In 1992, the New Jersey Legislature created the Individual Health Coverage (IHC) Program to ensure that people without access to employer or government sponsored health care programs could purchase health coverage for themselves and their families from a variety of private carriers. Prior to that time, few insurance companies offered policies to individuals and coverage was often inadequate, especially for people with chronic illnesses or injuries.

Today, individuals -- regardless of their age or health status -- are guaranteed renewable health coverage under standard individual plans designed by the Individual Health Coverage Program Board as well as under the Basic and Essential Plans sold by carriers.

This Buyer’s Guide* provides general information on individual health benefits plans (referred to in this Buyer’s Guide as individual plans) and is designed to help you shop for the plan that best meets your needs. Individual plans can be purchased for a Single person, Two Adults, a Family or an Adult and Child(ren). You will also want to review a list of participating carriers, their current rates and their telephone numbers. Note that the rate comparison sheets only provide rates for new purchases for the current month.

Individual plans may be purchased from a variety of carriers as either an indemnity plan (commonly known as a "traditional" or "fee-for-service" plan) or a managed care plan (a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or Point-of-Service (POS)).  The Basic and Essential Health Plan (B&E Plan) is also available as an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plan.  These plan options are explained in detail in this Buyer's Guide. 

This Buyer's Guide is being updated to provide information about the Individual Health Coverage Program and individual plans offered as of September 23, 2010.

You can learn more about the New Jersey IHC Program by browsing our Internet Web Address:  www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_insurance/ihcseh/ihcmain.htm

*This Buyer's Guide provides only a summary of the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage Program requirements and is intended to help consumers make informed decisions concerning health coverage; contract provisions govern the terms and conditions of coverage.