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Bill > A537
NJ A537
NJ A537Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities; makes an appropriation.
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 requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) within the Department of Human Services to establish a minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate of no less than $950.00 per day for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs). Pediatric SCNFs provide specialized, long-term care and rehabilitation to medically fragile children and youth, up to 21 years of age. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services such sums as are necessary to implement this reimbursement rate increase. New Jersey currently has four pediatric SCNFs that participate in the State Medicaid program and the NJ FamilyCare program: the Pediatric Long Term Care Center at Children's Specialized Hospital (Mountainside and Toms River), the Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics (Haskell), and the Voorhees Pediatric Facility (Voorhees). It is the intent of the bill's sponsor to close the 63.5 percent gap in the reimbursement rate between the pediatric SCNF with the highest reimbursement rate and the facility with the lowest payment rate.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS), a part of the Department of Human Services, must establish a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950.00 for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs) that participate in New Jersey's Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs. Pediatric SCNFs are defined as facilities providing specialized, long-term care and rehabilitation for medically fragile children and youth up to 21 years old, going beyond the services offered by typical nursing facilities. The bill also appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services to cover the costs of this increased reimbursement rate, aiming to address a significant disparity in current payment rates among existing SCNFs in the state.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health 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/A537 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/537_I1.HTM |
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