This bill proposes to increase the maximum allowable hours for personal care assistant (PCA) services under Medicaid from 40 hours to 91 hours per week for beneficiaries who are clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care. 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 with daily living activities, which must be performed by a qualified individual under the supervision of a registered professional nurse and in accordance with a beneficiary's 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 current cap of 40 hours per week is deemed insufficient to support the needs of beneficiaries, especially in light of New Jersey's high cost of living. By increasing the service cap, the bill aims to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries, enabling them to maintain their independence and dignity while receiving the necessary support in their communities.