On January 28, the Plan Design Committee (PDC) held its regularly scheduled meeting and discussed an additional open enrollment period and rate changes for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP).
The Division of Pensions and Benefits (Division) provided a brief report indicating that they would work to schedule a special meeting of the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC), which will be held on February 11, to approve a mid-year 2026 rate change. The Division noted that they are hopeful that rates will not increase for Plan Year 2026, but provided no additional information.
The Division also reported that a special open enrollment will be held in April, with information on the special open enrollment likely to be distributed in March. At this time, we have been advised that the special open enrollment will only be for state participants in the SHBP.
The PDC additionally ratified the Resolutions 2025-10, 2025-11, 2025-12, and 2025-13 adopted on September 24, 2025. The Division made one exception concerning Resolution 2025-10, indicating that, based on additional information obtained and based on service agreements, it was beneficial for the State to keep the co-pays for lab services intact.
We will report on the February 11 SHBP meeting, and the next PDC meeting is scheduled for February 25.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112, or Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.