The bill amends Section 3 of P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-3) to increase the resource thresholds for certain Medicaid eligibility groups in New Jersey, specifically for medically needy individuals. The new resource limits are set at $40,000 for one-person households and $60,000 for two-person households, with an additional $20,000 for each additional person in households of three or more. The previous resource standards, which were based on 200% of the Supplemental Security Income resource standard, have been deleted from the law. The bill also outlines various eligibility criteria for Medicaid, including provisions for pregnant women, children, and individuals with disabilities, allowing those whose income exceeds the limits to qualify as medically needy by incurring medical expenses.

Additionally, the bill establishes similar resource standards for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program, and the Qualifying Individual Program, aligning them with the new thresholds. The Commissioner of Human Services is responsible for applying for necessary state plan amendments or waivers to implement these changes and secure federal financial participation for state Medicaid expenditures. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access to medical assistance for vulnerable populations by modernizing and streamlining eligibility requirements, making them more consistent with those for individuals under 65 without disabilities, who do not face resource tests under the Affordable Care Act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:4D-3