Dear Parent (s)/Guardian(s):

Governor Corzine has made a commitment for New Jersey to provide universal health insurance to children and affordable options for parents/guardians with the recent signing of new legislation.  This new law mandates that all children age 18 and under have health insurance. 

The requirement for health insurance coverage can be met in a variety of ways: (1) through a health insurance plan provided by your employer; (2) through a health insurance policy you purchase directly; and (3) through NJ FamilyCare which provides free or low cost insurance for children and their parents/guardians.  Enrollment in school insurance only does not satisfy this new mandate.  For more information about NJ Family Care or to apply, please call 1-800-701-0710 or visit www.njfamilycare.org.

Parents or guardians who earn too much to qualify for NJ FamilyCare can purchase health insurance for their children at reasonable rates through another program called the NJ FamilyCare Advantage program, which is administered by Horizon NJ Health.  For more information about this program, please call NJ FamilyCare Advantage at 1-800-637-2997.

As the law also requires, the New Jersey Department of Education is now assisting the New Jersey Department of Human Services in its efforts to identify uninsured children and to help families access free or low cost health insurance or visit www.horizonNJhealth.com.

Healthy children make better students!  Our goal is to assist all New Jersey families in securing no cost or affordable insurance which will provide access to quality healthcare.  If you have any questions about this new requirement, please call 1-800-701-0710. 

Sincerely,

Lucille E. Davy                                   Commissioner                                   Department of Education