Affordable Care Act (ACA)
New Jersey Enrollment Events and Activities

Affordable Care Act Events

The first Open Enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act is now closed. But the Marketplace remains open for those with special circumstances, including:

  1. You have a qualifying life event, like having a baby, getting married, or losing other coverage, or
  2. You have other complicated situations, including an unexpected hospitalization or temporary cognitive disability, a natural disaster such as an earthquake or massive flooding, misconduct by a non-Marketplace enrollment assistor like an insurance company or broker, a technical malfunction during enrollment, domestic abuse, errors related to immigration status, Medicaid/Marketplace transfers, or several additional factors.

Learn more about special enrollment periods and other coverage options outside Open Enrollment (click here). IIf you think you qualify for a special enrollment period, contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). You can find contacts for Local Enrollment Assistance (click here). For questions, you can also phone the NJCA Consumer Health Helpline toll-free at 1-888-NJ GET WELL (1-888-654-3893).

Medicaid and CHIP

You may qualify for free or low-cost care through Medicaid, based on income and family size. New Jersey has expanded Medicaid to cover more people. You can apply for and enroll in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time of year, since there is no limited enrollment period. If you qualify, your coverage can begin immediately. If you have Medicaid coverage, you’re considered covered under the health care law and don’t have to buy a Marketplace plan. Details (click here).

2015 Open Enrollment Period

The Open Enrollment period for 2015 coverage is November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015. If you haven't enrolled in coverage by then, you generally can't buy Marketplace health coverage for 2015 until the next Open Enrollment period for coverage the following year.