ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 1004

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JUNE 9, 2021

 

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1004.

     As amended by the committee, this bill increases the hourly limit of reimbursable personal care assistant services under the NJ WorkAbility Program from 40 hours per calendar workweek to 80 hours per calendar workweek.

     The NJ WorkAbility Program provides full State Medicaid health coverage to individuals with disabilities who are working and whose earnings would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid.  The regulations (N.J.A.C.10:72-9 et seq.) governing the program provide that all services available through the NJ WorkAbility Program must be provided through existing Medicaid contracts held by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) in the Department of Human Services.  Currently, the reimbursement of personal care assistant services under such contracts is limited to 40 hours per calendar work week.

     Individuals must meet the following guidelines in order to be eligible for the NJ WorkAbility Program: 1) be between the ages of 16 and 64; 2) work part time, full time, or be self-employed and have proof of employment; 3) have a permanent disability as determined by the United States Social Security Administration or the Disability Review Team in DMAHS; and 4) have an earned income below 250 percent, and an unearned income below 100 percent, of the federal poverty level.  An individual participating in the program must pay a $25 monthly premium in order to receive full Medicaid coverage.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to reduce the hourly limit of reimbursable personal care assistant services under the NJ WorkAbility Program from 112 hours per calendar workweek, as originally provided in the bill, to 80 hours per calendar workweek.