Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits hospice from charging patient for days on which patient is not present.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning hospices and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. A hospice licensed pursuant to P.L.1997, c.78 (C.26:2H-79 et seq.) shall not charge any fee to a private pay patient or the financially responsible party for the private pay patient to reserve or hold a bed for a day in which the patient is not physically residing in the facility and receiving hospice services, except that the hospice may charge a daily fee to reserve a bed for therapeutic leave or during a period of hospitalization. In the event that a hospice has received payment for a day on which the patient was not residing in the hospice and receiving hospice services, the hospice shall refund to the payer any amount paid in excess of what is permitted pursuant to this section.
2. The Commissioner of Health shall, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt any rules and regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, except the Commissioner of Health may take anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits a hospice from charging a fee to a private pay patient or the financially responsible third party to reserve or hold a bed on behalf of the patient for a day in which the patient is not physically residing in the facility and receiving services. The bill provides exceptions allowing for a daily fee to reserve a bed for therapeutic leave or during a period of hospitalization. This would prevent a hospice from charging a patient or family member for time periods in which the hospice is not providing services and the hospice is free to place another patient in the bed.