This bill establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program aimed at providing remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries in New Jersey. The program is designed to expand access to obstetric care, particularly for those living in rural or medically underserved areas. The Commissioner of Human Services will determine the specific remote services offered, which will include remote patient monitoring, remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound. The bill defines remote maternal health services as the use of digital technology to collect and securely transmit medical data from pregnant patients to healthcare providers for diagnosis and treatment. It also mandates that all devices used in the program comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and have FDA approval.

Eligibility for the pilot program is based on referrals from healthcare providers, who can recommend participation if they believe remote services are in the best interest of the patient or if the patient is at increased risk for high-risk pregnancies due to various factors, including pre-existing medical conditions, age, lifestyle, or diagnosed pregnancy-related conditions. Additionally, the program will be available to pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries who may not meet these criteria but live in areas with insufficient obstetric care or face socioeconomic barriers to accessing consistent care. The implementation of the pilot program is contingent upon receiving federal approval for necessary Medicaid waivers or state plan amendments to secure federal funding.