Bill
Bill > A2208
NJ A2208
NJ A2208Increases cap on personal care assistant services from 40 hours to 91 hours per week for Medicaid beneficiary determined clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill increases the cap on personal care assistant (PCA) services from 40 hours to 91 hours per week for a Medicaid beneficiary determined clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care. The bill requires that prior to the implementation of the provisions of the bill, the Commissioner of Human Services is to provide a separate rate certification for an increase of personal care assistant services hours within the State's managed long-term services and supports program in compliance with federal standards, including but not limited to 42 C.F.R. 438.4. Implementation of an increase of personal care assistant services hours during a State Fiscal Year is to require a mid-year rate adjustment for the managed long term services and supports program. The bill also directs the Department of Human Services to modify the existing assessment tool for PCA services to reflect the provisions of this bill. The bill defines "personal care assistant services" to mean health related tasks associated with the cueing, supervision, or the completion of activities of daily living, as well as related tasks. PCA services are certified as medically necessary; delivered in accordance with a beneficiary's written plan of care; and performed by a qualified individual, typically in a beneficiary's home, and under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. Currently, pursuant to State regulation, the Medicaid program limits PCA services to a maximum of 40 hours per week per beneficiary. Additional hours of service may be approved by the Department of Human Services on a case-by-case basis and based on exceptional circumstances. Increasing the service cap to 91 hours per week for the State's most vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries will ensure that they can thrive within the community for additional years.
AI Summary
This bill increases the weekly limit for personal care assistant (PCA) services for Medicaid beneficiaries who are deemed to need nursing facility level care, raising it from 40 hours to 91 hours per week. PCA services are defined as health-related tasks that help individuals with daily living activities, provided by a qualified person in their home or other approved locations, under the supervision of a registered nurse, and certified as medically necessary according to a care plan. Before this change can take effect, the Commissioner of Human Services must get a separate rate certification for these increased PCA hours within the state's managed long-term services and supports program, ensuring it meets federal standards like 42 C.F.R. 438.4, and if implemented mid-fiscal year, it will require a mid-year rate adjustment. The Department of Human Services will also need to update its assessment tool for PCA services to reflect these new provisions, aiming to help vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries remain in their communities longer.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2208 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2208_I1.HTM |
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