Can I sign up for a Medigap plan anytime in the year in New Jersey?

Yes, you can apply for a Medigap plan at any time of the year in New Jersey. Unlike Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, Medigap does not have a strict annual fall enrollment window. However, timing matters significantly: Your best time to apply is during your one-time, 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which automatically begins the month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, coverage is guaranteed. If you apply outside of this 6-month window (or without a qualifying Guaranteed Issue event), private insurance companies will use medical underwriting. They can look at your health history, charge you higher premium rates, or deny you coverage entirely based on pre-existing conditions.

Do I need Medicare Part A and Part B to get a Medigap plan in New Jersey?

Yes, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to purchase a Medigap policy in New Jersey. Medicare Supplement plans are designed strictly to supplement Original Medicare. They help pay for your out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance left behind by Parts A and B. If you drop your Part B coverage, your Medigap policy will automatically terminate.

Does New Jersey have a birthday rule?

No, New Jersey does not currently have a Medigap birthday rule. While several states allow residents to switch to a different Medicare Supplement plan of equal or lesser coverage around their birthday without health questions, New Jersey does not offer this annual protection. Once your initial enrollment window closes, switching Medigap plans or carriers in New Jersey usually requires going through medical underwriting. However, new birthday rule legislation is being passed in states every year so keep an eye on New Jersey laws in the future.

What age does Medicare start in New Jersey?

For the vast majority of New Jersey residents, Medicare eligibility begins at age 65. You can sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period, which surrounds your 65th birthday. However, you can qualify for Medicare before age 65 if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). New Jersey requires insurers to offer Medigap coverage to disabled individuals under 65. If you became eligible for Medicare due to a disability after January 1, 2020, you have a right to enroll in Medigap Plan D. When you finally turn 65, you get a fresh, brand-new 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period to choose any plan on the market at the standard, preferred rates.

Do I need prescription drug coverage in New Jersey?

Medigap plans sold today do not include prescription drug coverage. Federal law prohibited Medigap policies from offering drug coverage starting way back in 2006. You aren’t legally required to buy a prescription plan. However, if you do not enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D plan (or have creditable drug coverage through an employer, union, or VA) when you are first eligible, you will face a permanent, lifelong late enrollment penalty added to your Part D premiums when you sign up down the road.

2026 Medigap Plans in New Jersey | Costs, Carriers, FAQs

Age	Avg. Monthly Rate
65	$223/mo
70	$249/mo
75	$287/mo
80	$330/mo

CARRIERS

Medicare Supplement Insurance Providers in New Jersey