TRENTON, N.J., December 20 – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and the New Jersey state government have unveiled a plan that could provide health insurance for 15,000 more children by expanding the existing NJ FamilyCare program.

The new program begins after January 1, according to an announcement by Governor Jon Corzine at a brief ceremony attended by Insurance Commissioner Steven Goldman, Horizon officials, and legislators.

Corzine said the expansion would allow families of four whose income exceeds $72,275 to enroll in the program. That income level had previously made them ineligible for FamilyCare administered by Horizon.

Under the new buy-in provisions, families would pay monthly premiums of $137 for one child; $274 for two children; and $411 for a family with three or more children.

The officials said there are a few restrictions to the buy-in program. Families with more than one child must enroll all children and must demonstrate their children did not have health care coverage in the previous six months.

These requirements are necessary, the officials said, to prevent individuals who currently have health insurance from dropping that coverage to get into the new program.

Karen Clark, president of Horizon NJ Health said the corporation is delighted to play a part in covering additional uninsured children through the expansion of New Jersey FamilyCare.

Goldman commended Horizon for its admirable display of citizenship and civic responsibility demonstrated by its willingness to be the provider.

State Senator Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge), who sponsored the law creating the new program, said he hopes the expansion will bring health insurance to 40,000 more children. He said he plans to introduce legislation next year for health insurance coverage for all residents of the state.

Officials reported that New Jersey now has health insurance for 750,000 children through the Medicaid program (572,000 children) and FamilyCare (178,000).

The governor said the expansion would not cost the state additional funds.

The state and federal government subsidize the Medicaid program and the existing SCHIP program.