ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4620

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 8, 2023

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4620.

      As amended by committee, under the bill, within 365 days of its effective date, the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (division) in the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the State Board of Medical Examiners, is required to develop and implement a streamlined process for a physician to enroll as an NJ FamilyCare provider and to apply for State licensure in a single application.

      For all applications submitted under the bill, the State Board of Medical Examiners is to provide the division with a copy of the applicant’s license, within five days of issuing the license to the applicant.  If the applicant is not approved for licensure, the bill directs the State Board of Medical Examiners to provide the division with the appropriate documentation within five days of the determination.

      Moreover, to the extent possible and in accordance with the documentation submitted with the application, the bill directs the division to immediately begin to process the portion of the application regarding NJ FamilyCare provider enrollment.  Within 10 days of receiving an applicant’s licensure from the State Board of Medical Examiners, the division is to notify an applicant in writing, if applicable, of any additional information or documentation required by the division to enroll the applicant as an approved NJ FamilyCare physician.

      The bill explicitly provides that these provisions of the bill are not to be construed to alter the application requirements for State licensure or the enrollment requirements for a NJ FamilyCare provider.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amendments eliminate the provision in the bill that requires the committee of a carrier reviewing applications submitted by licensed health care professionals for participation in a carrier’s plan, to provide an applicant a notice of determination within six months of receiving an application.

      The committee amendments make technical changes to address a grammar issue.

      The committee amended the title and synopsis of the bill to reflect the changes made by committee amendment.