Bill > A998

Introduced Session

This bill directs the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services to establish the Children's Partial Hospitalization Pilot Program. The goal of this pilot program is to expand the availability of partial hospitalization services for children ages five through 14 by providing reimbursement under the NJ FamilyCare program - the State' s health insurance program for eligible, low-income persons - for partial hospitalization services provided at non-hospital based locations. Children's partial hospitalization services are intensive, highly structured outpatient treatment services that provide individualized, outcomes-oriented psychiatric services designed for youth and young adults and that are intended to minimize the need for inpatient hospitalization. Currently, to qualify for NJ FamilyCare reimbursement, partial hospitalization services must be provided in a hospital setting. Under the bill, the division is to select one applicant to participate in the pilot program. The eligible applicant is required to: demonstrate an established plan for implementation; exclusively provide partial hospitalization services to children ages five through 14; meet all existing federal and State requirements for reimbursement of children's partial hospitalization services under NJ FamilyCare, except that the location of service delivery does not need to be a licensed hospital; and apply to the Department of Children and Families for approval as a provider within the Children's System of Care. The Children's System of Care is New Jersey's public behavioral health system for youth under 21 years of age. No later than 36 months after the division selects the pilot's participant, the division is required to submit to the Governor and to the Legislature, a report that summarizes the implementation of the program to date, as well as recommendations for the continuation of the program. The pilot program shall expire 36 months after the division selects the pilot's participant.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Carol Murphy (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document