preservation Act requires every New Jersey resident to obtain health insurance, have a valid exemption, or make a Shared Responsibility Payment (SRP).
PA Health Insurance Mandate
Pennsylvania no longer requires its residents to have health insurance in compliance with the Affordable Care Act. Pennsylvania residents should consider obtaining health insurance to avoid high medical costs.
Additional Information
Medicaid & CHIP coverage
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels. There is no limited enrollment period for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to apply at any time.
Learn more and see if you qualify for Medicaid based on income alone.
Need Personalized Advice?
Call us at 609-512-7178 for assistance or email [email protected] if you have any questions about your current plan.