The bill amends Section 3 of P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-3) to increase the income and resource threshold limits for certain Medicaid eligibility groups in New Jersey. Key changes include raising the income standard for medically needy eligibility to 138 percent of the poverty level and adjusting resource standards to $40,000 for one-person households and $60,000 for two-person households, with an additional $20,000 for each additional person in larger households. These adjustments aim to expand access to Medicaid for individuals and families who may have previously been ineligible due to stricter financial criteria. The bill also modifies definitions and eligibility criteria for Medicaid applicants, including specific income limits for children, pregnant women, and individuals aged 65 and older.

Significantly, the bill raises the income eligibility threshold for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) groups from 100% to 138% of the federal poverty level, increasing the annual limit for individuals from $15,060 to $20,783 by 2024. The Medically Needy Income Limit will also be adjusted to 138% of the federal poverty level, raising the monthly limit from $367 to $1,732. Additionally, resource eligibility limits for these groups will be set at $40,000 for individuals and $60,000 for couples, a substantial increase from current thresholds. The bill establishes new resource standards for the Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Medicare Savings Programs, aligning them with the Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiver (JACC) program, and tasks the Commissioner of Human Services with applying for necessary state plan amendments or waivers to implement these changes and secure federal funding.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:4D-3