(Newark, NJ, Nov. 1, 2016) – New Jersey consumers looking to buy or renew health insurance during the 2016-17 Open Enrollment period will, once again, have the convenience of shopping at a mall. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ), for the third consecutive year, has opened kiosk locations – staffed with bilingual agents and offering one-on-one assistance -- at four regional shopping malls across the state.

"Now, more than ever, people are engaged in their health care. Horizon understands that there are so many choices and complexities in the health insurance enrollment process and we know how important it is to make the buying experience more convenient and personalized," said Michael J. Considine, vice president of Consumer and Small Group markets. "Horizon is dedicated to meeting people face-to-face in their communities and to help them find the best policy for their budget and health care needs," Considine added.

Considine noted that during the previous two enrollment periods, Horizon representatives at mall locations helped hundreds of consumers make informed decisions on health coverage.

Open Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Horizon BCBSNJ kiosks will be in the following mall locations from November 1 through the end of the Open Enrollment period on January 31:

• Woodbridge Center -- 250 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ.
• Ocean County Mall – 1201 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ.
• Newport Centre Mall -- 30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City, NJ.
• Willowbrook Mall -- 1400 Willowbrook Mall Rd., Wayne, NJ.

The mall kiosks feature partitioned, semi-private spaces where consumers can meet with Horizon BCBSNJ agents to ask questions about health coverage, review their eligibility for financial assistance, and get help selecting a policy. Horizon BCBSNJ agents can also help consumers find out if they’re eligible for financial assistance through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (Marketplace).

Horizon BCBSNJ is offering seven competitively priced plans on the Marketplace, including four OMNIA Health Plans for 2017. The OMNIA Health Plans offer significantly lower premiums for access to the largest network in New Jersey as well as the option to save more money on out-of-pocket costs when seeking care at certain doctors and hospitals. There are no referrals necessary with OMNIA Health Plans and dozens of wellness benefits.

Other consumer options for getting one-on-one, personalized assistance with their health insurance questions and needs include:

Visiting Horizon Connect – Moorestown - The first and only retail center of its kind in New Jersey – East Gate Square Shopping Center. 1680 Nixon Drive. Hours of operation: M-F 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For appointments (optional), call 1-855-702-6663. Horizon Connect agents have served close to 17,000 customers since the retail center opened its doors in the fall of 2012.

Visiting Horizon Connect – Newark – Horizon BCBSNJ agents are available to answer consumers' questions and assist them with purchasing coverage at a retail center established at the company's Newark location – 3 Penn Plaza East. M-F 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For appointments, call: 888-765-7656 (The Newark location is not open Saturdays)

Visiting HolaDoctor Insurance Services – Jersey City – HolaDoctor will provide North Jersey residents with one-on-one assistance from bilingual agents who will help them enroll in an affordable Horizon BCBSNJ insurance plan and provide them with ongoing service throughout the year at its Jersey City location – 353 Central Ave. M-F 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Visiting HolaDoctor Insurance Services – Perth Amboy – Horizon BCBSNJ is proud to announce the opening of the newest HolaDoctor location in Perth Amboy – 197 Smith Street. M-F 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Calling a dedicated Sales Executive – Trained agents are available at 800-224-1234 M-F, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sat. & Sun 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

###

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.8 million members.

About HolaDoctor
HolaDoctor® is a leader in health services for Hispanics. Founded in 1999, HolaDoctor® manages the largest online community of Hispanics interested in health and wellness and is the exclusive health insurance partner of Univision Interactive Media. HolaDoctor also offers strategic marketing, communications and consulting services to healthcare companies looking to do business with Hispanic consumers. The company has extensive experience with health insurance, obesity and diabetes among other areas which are essential to increasing access to care and reducing disparities among Hispanics. HolaDoctor is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with offices in South Florida and Latin America. For more information, visit www.holadoctor.net.

###