See below Brief Notes form Horizon regarding this topic.
Applies to: Small Employer groups enrolled in SHOP plans
Horizon is withdrawing Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) health and prescription drug plans from the market, following approval from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI). This change affects Small Employer groups enrolled in these plans at their 2027 renewal anniversary dates (January through December).
What This Means for Your Clients
Any client currently covered by one of these withdrawn plans will be required to select new coverage, as their existing plan will not be renewed and will no longer be available after the anniversary date. The withdrawal is being applied uniformly and is not based on the claims experience of any group or any health‑related factors of current or future employees.
What to Expect
Your clients will receive notice, including a 90-day notice prior to their non-renewal date, reminding them of the plan withdrawal and the need to take action before their anniversary dates.
Impacted groups that wish to continue coverage with Horizon will need to select a new health plan and, if applicable, prescription drug coverage from Horizon’s remaining small group product portfolio. Horizon will provide information about available plan options and recommended replacement plans.
We encourage you to contact impacted clients promptly to review available coverage options and assist groups with plan selection.
Next Steps
You and the impacted groups will be sent a 60-day Withdrawal Notification by the end of July.
If a group wishes to continue coverage with Horizon, they will need to select a new plan prior to its anniversary date, as Horizon will not automatically convert any group into a new product or plan.
You will receive an impacted group listing for your review within the next few weeks. Please ensure these groups review their options and complete plan selection prior to their anniversary dates to avoid a gap in coverage.
If a group does not select new coverage prior to its anniversary date, coverage will terminate because the withdrawn plan will no longer be available for renewal.