Best Health Insurance Agencies in Jersey City

Frequently Asked Questions

• Introduction

  If you're looking for health insurance for yourself or your family, an agent can help you save time, understand your options, and manage your costs. Insurance agents must be licensed in the state where they operate. They can provide information about on- and off-exchange plans to help you weigh all of your options, and they can see if you qualify for tax credits that can lower your monthly premiums. There's no cost to work with an agent, and they can help you save quite a bit by recommending the best plan for your needs. Here's what you should know before you get started.
  

• Is it a requirement to have health insurance in Jersey City?

  Jersey City residents are bound by New Jersey's State Individual Mandate, which necessitates having health insurance with minimum essential coverage year-round. This policy ensures uninterrupted access to healthcare services. Individuals who do not comply or qualify for an exemption are subject to a Shared Responsibility Payment when they file their Income Tax returns. This approach serves to promote healthcare coverage and financial responsibility among all Jersey City residents, ultimately contributing to the community's overall well-being.

• Are there any exemptions so you can bypass the health insurance mandate in Jersey City?

  According to New Jersey's State Individual Mandate, taxpayers must have health insurance throughout the year. However, Jersey City residents may be eligible for exemptions. Some of the exemptions available include earning less than a certain level of income, having no affordable coverage options, experiencing a short gap in coverage, or enduring hardship.

• Can young adults be dependents on their parents' health insurance coverage in Jersey City?

  Depending on the individual's age. As long as their child/children are 30 years old or younger, parents in Jersey City can add them as dependents on their health insurance plan. They must also be uninsured, single, and residents of the state or full-time students. Employers are not required to contribute to young adult health insurance coverage. Furthermore, even if they cover residents in New Jersey, this law does not apply to large companies' self-insured plans or plans issued and delivered outside of the state.

• Can parents be considered dependents on a health insurance plan in Jersey City?

  In Jersey City, individuals can add elderly parents, stepparents, or parents-in-law to their health insurance plans by claiming them as dependents on their federal income tax returns. For those considering this option, consulting with a tax professional is recommended due to the stringent eligibility requirements outlined by the IRS. To qualify, the parents must be US citizens or residents, have a gross income of less than $4,300 annually, not be someone else's legal dependent, and have more than half of their financial needs covered by the taxpayer each year.

• If you get a divorce in Jersey City, will you lose your health insurance through your ex-spouse's plan?

  Yes, non-spouses in Jersey City cannot be covered by an employer's health insurance plan. Even if you and your ex-spouse agree to remain civil or have a good relationship and wish to remain on the same health insurance plan, you cannot remain on your ex-spouse's policy if you are divorced. Ex-spouses are no longer considered family and therefore cannot be covered as such.

• How can you find affordable health insurance? 

  Affordable insurance is available through employers, Medicare, Medicaid, and the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers subsidies in the form of tax credits. You can also purchase coverage through private insurance companies and independent agents. Nearly half of all Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance, and about 10% of the population is uninsured.