New Jersey Assembly Bill A1725

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires health insurance coverage of at-home rehabilitation services.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would significantly alter existing regulations governing health insurance practices in New Jersey. It stipulates that all health insurance carriers must ensure their plans cover at-home rehabilitation services uniformly, thereby mandating consistency in how insurance companies offer these benefits across different plans. This change is expected to facilitate broader access to rehabilitation services, potentially leading to improved health outcomes for patients who might otherwise delay or avoid necessary treatment due to transportation concerns.

Summary

A1725, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, aims to mandate that health insurance plans provide coverage for at-home rehabilitation services. This includes benefits for individuals suffering from physical or mental impairments due to injury or disease, allowing for treatment within their homes using necessary medical equipment. By eliminating the travel burden associated with rehabilitation facilities, the bill intends to increase access to necessary treatment, especially in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, where many individuals have refrained from visiting healthcare facilities due to health risks.

Contention

While the bill has a solid foundation in improving patient access to care, it may face scrutiny regarding implementation costs for insurance providers. Critics could argue that requiring coverage for at-home rehabilitation services may lead to increased insurance premiums or affect the profitability of health care providers. Conversely, proponents of the bill emphasize the long-term benefits associated with timely rehabilitation treatment and argue that the costs associated with non-treatment could burden healthcare systems more significantly.