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Open Enrollment Is Here. Don't Just Let Your Health Plan Renew.

Adam Puharic
Oct 15
2 min read

Every fall, millions of people let their health coverage renew without looking at it. The paperwork is confusing, and last year's plan worked fine. But this year, simply renewing could cost a lot of families more than it needs to.

The two windows that are open right now

  • Medicare Annual Enrollment: October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027. This is the time to switch Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.*3

  • New Jersey individual and family plans (Get Covered New Jersey): November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027.*4 To have new coverage start on January 1, plan to enroll by mid-December.*8

Why this year is different

The extra federal premium help that many families relied on expired at the end of 2025 and has not been renewed. New Jersey has said it expects premiums to keep rising for 2027.*5 For some households, especially those just above the old income limits, that can mean a noticeably bigger monthly bill if nothing changes.

What to look at before you renew

  • Read your plan's notice of changes. Medicare plans send an Annual Notice of Change each fall listing changes to premiums, deductibles, copays, covered drugs and in-network doctors.

  • Check your doctors and prescriptions. Networks and drug lists change every year.

  • Look at total cost, not just the premium. A lower monthly price with a much higher deductible may not save money if you see doctors regularly.

  • Update your income estimate. If you buy through Get Covered New Jersey, the help you qualify for depends on it.

For business owners

If you offer health coverage to employees, or have been thinking about starting, this is a good time to look at your options for 2027. The right choice depends on your team and your budget.

Puharic & Associates helps families, retirees and employers compare health options. One call can save a lot of guesswork. Reach us at 732-655-6200.

Sources

*3 Medicare.gov; MLCC; Bay News 9, September 30, 2026

*4 New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, press release, August 10, 2026

*5 Morristown Minute, "Get Covered NJ Keeps Jan. 31 Deadline as Premiums Rise"; Taxpayers.net, "2027 ACA Subsidy Status"

*8 Enrollment guides from New Jersey insurance brokers. Confirm the exact cutoff at getcoverednj.gov

 
 
 

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