This bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary hearing aids for children under 15 years old. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual policies, and group health plans. Key provisions include coverage for hearing aids for each ear when prescribed by a doctor or audiologist, a $1,000 annual benefit limit per hearing aid per ear, and allowing patients to pay extra for more expensive devices without penalty to providers. The bill does not extend coverage to adults, despite its title suggesting "all ages."
This bill requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to create a 60-day special enrollment period when a provider leaves their network. It directly affects insured individuals who would lose access to their current healthcare providers due to a network change. The special period begins 60 days before the carrier-provider contract expires, giving enrollees time to switch plans. The Department of Banking and Insurance will determine how carriers notify affected individuals about this window. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
S 1239 creates a "Manufacturing Reboot Program" within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA), providing financial assistance to eligible manufacturing businesses affected by the pandemic. It appropriates $10 million from the state General Fund - $5 million prioritizing businesses producing coronavirus vaccines and $5 million for other healthcare products like PPE or medical devices - to fund grants of $25,000-$150,000 per business. Qualified businesses must operate facilities with over 50% manufacturing equipment, pay above-average salaries with health benefits, and demonstrate market expansion or capacity to pivot to healthcare manufacturing. Grant funds can cover equipment, payroll, or employee training, with businesses required to report quarterly on employment and spending, and the EDA to submit annual program reports to the Governor and Legislature.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to pay inpatient hospitals the same reimbursement rate for long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs as is paid for the same drugs in outpatient settings. It mandates that this reimbursement be separate from standard hospital payment systems (like DRGs) and based on the actual drug cost, not a fixed hospital payment. The policy directly affects inpatient providers (such as hospitals) treating patients with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The change aims to better align reimbursement with the true cost of these drugs, which can improve patient access and outcomes by reducing hospital readmissions.
This Senate Resolution (SR 32) urges New Jersey's State Boards of Medical Examiners, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy to require ongoing training for healthcare professionals on opioid pain medication. The resolution specifically calls for continuing education covering responsible prescribing practices, non-opioid pain management alternatives, and recognizing signs of opioid misuse or addiction. It applies to all prescribers (like doctors, dentists, pharmacists) and relevant non-prescribers (such as nurses) who interact with patients on opioids. The resolution is non-binding and recommends these requirements remain in effect for two license renewal cycles, unless extended by the boards.
S 1493 updates New Jersey's occupational therapy licensure requirements by clarifying definitions and expanding recognized practice areas. It directly affects licensed occupational therapists, assistants, and the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council by adding LGBTQIA+ health, pelvic health, disaster management, and other modern practice areas to the scope of "occupational therapy services." The bill defines key terms like "continuing competence" (requiring documented professional development for license renewal) and "occupational performance" (covering daily life skills and health). These changes ensure licensure rules align with current practice standards without altering eligibility or fees.
This bill establishes an Office on Women's Health within New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and requires it to provide grants to community organizations and small businesses. The grants fund specific research and innovation projects focused on women's health, including studies on conditions affecting women across their lifespans (like menopause-related health issues), addressing health disparities, developing research standards, and using innovation tools like prizes to spur progress. It also directs the office to create public-private partnerships, serve as a resource center, and coordinate health programs across state agencies. The bill aims to accelerate research translation into treatments and improve health outcomes for women.
This bill requires all students in grades six through twelve at public and nonpublic schools to undergo a physical examination using the "Preparticipation Physical Evaluation" form, including a cardiac component. It directly affects every student in these grades, expanding the current requirement (which applied only to athletes) to all students. The key mechanism mandates that the healthcare provider performing the exam must certify completion of a cardiac screening training module, and schools must retain this certification. The policy takes effect for the 2023-2024 school year.
S 1066 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to create a public awareness campaign focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes. The campaign will provide accessible information through a state website, including hospital data on cesarean births and breastfeeding rates to help women choose care providers, promote shared decision-making during childbirth, and share resources about breastfeeding, pregnancy discrimination rights, family leave options, and Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. It specifically directs healthcare providers to document patient birth plans in medical records and encourages the use of high-value care options like midwives and lactation support. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to maternity care information for all women and children across racial and ethnic backgrounds. The campaign must coordinate with existing efforts to avoid duplication.
This bill requires healthcare providers in New Jersey to provide patients (or parents/guardians for minors) with specific vaccine information at least 48 hours before administration, including the vaccine insert, a list of ingredients beyond the vaccine itself, and details about the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Patients must return a signed consent form confirming they received this information before getting vaccinated. Providers must also explain the option to decline the vaccine and the potential consequences, such as risks of disease transmission or school attendance restrictions without a medical or religious exemption. The bill prohibits providers from refusing care or transferring patients solely due to vaccine refusal.
