Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman ERIC HOUGHTALING
District 11 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators T.Kean, Singleton, Addiego, Brown, Cardinale, Holzapfel, O'Scanlon, Singer, Assemblyman Caputo, Assemblywomen Murphy, Jasey, Assemblymen Rooney, McKeon, Assemblywoman DiMaso, Assemblymen Greenwald, Freiman, Assemblywoman Swain, Assemblyman Tully and Senator Pou
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes pharmacists to order and administer test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) consistent with federal guidance; requires health benefits and Medicaid coverage for tests.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on May 11, 2020, with amendments.
An Act concerning testing for coronavirus disease 2019 1and amending P.L.2020, c.71 .
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. 1(New section)1 a. 1[Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, consistent] Consistent1 with federal guidance and waivers, a pharmacist licensed pursuant to P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.) shall be authorized to order 1[or] and1 administer to any person any test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that the federal Food and Drug Administration has authorized for use, provided that:
(1) the manufacturer of the test is registered with the federal Food and Drug Administration and is included in the Establishment Registration and Device Listing database maintained by the federal Food and Drug Administration;
(2) 1[a statistically significant number of samples of the test have been independently evaluated within the United States for reliability;
(3)]1 the place of manufacture provides reasonable assurance prior to or at the time of shipment that the test is genuine 1[and conforms to the specifications of the samples that have been found to be reliable as described in paragraph (2) of this subsection]1 ; and
1[(4)] (3)1 the pharmacy practice site distributes personal protection equipment to all pharmacy staff and establishes protocols and procedures to ensure that all persons presenting at the pharmacy for any reason, including to request testing for COVID-19, maintain social distancing appropriate to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
b. If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 using a test administered by a pharmacist pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the pharmacist shall advise the patient 1[to self-isolate at home for at least 14 days] on self-isolation guidance1 and provide the individual with 1[a copy of] any necessary resources, such as1 the COVID-19 Home Care Guide, except that, if the patient is a member of a group that is at high risk for health complications from COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms of a severe adverse reaction to COVID-19, the pharmacist shall advise the patient to promptly seek treatment at a hospital 1or contact the patient’s health care provider1 . The pharmacist shall ensure compliance with all other State and federal requirements concerning a positive test for COVID-19, including applicable reporting and data collection requirements.
1[c. The Board of Pharmacy may extend the authority to order and administer COVID-19 tests to any other professional subject to licensure or oversight by the board.]1
12. Section 1 of P.L.2020, c.7 is amended to read as follows:
1. a. During the Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020, the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs shall provide coverage and payment for expenses incurred in:
(1) the testing for coronavirus disease 2019, provided that a licensed [medical practitioner] health care professional licensed in accordance with the provisions of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this State, has issued a medical order for that testing; and
(2) the delivery of health care services through telemedicine or telehealth in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2017, c.117 (C.45:1-61 et al.).
b. The coverage shall be provided to the same extent as for any other health care services, except that no cost-sharing shall be imposed on the coverage provided pursuant to this section.
c. The Commissioner of Human Services shall apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act and to secure federal financial participation for State Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medicaid program.1
(cf: P.L.2020, c.7, s.1)
13. Section 2 of P.L.2020, c.7 is amended to read as follows:
2. a. During the Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020, a carrier that offers a health benefits plan in this State shall provide coverage and payment for expenses incurred in:
(1) the testing of coronavirus disease 2019, provided that a health care professional licensed in accordance with the provisions of [P.L.2017, c.117 (C.45:1-61 et al.)] Title 45 of the Revised Statutes, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this State, has issued a medical order for the testing; and
(2) any health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2017, c.117 (C.45:1-61 et al.).
b. The coverage shall be provided to the same extent as for any other health care services under the health benefits plan, except that no cost-sharing shall be imposed on the coverage provided pursuant to this section.
c. As used in this section, “carrier,” means an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State, and shall include the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program.1
(cf: P.L.2020, c.7, s.2)
1[2.] 4.1 This act shall take effect immediately.