"Breann's Law" (Bill A-2822) requires health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program, and NJ FamilyCare to cover out-of-network medical services for children diagnosed with catastrophic illnesses - defined as life-threatening conditions or those posing serious disability risks - when services are provided by referral from an in-network provider. The law mandates that coverage for these out-of-network services must be provided at the same level as in-network care under the same health plan. It applies to specific health insurance contracts, including hospital service, medical service, health service corporation plans, and group health insurance policies issued in New Jersey. This policy change directly affects families of children with severe illnesses who previously faced barriers to accessing specialized care outside their insurance network.
This bill requires hospitals approved to relocate from underserved communities to maintain minimum services at their original location. Specifically, it mandates that hospitals must keep all required professional departments, inpatient beds, and core services (as defined by state regulations) at their original site under the same license. It applies to hospitals relocating from areas meeting specific medical need criteria, including those designated as medically underserved by federal and state standards. The law takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to relocations approved within the prior 12 months.
This bill requires all general hospitals licensed in New Jersey to create at least one private bereavement area within their facilities. The designated space must be available for family members who receive distressing news about a loved one being treated at the hospital, including news of death. The Commissioner of Health will enforce this requirement, which takes effect 180 days after the bill is signed into law. It directly affects hospitals under New Jersey's health licensing regulations (P.L.1971, c.136) and provides a private, supportive environment for families during difficult moments.
This Assembly Resolution (AR 76) expresses New Jersey's support for the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which has protected patient access to emergency care since 1986. It urges federal enforcement of EMTALA, requiring hospitals to screen all emergency patients, provide necessary stabilizing treatment regardless of payment ability, and follow strict protocols before transferring or discharging patients with emergency conditions. The resolution does not create new laws but formally supports maintaining these existing federal protections for all patients seeking emergency medical services.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to reimburse hospitals for long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs at the same rate used for outpatient settings, rather than including these costs in standard hospital payment systems. It directly affects inpatient hospitals and providers who administer these drugs for conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The key change ensures hospitals receive payment based on the actual drug cost (like outpatient settings) instead of a fixed hospital payment rate that doesn't account for expensive medications. The bill also allows qualified pharmacists to administer these drugs under a prescriber's order, with state board oversight.
This bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover annual physical examinations for student athletes (and camp participants) as a preventive health service, similar to other routine check-ups. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health insurers, health maintenance organizations, and state health benefit plans. The coverage must be provided at no additional cost to the student or family, as part of standard preventive care under the insurance contract. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment, applying to policies issued or renewed after that date.
This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 105) urges Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs not to reduce federal funding that reimburses ambulance services for veterans. It directly affects 338,012 veterans in New Jersey who rely on free ambulance transport for medical emergencies, as proposed cuts could shift costs to veterans (with average bills of $400-$600) or lead to service reductions in rural areas. The resolution highlights that shifting this financial responsibility to states/local governments - without adequate resources - would create barriers to emergency care, especially where hospital closures are increasing. It is a non-binding request sent to federal officials, emphasizing the need to maintain current reimbursement levels.
This New Jersey bill requires general acute care hospitals to include fentanyl testing in urine drug screenings used to diagnose patient conditions. It directly affects hospitals conducting such screenings, mandating they test for fentanyl - a highly potent synthetic opioid often mixed with other drugs like cocaine or heroin, contributing to overdose deaths. The key provision adds fentanyl to standard screening panels, which currently test for substances like cocaine and other opioids but not fentanyl. The law takes effect immediately but expires on January 1, 2028.
This New Jersey bill (A 453) limits out-of-pocket costs for asthma inhalers under most health insurance plans. It requires coverage for prescribed asthma inhalers with no deductible and caps copayments or coinsurance at $35 per 30-day supply. The law applies to hospital, medical, and health service corporation plans issued or renewed in New Jersey, directly affecting asthma patients covered by these plans. Plans may lower costs further but cannot exceed this $35 limit per month.
This bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover continuous glucose monitoring systems prescribed for treating glycogen storage disease, a rare metabolic condition. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual health insurance policies, group health plans, and health benefits plans. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, eliminating insurance denials for this specific treatment. This directly affects patients with glycogen storage disease and their insurers, ensuring access to necessary monitoring technology without extra cost barriers.
