This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create a pilot program providing free menstrual hygiene products (tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins) to eligible Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare enrollees. Eligible individuals would receive products at no cost by presenting their Medicaid card at participating pharmacies, with quantities and frequency determined by health experts. The program depends on federal approval of a waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act to secure federal funding. The bill does not take effect until this federal waiver is approved.
This bill (A2836) increases the asset limits for certain New Jersey Medicaid applicants who qualify as "medically needy." It directly affects low-income residents in specific groups, including pregnant women, children under 21, seniors 65+, and blind or disabled adults, who have higher asset thresholds than standard Medicaid applicants. The key change raises the resource standard for households: for households of three or more people, the limit increases by $20,000 per additional person (from $100 previously), setting new caps at $40,000 for one-person households and $60,000 for two-person households. This adjustment aims to align New Jersey's Medicaid eligibility with federal guidelines and expand access for qualifying residents with modest assets. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.
This bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing (PDN) services by $4 per hour. It sets a minimum rate of $65 per hour for registered nurses (up from $61) and $53 per hour for licensed practical nurses (up from $49), applying to both fee-for-service and managed care Medicaid delivery systems. The change directly affects nurses providing in-home PDN services and requires the state to seek federal approval for the rate adjustment. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to review and improve its Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Program, which coordinates long-term care for Medicaid members. It directs the state to assess quality oversight, barriers to moving members from nursing homes to community settings, and successful payment models nationwide. The state must then mandate managed care organizations (MCOs) to reduce caseloads for nursing home residents, conduct more frequent face-to-face visits, annually review member preferences for community transitions, and create transition teams for complex moves. Additionally, the state must create public report cards on its website showing MCO performance metrics, enrollment data, disenrollment rates, member feedback, and quality ratings to help Medicaid members choose providers. The report cards must be updated annually, and the state must submit a progress report to the legislature within 18 months.
This bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover all reproductive health care services, including family planning and abortion. It also prohibits medical malpractice insurers from raising premiums or canceling coverage for providers who offer these legally protected services. The law applies to all health insurance companies, Medicaid, and malpractice insurers operating in the state. By mandating coverage and preventing insurance penalties, the bill aims to remove financial barriers to reproductive health care access for all residents.
This bill establishes a nine-member commission within New Jersey’s Department of Human Services to analyze how projected federal Medicaid funding cuts affect the state’s Medicaid services. The commission will monitor federal and statewide Medicaid trends, assess the impact of federal policy changes, and recommend legislative or other actions to address these changes. It consists of the Medicaid program director (ex-officio), four legislative members appointed by chamber leaders, and four public members appointed by the governor. Within 12 months of its first meeting and annually thereafter, the commission must submit written reports to the governor and legislature detailing its analysis and recommendations, which will be posted publicly online. The bill does not change Medicaid funding or eligibility but creates a process to evaluate federal policy impacts.
This bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to create and maintain a publicly accessible list of all its programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The list must include detailed descriptions of each program (like home-based supports, group homes, and self-directed services), eligibility requirements (including Medicaid needs and care level assessments), and information on transitional planning and guardianship. DDD must post this list on its website, provide it in print upon request, and update it regularly to reflect current offerings. It also mandates that DDD promote webinars or presentations to help people access these services.
This bill (A1631) establishes a 3-year pilot program to expand NJ FamilyCare eligibility for children with special needs who live at home but would otherwise be ineligible due to parental income or assets. It directly affects middle-income families caring for children under 21 who meet the federal SSI definition of "blind or disabled" but are denied benefits because their parents' income or assets exceed limits. The program requires annual reviews to confirm the child still meets the disability definition, with an appeals process if benefits are terminated. After the pilot, the state must report on participation, costs, and whether to make the program permanent. The bill does not change existing Medicaid rules for children requiring nursing-home-level care.
This bill (S 3321) requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a Medicaid payment strategy that improves access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as IUDs and implants, for Medicaid clients. It mandates specific actions: ensuring comprehensive coverage for LARCs, separately reimbursing for immediate postpartum insertion, removing supply chain barriers, and eliminating administrative hurdles for providers. The strategy must be implemented by all Medicaid health insurers (managed care organizations) serving low-income women. The bill aims to address existing reimbursement gaps that limit LARC use, which the CDC identifies as highly effective contraception with very low pregnancy rates.
This bill prohibits New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), and Medicaid from denying coverage for maintenance medications treating chronic conditions when a person's health plan or pharmacy benefits manager changes. It specifically prevents coverage loss if the person was already taking the medication before the change and the new plan covers that medication class. The law applies to all covered individuals under these programs who experience such plan transitions. It ensures continuity of essential medications without requiring new prior authorizations due to administrative changes.
