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. It raises the income standard for medically needy eligibility to 138 percent of the poverty level and sets resource standards at $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. This change aims to expand Medicaid access for individuals and families who may have been previously ineligible due to lower income and resource limits. The bill also modifies definitions and eligibility criteria for Medicaid applicants, aligning them with current federal standards and removing outdated references.

Additionally, the bill proposes significant changes to the eligibility criteria for various Medicaid programs, particularly for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) groups, as well as the Medically Needy and Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) programs. It raises the income eligibility for the ABD group 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. Furthermore, the bill establishes new resource standards for 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.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:4D-3