This bill (S 2672) requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, individual policies, group plans, and health maintenance organizations - to cover planned home childbirth costs. It mandates coverage for services provided by healthcare providers (like midwives, nurses, and doctors), doulas, and necessary medical equipment, at the same level as other covered medical services. The law applies to all insurance contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey after its effective date, regardless of whether premiums can be adjusted. This directly affects insurance companies and Medicaid by expanding coverage options for individuals choosing home births.
This Senate Resolution (SR 39) urges Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain current funding levels for ambulance service reimbursements for veterans. It directly affects veterans in New Jersey - 338,012 of whom rely on federal reimbursements to cover ambulance costs averaging $400-$600 per trip. The resolution highlights that proposed funding cuts could create financial barriers for veterans, reduce ambulance services (especially in rural areas with hospital closures), and shift costs to state/local governments without adequate resources. It does not change funding but formally requests federal entities not to reduce existing reimbursement rates.
This bill limits out-of-pocket costs for asthma inhalers under New Jersey health insurance plans. It requires hospital, medical, and health service plans sold in the state to cover prescribed asthma inhalers with no deductible and capping copayments or coinsurance at $35 per 30-day supply. The law applies to all covered individuals who receive a prescription from a participating doctor or nurse practitioner. Plans may offer lower costs but cannot exceed the $35 limit for this specific coverage.
This bill sets a minimum payment rate for out-of-state hospitals that serve significant numbers of NJ pediatric Medicaid patients. Specifically, hospitals providing care to 10,000+ unique NJ FamilyCare pediatric beneficiaries annually must receive at least 125% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate from the state where they are licensed. It directly affects qualifying out-of-state hospitals, ensuring they are compensated fairly for services to NJ's pediatric Medicaid enrollees. The change aims to maintain access to care by preventing underpayment that could reduce hospital participation in the program.
S 2683 requires all health care providers (like doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners) working in New Jersey urgent care facilities to hold the same licenses and qualifications as those needed for emergency room staff at general hospitals. This applies to providers treating acute but non-life-threatening conditions through walk-in care. The bill immediately mandates this credential parity for all urgent care facilities, aligning their staffing standards with hospital emergency departments.
This bill requires health insurance plans covering groups of 50+ people in New Jersey to include infertility treatment coverage. It mandates coverage for specific services like IVF, embryo transfer, medications, and up to four egg retrievals per person, with limitations for certain procedures (e.g., IVF only after trying less expensive options and under age 45). Religious employers may opt out of covering some procedures (like IVF) if it conflicts with their beliefs, but must provide clear written notice in 10-point font. The law applies to hospital and medical service corporation contracts but excludes Medicaid programs like NJ FamilyCare. It aims to standardize infertility coverage under existing pregnancy-related benefit rules.
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 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.
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.
S 722, now law as P.L.2025, c.200, requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary treatments for perimenopause and menopause. It directly affects New Jersey residents with health insurance, mandating coverage for specific services like hormone therapy (including HRT), non-hormonal medications, pelvic floor therapy, bone health screenings, and preventive care for related conditions such as osteoporosis or heart disease. Insurance plans must cover these treatments "to the same extent as for any other medical condition," with clear information provided to subscribers. The law applies to hospital, medical, health service, and individual insurance policies issued or renewed in New Jersey.
