Bill > A5629

Introduced Session

This bill makes an FY 2021 supplemental appropriation of $12.5 million to the Department of Human Services to increase the NJ FamilyCare managed care reimbursement rate for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services rendered to NJ FamilyCare Medicaid eligible individuals under the age of 21 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The bill also directs that the increased rates are to be determined by the Commissioner of Human Services and subject to federal approval. ABA is a type of therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, communication, reading, and academics as well as adaptive learning skills, such as fine motor dexterity, hygiene, grooming, domestic capabilities, punctuality, and job competence. Therapists have used ABA to help children diagnosed with ASD and related developmental disorders since the 1960s. However, reimbursement of ABA therapy for ASD treatment services has only been covered under NJ FamilyCare since April 1, 2020 and access to providers has been a barrier for enrollees to benefit from this new service. It is the sponsor's goal to increase the reimbursement rate as a means to increase the provider network and connect more NJ FamilyCare youth with this essential service.

AI Summary

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Ronald Dancer (R)*,  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 05/12/2021)