The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) issued Bulletin 24-05 on May 14, 2024 updating Bulletin 24-03 to expand the unwinding special enrollment period and clarify the guaranteed issue period for Medicare Supplement plans. Insurance carriers and consumers who update an existing application or submit a new one for coverage through Get Covered New Jersey between March 31, 2023 and November 30, 2024 and certify they have lost Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for that period will be eligible for an Unwinding Special Enrollment Period (Unwinding SEP). The Unwinding SEP is extended for all qualified individuals who lost NJ FamilyCare coverage between March 31, 2023 and November 30, 2024 as well.

DOBI further directs insurance carriers marketing Medicare Supplement plans for 65 years old and over to apply for a Medicare Supplement plan with a six-month guaranteed issue period. The guaranteed issue period begins from the date of enrollment in a Medicare Part B plan. This also applies to individuals who lost NJ FamilyCare coverage beginning from the date of Medicaid termination or the date of the Bulletin, whichever is later. The guaranteed issue period is not based on the date of enrollment in Medicare Part B, as long as the individual lost Medicaid coverage during the unwinding period. 

All insurance carriers should inform consumers that they may re-apply for coverage if they applied for a Medicare Supplement plan due to loss of Medicaid since March 31, 2023 and their application was denied.