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Medicare Plans New Jersey 2027

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 8, 2026

New Jersey residents can choose Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with Medigap and Part D for 2027, but the Medicare Advantage market is shifting sharply: Braven Health leaves all 21 counties and Horizon BCBS New Jersey offers only Special Needs Plans.

Devoted Health enters New Jersey for 2027 and Clover Health continues. New Jersey SHIP offers free counseling.

✔ Licensed in all 50 states

✔ Based on CMS 2027 data

✔ Free plan comparison

Key Highlights

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Braven exits all 21 counties.

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Horizon: SNP-only.

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Devoted enters NJ.

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The national average 2027 Medicare Advantage premium is $12 a month, down from $14.37 (CMS).

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Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Medicare Options in New Jersey

Key Takeaway

Your county decides which Medicare Advantage plans you can choose. Medigap and Part D plans are available statewide.

Feature HMO PPO
Out-of-network care Not covered except emergencies and urgent care Covered at a higher cost
Referrals for specialists Usually required Usually not required
Premiums Usually lower Usually higher
Out-of-pocket maximum In-network limit In-network limit plus a higher combined limit
Best for Lower costs, local care Flexibility, travel, keeping specific doctors

Benefits New Jersey Plans May Offer

New Jersey Plans May Include

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Hospital and medical coverage, the same as Original Medicare Part A and B

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Part D prescription drug coverage on most plans

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Routine dental, vision and hearing benefits

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Fitness programs and over-the-counter allowances

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Telehealth visits and care coordination programs

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum on every plan

Not all plans offer all benefits. Benefits vary by plan and county and can change for 2027. Check each plan’s Evidence of Coverage before you enroll.

Medicare plans New Jersey

New Jersey Changes for 2027

Nationally, large insurers are trimming PPOs and pulling plans from some counties for 2027. In New Jersey, read your Annual Notice of Change, and if you received a non-renewal letter, choose a new plan before December 31, 2026.

Insurer Key 2027 Changes
UnitedHealthcare 852 plans (up from 846); standard plans pulled from about 140 counties; leaving Wyoming; 34 PPOs cut
Humana 861 plans (down from 887); leaving 57 counties and Minnesota; 37 PPOs cut; about 600,000 members’ plans ending
Aetna (CVS Health) 654 plans (up from 642); standard plans pulled from 123 counties; leaving Maryland and New Hampshire; 20 PPOs cut; 29 C-SNPs added
HCSC (including HealthSpring) From 948 counties to about 478; leaving CT, KS, MT, NY, OR, UT and D.C.; 48 PPOs cut
Centene (Wellcare) Standard plans pulled from 344 counties; leaving Hawaii, Oklahoma and Tennessee
Elevance (Anthem) Standard plans pulled from 56 counties; leaving South Carolina
Devoted Health Adding 342 counties; entering CT, MI, NH, NJ and NY

Source: CMS 2027 landscape data as reported by Becker’s, October 1, 2026, and company announcements. Wellmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi are also exiting Medicare Advantage for 2027.

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New Jersey Medicare Advantage Changes

Insurer 2027 Change in New Jersey
Braven Health Leaving Medicare Advantage in all 21 New Jersey counties
Horizon BCBS New Jersey Offering Special Needs Plans only
Devoted Health Entering New Jersey
Clover Health Continuing in New Jersey, one of its core states, with a new PPO

Guaranteed issue: if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you generally can buy certain Medicare Supplement plans without health questions, until 63 days after your coverage ends.

Braven Health Members

If You Have Braven Health

1

Read your non-renewal letter. Braven coverage continues through December 31, 2026.

2

Gather your doctor and drug list. This is the fastest way to test new plans.

3

Compare Medicare Advantage plans in your county. Look at Devoted, Clover and other insurers serving your area.

4

Consider Original Medicare with Medigap. Losing your plan generally gives you a guaranteed issue right to certain Medigap plans, generally within 63 days after coverage ends.

5

Add Part D if you choose Medigap. Medigap does not include drugs.

Medicare Advantage plans in New Jersey

Medigap and Part D in New Jersey

Medigap and standalone Part D plans are sold statewide in New Jersey. Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G ($3,050 deductible for 2027) are the common choices for new enrollees, and benefits match by plan letter, so compare prices for the same letter.

Medicare Advantage in New Jersey

Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is a way to get your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare. The plan covers everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover, except hospice care, which Original Medicare still pays. Most plans also include Part D drug coverage, and many may add extras such as routine dental, vision and hearing benefits.

In exchange, Medicare Advantage plans generally use networks of doctors and hospitals, and may require referrals or prior authorization for some services. Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly out-of-pocket maximum for covered medical care, which Original Medicare does not have. You keep paying your Part B premium, plus your plan’s premium if it has one.

Advantages

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Often a low or $0 premium

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum

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Drug coverage usually included

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Many plans may include dental, vision and hearing benefits

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One card and one plan

Tradeoffs

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Networks; HMOs require in-network care except emergencies

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Prior authorization and referrals are common

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Copays add up if you use a lot of care

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Plans and networks can change every year

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Switching to Medigap later may require health questions

Medicare Supplement Plans in New Jersey

If you prefer Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan pays some or all of what Medicare leaves behind, and lets you see any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. Benefits are standardized by plan letter, so compare prices for the same letter across insurers.

Plan What You Pay Best For
Plan G The Part B deductible; after that, Medicare-approved costs are covered Most complete coverage for new enrollees
Plan N Part B deductible, copays up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for some ER visits, and Part B excess charges Lower premium, accepts small copays
High-Deductible Plan G A yearly deductible, then coverage like Plan G Healthy people who want the lowest premium

Medigap benefits are standardized by plan letter. Prices vary by insurer, age, ZIP code and tobacco use.

Watch for: outside your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue right, most states let insurers ask health questions and decline you or charge more.

Part D Drug Plans in New Jersey

$700

Maximum 2027 Part D deductible, up from $615.

$2,400

2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap, up from $2,100.

About $36

Average 2027 standalone Part D premium, up less than $1 (CMS).

$7

Projected average drug portion of a Medicare Advantage premium for 2027, down from $11.32.

Staying on Original Medicare in New Jersey means you should add a separate Part D plan. Use the 2027 Part D plan finder to compare options against your exact medications and pharmacies.

If Your Plan Is Ending

If your plan will not be offered in your county for 2027, you should have received a non-renewal notice in early October. Your coverage does not stop right away: it continues through December 31, 2026, so you have time to choose.

If Your Plan Is Ending

1

Read the non-renewal letter. It confirms your plan is ending and explains your options.

2

List your doctors and drugs. You will need them to compare replacement plans.

3

Compare plans for 2027. Check networks, drug coverage and the out-of-pocket maximum, not just the premium.

4

Choose by December 31 for no gap. Enrolling during Annual Enrollment by December 7 gives you coverage on January 1, 2027.

5

Use your Special Enrollment Period if needed. People whose plans end generally can still make a choice through the end of February 2027.

If you do nothing: you return to Original Medicare on January 1, 2027, without drug coverage unless you choose a Part D plan. Going without drug coverage can lead to a late enrollment penalty.

Medigap rights: when your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medicare Supplement plans without health questions, up to 63 days after your coverage ends.

How to Compare New Jersey Plans for 2027

How to Compare

1

Read your Annual Notice of Change. It lists every change to your current plan for 2027.

2

Check your doctors and hospitals. Confirm each provider is in the 2027 network, not just the 2026 one.

3

Check your prescriptions. Confirm each drug, its tier and any prior authorization or step therapy rules.

4

Compare total yearly cost. Add the premium, typical copays and drug costs, and look at the out-of-pocket maximum.

5

Check star ratings. Medicare rates plans from 1 to 5 stars on quality and service.

6

Enroll by December 7. Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.

2027 Enrollment Dates

Enrollment Period Dates What You Can Do
Annual Enrollment Period October 15 to December 7, 2026 Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for January 1, 2027
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment January 1 to March 31, 2027 If you are in Medicare Advantage, switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare once
Initial Enrollment Period 7 months around your 65th birthday month Sign up for Medicare and choose your first plan
Special Enrollment Periods Varies Change plans after events like moving, losing other coverage or your plan leaving your area

Most people make changes during Annual Enrollment. If you are happy with your current plan, you do not have to do anything; it renews automatically. Still, read your Annual Notice of Change, because premiums, copays, networks and drug lists can all change on January 1.

Special Needs Plans

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans built for specific groups. Benefits, networks and drug lists are designed around the members they serve, and many include care coordinators. For 2027, Special Needs Plans are one of the few areas where large insurers are adding plans, even as they cut PPOs.

Type Who Qualifies What Is Different
Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) People with both Medicare and Medicaid Coordinates both programs; often very low costs and added benefits
Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP) People with qualifying conditions such as diabetes, heart failure or chronic lung disease Doctors, drugs and programs built around the condition
Institutional SNP (I-SNP) People living in a nursing home or who need that level of care at home Care delivered where the member lives

Turning 65 in 2027

If you turn 65 in 2027, your Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month and the three months after. Signing up during the first three months means your coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month.

Turning 65 Checklist

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Sign up for Part A and Part B, unless you have qualifying employer coverage and choose to delay Part B

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Decide between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with Medigap

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Join a drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan with drugs, to avoid a Part D late penalty

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If you choose Medigap, buy during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Help Paying Medicare Costs

If your income and savings are limited, two programs can cut your Medicare costs sharply:

Medicare Savings Programs

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Run by your state Medicaid office

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Can pay your Part B premium, and sometimes deductibles and coinsurance

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Income and asset limits vary by state

Extra Help (Part D)

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Run by Social Security

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Lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays

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People in a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically

Those who are eligible for Medicare along with full Medicaid might also have the option of enrolling in a Dual Special Needs Plan. Learn more about help for low-income Part D beneficiaries.

Free Medicare Help in New Jersey

New Jersey SHIP offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling in New Jersey. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE any time or compare plans with a licensed agent at no cost.

Free Help Comparing Plans

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Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, available any time

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1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free, unbiased counseling

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A licensed insurance agent or broker, who can compare plans from several insurers at no cost to you

Before any call, have your Medicare card, your list of drugs and doses, your doctors and your preferred pharmacies ready. It turns a long conversation into a short one.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

New Jersey offers Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D choices for 2027. Compare plans in your county and enroll during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What Medicare plans are available in New Jersey for 2027?

New Jersey residents can choose Medicare Advantage plans, which vary by county, or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan and a Part D drug plan, which are sold statewide. Compare both paths during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

➤ Is Braven Health leaving Medicare Advantage?

Yes. Braven Health is leaving Medicare Advantage in all 21 New Jersey counties for 2027. Members keep coverage through December 31, 2026, get a Special Enrollment Period and generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans.

➤ Is Horizon Blue Cross leaving Medicare Advantage in New Jersey?

Horizon BCBS New Jersey is moving to Special Needs Plans only for 2027. People who qualify for a Special Needs Plan may still have Horizon options, while others should read their notice and compare other plans.

➤ Is Devoted Health available in New Jersey?

Yes. Devoted Health is entering New Jersey for 2027 as part of an expansion of 342 counties nationally. Because the plans are new, they may not have a star rating yet, so compare networks and costs carefully.

➤ Does Clover Health still offer plans in New Jersey?

Yes. Clover Health continues in its five states, with New Jersey as one of its core markets, and adds a new PPO for 2027. Confirm which Clover plans serve your county and whether your doctors participate.

➤ Can I switch to Medigap in New Jersey if my plan ends?

Yes. If your Medicare Advantage plan is not renewing, you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans without health questions, generally within 63 days after coverage ends. Add a Part D plan for drug coverage.

➤ What is the average Medicare Advantage premium for 2027?

The national average Medicare Advantage premium for 2027 is $12 a month, down from $14.37. New Jersey premiums depend on the plan and county, so compare total yearly costs rather than relying on the average.

➤ What are the 2027 Part D costs?

For 2027 the maximum Part D deductible is $700, up from $615, and the out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs is $2,400, up from $2,100. These limits apply to standalone Part D plans and Medicare Advantage drug coverage.

➤ Who offers free Medicare counseling in New Jersey?

New Jersey SHIP offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Counselors can help Braven and Horizon members understand their options and compare plans without selling you a policy. The service is free and open to anyone with Medicare, including caregivers helping a family member.

➤ What happens if I miss the December 7 deadline?

If your plan is ending, you still have a Special Enrollment Period to pick new coverage. Otherwise, people in Medicare Advantage can make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027. Missing both windows usually means waiting until next fall.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-398-0716

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-398-0716TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

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