Murphy Administration Takes Action to Get More New Jerseyans Covered During Open Enrollment

TRENTON – As part of the Murphy Administration’s campaign to get more New Jerseyans insured during the Affordable Care Act’s limited open enrollment period, state departments and agencies Nov. 1 took action to promote and encourage enrollment in health coverage during the six-week window. NOv. 1 was the first day of open enrollment.
Gov. Phil Murphy this week announced the launch of Get Covered New Jersey, a state public awareness campaign to promote the Affordable Care Act’s 2019 open enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15. As part of the campaign, state departments and agencies that interact with the public are distributing information and materials and directing residents to coverage options and to free enrollment assistance through a new state website, GetCovered.NJ.gov.
Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Shereef Elnahal is asking all medical and behavioral health are providers in the state to encourage and help their patients and clients get the coverage that can save their lives.
In a letter to all contracted providers, hospitals, federally qualified healthcare centers, doctors, nurses, counselors, and other professionals on the front lines of the healthcare system, the commissioner urged the medical community to stress the need for insurance and to direct patients to resources where they can get it.
The commissioner also asked the providers to display and distribute various promotional materials found on the website.
“As a doctor, I have seen first-hand the difference health coverage can make in determining people’s health outcomes. Gov. Murphy’s commitment to increasing the number of people with health insurance will certainly result in a stronger and healthier New Jersey, and the Department of Health is committed to doing everything it can to educate people about the need to be insured,” Elnahal wrote in his letter to providers.
Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride sent a letter to community organizations, public and nonprofit agencies and grassroots organizations directing them to materials available for distribution in their communities.
“Through Get Covered New Jersey, we are working with agencies and nonprofit partners to make sure residents hear the message that now is the time to buy health insurance for next year so that they can get the coverage they deserve,” stated Caride.
“Part of our effort is ensuring that community organizations have access to materials and information that can help connect residents to health coverage. There is only a six-week window to enroll, so we want to ensure that New Jerseyans know that health plan rates are down in New Jersey and they may qualify for financial help to lower the cost of their plan, Caride stated.
The Motor Vehicle Commission has posted materials in English and Spanish in all 39 of its agencies. Information is also being distributed by the Department of Treasury.
Get Covered New Jersey is the first coordinated health coverage public awareness campaign conducted by the State of New Jersey since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The program promotes health coverage options available to residents through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace and in the individual insurance market during Open Enrollment, as well as through the state’s NJFamilyCare program year-round.
On Jan. 21, 2018, Murphy signed Executive Order Number 4, directing that all State entities that regularly interact with the public provide information regarding the Affordable Care Act marketplace and ways to enroll. The Get Covered New Jersey public awareness campaign is an extension of this effort.
The Get Covered New Jersey campaign builds on the policy actions taken by the state to defend the ACA and ensure that residents have access to health coverage and care. The Governor signed a law that requires residents to have health coverage or pay a penalty, called a Shared Responsibility Payment, unless they qualify for an exemption. It takes effect Jan, 1, 2019.