May 2017
MAAC QUARTERLY ASSISTANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAAC)
The MAAC held its quarterly meeting on April 13, 2017. An update of the MLTSS program noted the continuing growth of the program with enrollment totaling 49,995 as of March 2017. Private Duty Nursing continues to top the list of service utilization followed by nursing facility and home based services.
According to the Office of After a three-day Government shutdown, the Legislature and Governor Christie struck a deal which resulted in the signing of the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget. The major standoff between Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Governor Chris Christie concerned the restructuring of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (HBCBS). Governor Christie wished to restructure HBCBS to provide funding taken from the company’s surplus to battle the State’s current addiction epidemic. In the end, the FY 2018 Budget appropriated $34,670,313,000 in state funds and $15,823,846,786 in federal funds for the upcoming year.
This year’s budget appropriates $18.31 billion for the Department of Human Services. This budget signifies an increase of $37.1 million in funding from the previous fiscal year. The State will provide $6.65 billion in funding, while the Federal Government will supply an additional $9.88 billion in appropriations.
This year’s budget allotted $4.18 billion in state dollars and $7.71 billion for a total of $13.48 billion in funding for Medicaid based services. This appropriation totals nearly 74% of the Department of Human Service’s budget. Furthermore, the budget also designated $1,783,882,000 from State and Federal funds for medical coverage of nursing home residents. This funding level is an increase of nearly $85 million from fiscal year 2017. is expected to continue its growth, adding over 4,000 new enrollees in FY 2018 raising total enrollment above 53,000. The number of nursing home residents is expected to remain just above 28,000 with recommended appropriations increasing slightly to $1.78 billion.
Enrollment in MLTSS has been rapidly increasing since the program began in FY 2015, in part to the NJH FamilyCare managed care plans identifying non-MLTSS clients who may be eligible for the program and encouraging enrollment.
FY2018 BUDGET HEARINGS
Medical coverage for nursing home residents that includes capitation payments to managed care organizations on behalf of nursing facility residents enrolled in MLTSS, suggests that actual spending is expected to increase from approximately $1.76 billion in FY 2017 to $1.79 billion in FY 2018. Costs for nursing homes services are expected to decrease slightly. This suggests that the difference in spending may be attributable to increases in other care received by these individuals.
LEGISLATION
S.2563 – Clarifies DCA rulemaking authority over free-standing residential health care facilities, and prohibits eviction of residents from such facilities, except for good cause.
Released from the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee with amendments on May 1, 2017.
S.468/A.837 – Establishes ‘Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Act;’ requires promulgation of standards and regulations concerning safe handling of hazardous drugs by certain health care personnel.
Passed by the Assembly on March 16, 2017 and sent to the Governor.
A.4729 – Eliminates certificate of need requirement for special care nursing facilities.
Introduced and referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee on March 20, 2017.
A.4467 – Establishes ‘Affordable Housing Obligation Study Commission.’
Introduced and referred to Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on March 6, 2017.
A.4425 – Eliminates certificate of need requirement for inpatient hospital beds for treatment of psychiatric and substance use disorder dual diagnosis.
Unanimously reported from the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee on February 27, 2017.
A.3601/S.2209 – Concerns regulation of guaranteed asset protection waivers by DOBI.
Substituted for A.3601 and passed in the Senate 38-0 on February 13, 2017.
A.680 – Requires emergency action plans for delivery of oxygen to patient residences during health public health emergency.
Passed in the Assembly 70-0-0. Received in Senate and referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
A.4139 – Requires health care facilities to test for and remediate lead in drinking water, and disclose test results.
Unanimously released by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on February 13, 2017.
S.1018 – Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for personal care services.
Reported out of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee with amendments on January 30, 2017. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
S.1058 – Requires Commissioner of Health to take certain actions to ensure that residential units are available in assisted living facilities for individuals with special needs.
Reported out of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on January 30, 2017. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
