New Jersey Assembly Bill A4466

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/15/22
• Refer: 9/15/22

Caption

Revises procedures for processing incomplete Medicaid applications; exempts asset transfers of up to $500 per month during look back period for determining eligibility for long-term care services.

Impact

A key provision of A4466 is the allowance for individuals seeking Medicaid coverage for long-term care services to transfer up to $500 in assets per month during the required 60-month look-back period without facing penalties. This change aligns New Jersey's regulations with federal law, which also permits states to exclude minimal financial gifts classified as 'de minimis gifts.' This is significant as it aims to ease access to Medicaid for many who might have previously been penalized for these minor transfers.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4466 seeks to revise the procedures for processing Medicaid applications, particularly focusing on cases where applications are deemed incomplete. The bill introduces measures requiring county welfare agencies to notify applicants when their submissions lack necessary information. Importantly, it mandates that the agencies provide specific details about the missing information and stipulates that applications should be reviewed promptly once the applicant submits the needed documentation.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention surrounding the bill in terms of how it addresses the balance between safeguarding Medicaid funds and allowing for personal financial decisions. Opponents may argue that permitting asset transfers could encourage individuals to manipulate their financial situations to gain eligibility at the expense of state resources. Supporters, however, argue that the bill is designed to protect vulnerable populations from facing undue barriers to accessing essential health services. The effectiveness of implementation may be scrutinized, especially concerning how quickly counties can process applications and the uniformity of their responses.