ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1795

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 30, 1996

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1795.

      This bill requires the Medicaid and PAAD programs to provide benefits for diabetes self-management education, equipment and supplies at least to the same extent as required for health insurance companies and health maintenance organizations under P.L.1995, c.331, which was enacted on January 5, 1996 (Senate Bill No. 1759 of 1995, sponsored by Senators Palaia and Bennett).

      The benefits provided under this bill would include the following:

diabetic testing materials, including blood glucose monitors and blood glucose monitors for the legally blind, test strips for glucose monitors and visual reading and urine testing strips; insulin; injection aids; cartridges for the legally blind; syringes; insulin pumps and appurtenances thereto; insulin infusion devices; and oral agents for controlling blood sugar; and diabetes self-management education to ensure that a recipient with diabetes is educated as to the proper self-management and treatment of their diabetic condition, including information on proper diet.

      The bill provides that assistance provided for self-management education and education relating to diet shall be limited to visits medically necessary upon the diagnosis of diabetes; upon diagnosis by a participating physician or nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist of a significant change in the recipient's symptoms or conditions which necessitate changes in that recipient's self-management; and upon determination of a physician or nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist that reeducation or refresher education is necessary. Diabetes self-management education shall be provided by a dietitian registered by a nationally recognized professional association of dietitians or a health care professional recognized as a Certified Diabetes Educator by the American Association of Diabetes Educators or a registered pharmacist qualified with regard to diabetes management education by any institution recognized by the State board of pharmacy.