ASSEMBLY AGING AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2075

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 6, 2024

      The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2075.

      This bill establishes a minimum base NJ FamilyCare per diem reimbursement rate of $1,100 for special care nursing facilities which operate a neurologically impaired young adult unit.  Under the bill, a special care nursing facility is defined as a nursing facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) that is not a unit attached to, or on the same campus as, a rehabilitation or acute care hospital and is not a distinct unit within a NJ FamilyCare-certified conventional nursing facility, and which has been approved by the Department of Human Services to provide care to NJ FamilyCare recipients who require specialized nursing facility services beyond the scope of a conventional nursing facility

      Specifically, the bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services to reimburse a special care nursing facility, issued a certificate of need by the Department of Health as of July 1, 2023 to operate a neurologically impaired young adult unit, a base NJ FamilyCare per diem reimbursement rate that is, at a minimum, the greater of the special care nursing facility’s FY 2022 base NJ FamilyCare per diem reimbursement rate or $1,100 per diem.  This bill applies to reimbursements beginning January 1, 2024 and only those facilities in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations concerning licensure, patient safety, and quality of care.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.