Health & Medicare
Medicare made plain, long-term care, and free ways to stay well in New Jersey.
4 in-depth guides
Medicare 101 for New Jerseyans turning 65
The parts, the deadlines, the 2026 costs and the penalties that last a lifetime. Here is how to get Medicare right the first time, with a month-by-month plan and free help from SHIP.
Medicare Advantage or Medigap? How to choose in New Jersey
Open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Here is how the two paths really differ, the New Jersey Medigap rules most people never hear about, and the questions to ask before you sign.
NJ FamilyCare and MLTSS: how Medicaid pays for long-term care
Medicare does not pay for long-term care. In New Jersey, Medicaid's MLTSS program can, at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home. Here are the 2026 limits, the five-year look-back and how to apply.
Staying well in New Jersey: falls, checkups, hearing and more
Free balance classes, the Medicare checkups you are already paying for, cheaper hearing aids, and where to turn in a heat wave or a hard month. A practical wellness guide for New Jerseyans 60 and up.
Questions people ask
Do I have to sign up for Medicare if I am still working?
Not always. If your employer has 20 or more employees and you have coverage through current work, you can usually delay Part B without penalty. Many people still take premium-free Part A. If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare usually pays first, so you generally need Part B at 65.
Is COBRA enough to avoid the Part B penalty?
No. COBRA does not count as coverage from current employment. Your eight-month Special Enrollment Period is measured from when the job or the group coverage ends, whichever comes first, even if you then take COBRA.
When can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?
During Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). Getting a Medigap policy is a separate step, and outside a guaranteed issue situation the insurer in New Jersey may ask health questions.
Does New Jersey have a Medigap birthday rule?
No. As of 2026 New Jersey does not give a yearly birthday window to switch Medigap plans without health questions. Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period at 65 is the key window.
Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
Only for short skilled stays after a qualifying hospital stay, up to 100 days with a daily coinsurance after day 20. It does not pay for long-term custodial care. In New Jersey, Medicaid through MLTSS is the main public payer for long-term care.
What is the 2026 income limit for MLTSS?
$2,982 a month for the applicant. If income is higher, a Qualified Income Trust may allow you to qualify.
Are fall prevention classes free in New Jersey?
Many are free or low cost through county Offices on Aging, senior centers and libraries. Cost varies by location. Call the ADRC at 1-877-222-3737 or, for A Matter of Balance, 609-438-4797.
Is the Medicare yearly Wellness visit really free?
Yes, if your provider accepts assignment. You may owe a copay if the doctor also treats a problem or orders tests that are not part of the preventive benefit.
Stay in touch
Leave your email and we'll share news from Seniors of NJ now and then. No spam, and you can unsubscribe any time.