UnitedHealthcare’s Oxford announces New Jersey-only health care network

UnitedHealthcare's Oxford division is launching a New Jersey-only network of doctors and hospitals that will provide lower-cost health plans to employers who use the 18,000 doctors and 65 hospitals in the new Oxford Garden State Network.

Chuck Cerniglia, vice president, small business sales for UnitedHealthcare, said employers on average will see 10 percent lower health insurance premiums if they choose the new health plans in the Garden State Network, which launches Sept. 1.

"It limits access to New Jersey-only providers and it is a solution for New Jersey employers where a smaller network offers a reduction in cost," he said.

He added that employers will continue to have the option of offering their employees the company's larger networks alongside the more limited - but also more affordable - Garden State network. He said while a New Jersey-only network won't work for all employers, many clearly are seeking less-expensive health care options.

"There needs to be more competitive, lowercost (health plans) in the marketplace that employers can take advantage of," Cerniglia said.

The network has 13 different plan designs that follow the Affordable Care Act guidelines.

Cerniglia said for some New Jersey employers "this will be the perfect option for them."

"This could be the defining line of offering coverage or not offering coverage if it hits the right price point." -Beth Fitzgerald