New Jersey Senate Bill S1055

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/22
• Refer: 1/31/22

Caption

Establishes Medicaid Enrollee Encounter Database as part of iPHD Project.

Impact

The creation of the Medicaid Enrollee Encounter Database is expected to significantly enhance transparency regarding healthcare services for Medicaid enrollees. By making this data publicly available in a user-friendly format, the bill supports initiatives to improve health outcomes and offers researchers and the public access to important healthcare information. This initiative aligns with newly adopted federal regulations requiring more detailed reporting from Medicaid managed care organizations, aiming to boost accountability and service delivery.

Summary

Senate Bill S1055, introduced in the New Jersey 220th Legislature, aims to establish the Medicaid Enrollee Encounter Database as part of the iPHD Project. The bill mandates the Department of Human Services to create a comprehensive database that will track and make public de-identified data regarding Medicaid services provided to enrollees. This will include details on the type and date of services, the provider location, and reimbursement information, facilitating transparency in healthcare services under Medicaid in New Jersey.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits of the database for transparency and health outcomes, there could be contention surrounding the accessibility and handling of sensitive health data. Balancing public access to information and the privacy of Medicaid enrollees will be a critical issue. Some stakeholders may raise concerns regarding the risk of de-identification failures or the potential misuse of publicly available data, which could affect individuals' privacy rights. The bill's implementation may also face scrutiny regarding the efficiency of the data-sharing processes and the operational capacity of the governing board responsible for administering the database.