This bill proposes to increase the cap on personal care assistant (PCA) services for Medicaid beneficiaries who are clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care from the current limit of 40 hours to 91 hours per week. The Department of Human Services is mandated to approve these additional hours as medically necessary and to modify the existing assessment tool for PCA services accordingly. The bill defines PCA services as health-related tasks that assist beneficiaries with daily living activities, which must be performed by qualified individuals under the supervision of a registered professional nurse and in accordance with a written care plan.

The rationale behind this legislation is to alleviate the pressure on seniors who require nursing facility level care, allowing them to remain in their homes rather than being forced into more expensive long-term care facilities. The sponsor argues that the current 40-hour limit is insufficient to support the needs of beneficiaries, especially in light of New Jersey's high cost of living, which often necessitates additional PCA hours to enable family caregivers to maintain their employment. By increasing the service cap, the bill aims to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries and promote their independence within the community.