New Jersey
Medicare help in New Jersey
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the New Jersey rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
SHIP
New Jersey State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is New Jersey's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in New Jersey
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
New Jersey Medicaid runs New Jersey's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
New Jersey uses the federal income limits.
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
New Jersey drug assistance programs
PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled)
Who qualifies: New Jersey residents 65 or older, or 18 to 64 and getting Social Security disability, with 2026 income under $54,943 single or $62,390 married.
What it pays: Your Part D premium for plans at or below the regional benchmark, and copays of $5 for generics and $7 for brand-name drugs.
Call 1-800-792-9745
Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program
Who qualifies: The same groups, with 2026 income from $54,943 to $64,943 single or $62,390 to $72,390 married.
What it pays: After Part D, you pay $15 plus half the remaining cost of each drug. It doesn't pay premiums.
Call 1-800-792-9745
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, New Jersey's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with New Jersey Medicaid before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance licenses insurance agents in New Jersey. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in New Jersey
Switching plans later
New Jersey has no yearly switching window. After your first 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers can ask health questions before selling you a different policy, unless you have a federal guaranteed issue right. How switching works.
If you're under 65
Insurers in New Jersey must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare (at least Plan D must be offered). Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in New Jersey
Where can I get free Medicare help in New Jersey?
New Jersey State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is New Jersey's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-792-8820.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-800-446-7467.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in New Jersey?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through New Jersey Medicaid (1-800-701-0710). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. New Jersey uses the federal income limits. New Jersey's free SHIP counselors (1-800-792-8820) can help you apply.
Does New Jersey help pay for prescriptions?
New Jersey has state drug assistance programs: PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled) and Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program. Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, also lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income.
Does New Jersey have a Medigap birthday rule?
Not as of the NAIC's May 11, 2026 chart. Outside your first 6-month Medigap window and federal guaranteed issue rights, insurers in New Jersey can ask health questions before selling you a different policy.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in New Jersey?
Insurers in New Jersey must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare (at least Plan D must be offered). Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official New Jersey sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.