This bill requires New Jersey's four regional child abuse and neglect treatment centers to establish 24/7 mobile teams that respond to hospital requests for forensic examinations of pediatric patients under 13. Hospitals must contact their county's center when a child meets specific criteria: (1) referred by a school nurse, pediatrician, or caregiver for suspected abuse, or (2) presenting injuries inconsistent with their explanation or developmental level. The mobile teams will perform examinations at the hospital, and the state will appropriate funds to support this service. Centers must also develop hospital contact protocols and train staff on abuse identification.
This bill (A 3432) requires health insurance plans in New Jersey (both hospital and medical service corporation contracts) to cover specific preventive services without cost-sharing. It mandates coverage for USPSTF "A"/"B" rated services, CDC-recommended immunizations, pediatric care guidelines, and women's preventive services, with coverage required at least once per calendar year (not policy year). Plans must cover out-of-network services when no in-network provider is available for covered services, and coverage begins one year after a new recommendation is issued. The bill affects all applicable insurance contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey, ensuring broader access to preventive care without patient cost-sharing for these specific services. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.386.)
This bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric skilled care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects four facilities providing specialized long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21: the Pediatric Long Term Care Center (Mountainside/Toms River), Phoenix Center (Haskell), and Voorhees Pediatric Facility. Facilities must comply with state/federal licensure, safety, and quality standards to qualify for this rate. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to cover this reimbursement increase.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to reimburse licensed pharmacists for medication management services provided to enrolled children. It expands existing pediatric care coverage under NJ FamilyCare to specifically include these pharmacist-delivered services, which help children manage complex medication regimens. The policy change directly affects pediatric Medicaid beneficiaries and pharmacists who provide these services. It mandates state reimbursement for this specific health service without altering eligibility criteria for families.
This bill requires pediatric healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen children for Lyme disease during well-child visits and symptom-related visits (for fever, rash, fatigue, joint pain, or headache) between April 1 and October 31 each year. It mandates using a standardized checklist developed by the Department of Health to assess tick exposure and symptoms, with providers documenting results and ordering tests or referrals if risks are identified. Additionally, the bill requires physicians to complete one mandatory continuing medical education credit on Lyme prevention, diagnosis, and treatment as part of their license renewal. The law aims to improve early detection of Lyme in children through standardized screening and provider education.
This bill establishes a minimum daily Medicaid reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid or FamilyCare programs. It directly affects four facilities in New Jersey that provide specialized long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21. The law requires the state to appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover this rate increase, aiming to close a 63.5% gap between the highest and lowest existing reimbursement rates for these facilities. The policy change ensures these facilities receive consistent funding while maintaining compliance with state and federal licensing and quality standards.
This bill requires all health insurance policies in New Jersey - covering hospital, medical, and individual/group plans - to cover diagnosis and treatment for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). It mandates coverage for specific treatments including antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, as prescribed by a physician. Insurance plans must provide this coverage "to the same extent as for any other condition," meaning no additional cost-sharing or limitations beyond standard coverage. The requirement applies to all relevant policies renewed or issued in New Jersey after the bill's effective date.
This New Jersey bill expands healthcare access by allowing general pediatricians (not specialists) to treat children with low-acuity behavioral or developmental issues like anxiety, as defined by the State Board of Medical Examiners. It also updates rules for advanced practice nurses, enabling them to prescribe medications and manage care in more settings under specific collaborative protocols with physicians, including annual protocol reviews and additional pharmacology training for controlled substances. Both changes aim to increase provider capacity for pediatric behavioral health while requiring physician collaboration and documentation. The bill directly affects pediatricians and advanced practice nurses in New Jersey, particularly in community and primary care settings.
This bill changes the age limit for residents in New Jersey's pediatric long-term care facilities from 19 to 26. It directly affects young adults aged 20-26 who currently cannot access these specialized facilities after turning 19. The key provision removes the previous age restriction, allowing facilities to admit and provide services to residents up to age 26. This aligns with the current policy that limits pediatric care facilities to residents under 19.
This bill requires lead screenings for children aged six months to six years at specific intervals: between 9-18 months, 18-26 months, and immediately before school entry (starting 2024-2025). It directly affects young children, parents/guardians (who must provide screening documentation), healthcare providers (who must conduct screenings), and schools (which must verify results before enrolling pre-K or kindergarten students). Schools cannot admit children without proof of the required screening, and healthcare providers must document results in permanent health records and share them on school enrollment forms. The law updates existing screening schedules and mandates documentation to ensure early detection of lead exposure, a known health risk for young children.
