This bill establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing (PDN) services in New Jersey, setting the rates at no less than $60 per hour for services provided by registered professional nurses and no less than $48 per hour for services provided by licensed practical nurses. This change addresses the inadequacy of existing maximum reimbursement rates, which are currently capped at $40 per hour for registered nurses and $28 per hour for licensed practical nurses, as outlined in existing state regulations. The bill aims to ensure that the reimbursement rates are sufficient to cover the costs of providing these essential services, thereby encouraging more nurses to offer PDN services in the state.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner of Human Services apply for any necessary state plan amendments or waivers within 180 days of the bill's enactment to secure federal financial participation for state Medicaid expenditures. The Commissioner is also required to adopt rules and regulations to implement the bill's provisions effectively. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.