Bill Text: NJ A4223 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care services; appropriates $20 million.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-06-22 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [A4223 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-A4223-Amended.html

[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4223

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 9, 2022

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  HERB CONAWAY, JR.

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblywoman  ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

Assemblywoman  CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Haider, Jimenez, Reynolds-Jackson and Speight

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care services; appropriates $20 million.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on June 22, 2023, with amendments.

  


An Act concerning primary care 2[and mental health]2 services reimbursed under Medicaid 2[and],2 supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes 2, and making an appropriation2.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

      1.   a.  Commencing on July 1, 1[2022] 20231 , 2[and annually thereafter] or upon the effective date of this act, whichever occurs first2, the 2Commissioner of Human Services shall increase the2 Medicaid reimbursement 2[rate] rates2 for primary care 2[and mental health]2 services 2[shall be no less than 100 percent of the payment rate that applies to such services under part B of Medicare]22The Commissioner of Human Services shall determine the amount of the increases as follows:  The primary care services reimbursement rates associated with the most frequently used medical billing codes under Medicaid in calendar year 2022 shall be increased so that each rate is no less than 100 percent of the payment rate that applies to the same service under part B of Medicare.  The Commissioner of Human Services shall determine the number of primary care services rates increased under this subsection such that the annual aggregate amount of the rate increases is equal to $20,000,000, as appropriated pursuant to section 4 of this act, combined with the anticipated receipt of increased federal Medicaid matching funds.2

      b.   Primary care services as used in subsection a. of this section shall include those services furnished by:

      (1)  a physician with a primary specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatric medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology;

      (2)  a health care professional, including but not limited to an advance practice nurse or a physician assistant, who is working in the area of family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatric medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology; or

      (3)  a 1[certified nurse-midwife] midwife1 .

      c.   2[Mental health services as used in subsection a. of this section shall include those services furnished by a provider listed in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of subsection b. of this section or a health care provider with one of the following specialty designations: licensed clinical social worker, psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, or psychiatrist. 

      d.]2           The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require any decrease in the Medicaid reimbursement rate for a primary care 2[or mental health]2 service from the previous fiscal year's reimbursement level for the same service.

      2[e.] d.2    The provisions of this section shall apply to primary

care 2[and mental health]2 services:

      (1)  reimbursed under the Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system or through the Medicaid managed care delivery system, and

      (2)  delivered by an approved Medicaid provider.

      2[f.] e.2     No later than 2[July 1, 2024] one year after the effective date of this act2, the Commissioner of Human Services shall submit a report to the Governor and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), providing information on the implementation of this section, including data indicating any changes regarding access to primary care 2[and mental health]2 services, as well as 1the1 quality of care of these services, for Medicaid beneficiaries following 2[any]2 rate increases 2[required] implemented2 under this section.  The report shall also include any recommendations for further enhancements to the Medicaid rates for these services to improve provider access and quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries in underserved areas of the State. 

      g.   As used in this section:

      "Medicaid" means the program established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).

      "Medicare" means the federal program established pursuant to Pub.L.89-97 (42 U.S.C. s.1395 et seq.) as amended, or its successor plan or plans.

      2["Mental health services" means procedures or services rendered by a health care provider, in a traditional setting as well in an integrated behavioral health setting or via a collaborative care program, for the treatment of mental illness, emotional disorders, or drug or alcohol abuse.]2

      1"Midwife" means a midwife licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners as a certified midwife, a certified nurse midwife, or a certified professional midwife.1

     "Primary care services" means the same as defined in section 1202 of the federal "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010," Pub.L. 111-152.

 

     2.    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.

 

     3.    The Commissioner of Human Services, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

 

     24.   There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services the sum of $20,000,000 to effectuate the provisions of this act.2

 

     1[4.] 5.2     This act shall take effect immediately.

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