This bill increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It raises the surviving spouse's pension from 50% to 70% of the member's final salary-based compensation (or $50,000, whichever is greater), and expands child benefits to 70% if no spouse survives. The bill also adds retroactive health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and children through employer-sponsored plans, and requires lump-sum payments for the difference between old and new benefits dating back to January 1, 2021. These changes align PERS accidental death benefits with those provided under the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System.
This bill establishes a permanent "Automobile Accident Injury Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance. It provides coverage for medical costs incurred by individuals injured in accidents involving a stolen vehicle, specifically when the injured person has no health insurance or automobile insurance that covers the medical expenses. The fund covers these costs regardless of whether the stolen vehicle was properly insured under state law. The Department of Banking and Insurance will manage the fund, create application procedures, and determine payment amounts for eligible applicants. This directly affects uninsured residents injured by stolen vehicles, addressing gaps when personal insurance fails to cover treatment.
This bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies to offer electronic fund transfers (EFT) as a standard option for reimbursing covered persons (policyholders) for medical expenses. It mandates that insurers must notify policyholders about any fees for using EFT and provide clear instructions on their website for selecting this payment method. Insurers who fail to comply may face fines from the Department of Banking and Insurance and must reimburse policyholders for any fees they incurred due to non-compliance. The law applies to all standard health insurance plans (excluding Medicare, Medicaid, workers' compensation, and similar coverage) for claims submitted after the effective date.
New Jersey's S 3573 regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and health insurance carriers to protect patients and pharmacies. The bill directly affects patients, pharmacies, and health plans by banning "steering" (directing patients to affiliated pharmacies), requiring PBMs to charge health plans the same price they pay pharmacies, and prohibiting excessive copays or withholding cost-saving information. Key provisions include banning restrictions on mail-order prescriptions, mandating transparency on price differences between pharmacies and plans, and prohibiting PBMs from sharing patient data for commercial purposes. The law aims to reduce drug costs, expand pharmacy choice, and improve access to care - particularly for rural patients and those with chronic conditions - as highlighted in the legislative findings.
New Jersey Assembly Bill A4439 requires health insurance producers to disclose their total annual revenue from recommended insurance vendors to clients when making policy recommendations. It also mandates health insurance vendors to certify annual direct and indirect compensation paid to producers, including third-party payments tied to recommendations. The bill aligns with existing federal requirements under ERISA for transparency in insurance compensation. This affects health insurance producers, vendors, and their clients in New Jersey, ensuring clearer disclosure of income sources related to insurance sales.
This bill requires certified nurse midwives and physicians in New Jersey to provide pregnant patients with written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options during the initial prenatal visit and before labor begins. The information must cover hospital births, water births, C-sections (scheduled and emergency), associated health risks for mother and infant, effects of medications like epidurals and Pitocin, and insurance coverage options. It must be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by patients with limited English proficiency, based on census data. The New Jersey Department of Health will develop this standardized information in consultation with medical professionals and ensure it is accessible in the patient's preferred language.
This bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to continue covering adult children with disabilities who are 26 or older, provided they cannot work due to a physical or intellectual disability and are financially dependent on their parent. It amends existing law to extend coverage beyond the standard age limit of 26 for this specific group, ensuring they maintain health insurance through their parent's plan. The bill prohibits denial of coverage based on factors like marriage, having a child, or school status, which commonly affected young adults with disabilities. This change directly impacts young adults with disabilities in New Jersey who would otherwise lose coverage at age 26 but meet the eligibility criteria.
This bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover medically necessary speech therapy for stuttering, including both habilitative (helping develop speech skills) and rehabilitative (helping regain lost skills) therapy. It applies to all health insurance policies sold in New Jersey, including individual, group, and hospital service contracts, and mandates coverage whether therapy is provided in-person or via telehealth. Insurers must cover these services at the same level as other medical treatments, without additional restrictions. The law directly affects residents with stuttering who rely on insurance for speech therapy, ensuring they receive consistent coverage for this specific treatment.
This bill allows New Jersey state employees without a union representative (due to lack of majority representation) to enroll in specific health care plans under the State Health Benefits Program. Starting January 1, 2025, these employees must choose between the CWA Unity DIRECT or CWA Unity DIRECT2019 plans (or their successors), based on their hire date, for their health coverage. The bill sets the state's and employee's payment obligations for these plans to match the terms of existing collective bargaining agreements that would apply if the employee had union representation. It directly affects state employees without a majority union representative, ensuring they access standardized health plan options.
This bill requires New Jersey physicians to offer patients a test for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (a condition that can cause dangerous reactions to chemotherapy drugs) before starting chemotherapy. It directly affects patients scheduled for chemotherapy in New Jersey, ensuring they can be screened for this specific risk. The bill mandates that all health insurance policies sold in New Jersey must cover one annual test for this deficiency and any related treatment, at the same level as other medical conditions. This applies to individual, group, and other health insurance plans in the state, with coverage required for both the test and prescribed treatments. The goal is to prevent severe adverse reactions by identifying patients at risk before chemotherapy begins.
