Updated: May 22, 2024
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Best Health InsuranceNew JerseyBest Health Insurance in New Jersey
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for New Jersey directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.
Aetna CVS Health has a MoneyGeek score of 73 out of 100, making it the provider with the best health insurance in New Jersey.
It provides plans that have the most affordable options, are better than average at not denying claims and have average out-of-pocket costs for customers.
For this analysis, we looked at 27 Silver EPO plans available in New Jersey.
Affordable premium rates
Fewer claims denied
Limited variety of plan types
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in New Jersey is Aetna CVS Health. This provider offers four Silver EPO plans. Its average plan rate is $424 per month, and the average MOOP cost for these plans is $8,850.
Aetna CVS Health provides Silver EPO plans. A common benefit of EPO plans is that they often offer lower premiums than PPO plans.
The insurer offers an average plan rate of $424, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,850.
Aetna CVS Health has a denial rate of 21%. This is lower than much of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans:
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has the highest MoneyGeek score for health insurance with low out-of-pocket costs in the state, with a score of 79 out of 100.
The company does well because it offers plans with lower out-of-pocket costs and is better than most insurers in not denying claims.
For this analysis, 10 Gold plans, which include both EPO and HMO types, were looked at in New Jersey.
Very low claim denial rate
Low out-of-pocket maximum costs
Limited variety of plan types offered
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in New Jersey for low out-of-pocket costs is Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. It offers one Gold EPO plan. EPO plans usually give you low costs if you get care in the plan's network.
It has an average plan rate of $956, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,000.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has a lower denial rate than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:
Aetna CVS Health is the best cheap cheap health insurance provider in New Jersey, earning a score of 83 out of 100. The provider has lower average rates for plans, with lower-than-average out-of-pocket expenses, and rejects fewer claims compared to other providers.
In New Jersey, we looked at 27 Silver EPO plans for this analysis. When picking the top provider for the cheap health insurance category, MoneyGeek put a lot of weight on plans with low monthly costs. Plans with less expensive monthly fees often mean you have to pay more yourself when you need health care.
Highly affordable premium rates
Few claims denied
Multiple plan types available
Out-of-pocket costs not the lowest
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in New Jersey is Aetna CVS Health. It offers four Silver plans to choose from, which provide affordable options for healthcare coverage.
The Silver plans from Aetna CVS Health in New Jersey are all EPO types. EPO plans often have lower out-of-pocket costs when you see doctors in the network.
The insurer offers an average plan rate of $414, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,850.
Aetna CVS Health has a denial rate of 21%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:
Aetna CVS Health offers the best health insurance in New Jersey for young adults, scoring an 87 out of 100, according to MoneyGeek.
This provider offers plans with competitive prices, low out-of-pocket costs and better-than-average claim denial rates. Only individuals under the age of 30 can sign up for its Catastrophic coverage.
We looked at 14 Bronze EPO plans and two Catastrophic EPO plans for young adults in New Jersey.
Excellent premium affordability
Minimal out-of-pocket expenses
Fewer claims denied
Diverse plan options offered
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in New Jersey for young adults is Aetna CVS Health. The insurer offers four Bronze plans for those who may need fewer medical services. There is also an option for one Catastrophic plan, which could be a fit if you want minimal coverage and have a lower budget.
Aetna CVS Health does not provide PPO or POS plans in New Jersey. EPO plans, which the company offers, can be helpful as they typically allow you to choose from a network of doctors and you don't need a referral to see a specialist.
The insurer offers an average plan rate of $309, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,300.
Aetna CVS Health has a denial rate of about 21%, which is lower than most of the competition. This means it is more likely to approve your insurance claims compared to other providers.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:
Health insurance companies have different types of plans. The best providers for all plan categories in New Jersey are:
MoneyGeek's recommendations only used Silver plans. Silver plans balance cost and coverage. They are suited for regular health service users.
New Jersey has 27 Silver EPO plans available.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in New Jersey for Silver EPO plans is Aetna CVS Health, which provides four different plans. It offers an average plan rate of $446, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,850. The provider has a denial rate of 20.89%, which is slightly higher than average.
Silver EPO plans let you see specialists without always needing a referral, which can be convenient. You do need to use doctors and hospitals in the plan's network unless it's an emergency, which can limit your choices. This type of plan is the third most common, offering a balance between flexibility and network restrictions.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver EPO plans from Aetna CVS Health:
The best health insurance for you in New Jersey will vary based on your medical needs and how much you’re willing to pay in monthly costs. We recommend considering these factors when buying a health insurance plan.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
Health insurance plans have rules about which doctors you can see. If a doctor is in your plan's network, the costs are usually lower. When you see a doctor outside of that network, you might have to pay more. In New Jersey, some plans are more strict about this than others.
In New Jersey, there are different types of health plans. EPO plans don't cover much if you see a doctor outside their list. PPO plans let you see doctors outside their list but you pay more.
New Jersey has 27 EPO plans.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When you look for health insurance, you need to find a good balance. Your choice depends on what you can pay each month and how much you can spend on medical care. If you don't often need a doctor, a plan with a cheap monthly cost but higher MOOP might work. But if you visit the doctor a lot, it's smarter to pick a plan with a higher monthly cost and lower MOOP.
For example, let's talk about a Silver plan with the lowest MOOP. The cheapest one costs $414 a month. That's less than the average for Silver plans from the same company. A low-cost plan with a low MOOP is great if it covers the doctors and services you need.
Seniors in New Jersey who are over 65 years old or have a qualifying illness or disability can get Medicare. It’s a federal government-sponsored program that helps eligible people get health coverage.
Medicare has the following parts:
You can also opt for Medicaid if your income is below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
We answered the following frequently asked questions to address your concerns about plan costs and availability in New Jersey.
The best health insurance in New Jersey for 2024 is provided by Aetna CVS Health. However, the best choice for you will depend on your unique circumstances and needs.
Before you finalize your health insurance provider, it’s essential to consider your ideal balance between the plan’s cost and the cost of care. You should also understand how your chosen plan treats in- and out-of-network coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
