• The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance received a federal Exchange Planning grant of $1 million in 2010.

• The Department of Banking and Insurance received a Level One Establishment grant of $7.7 million to address gaps in information technology and to continue to planning efforts and policy analysis of issues such as reinsurance, projected plan cost and utilization, standards for plan management, and essential health benefits, as of February 22, 2012.

• Since the state did not determine a benchmark EHB plan New Jersey will default to the largest small-group plan in the state, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield- HMO Access.

• Governor Christie vetoed legislation which would have established a state-based exchange.

• Before reaching a determination, an inter-agency working group contracted with Rutgers University in the planning effort.

• The Center for State Health Policy collected and analyzed stakeholder input  to advise on how an exchange should be implemented an run.

• The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in New Jersey beginning in 2014, unless the state decides to operate either a state-based exchange or state-federal partnership exchange. If New Jersey opts for a state-based exchange, it must submit an exchange blueprint consisting of a declaration letter signed by the Governor and an application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by December 14, 2012. If, instead, the state opts for a partnership exchange, it must submit a blueprint by February 15, 2013.

For More Information:

• http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A3500/3186_R1.PDF