New Jersey Assembly Bill A3441

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26

Caption

Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing services.

Impact

The bill is expected to have a significant impact on state laws surrounding healthcare reimbursement. By introducing mandatory minimum rates for PDN services, it seeks to improve the viability and attractiveness of these services for nurses, thus, potentially increasing the number of professionals willing to enter this field. This could enhance service delivery to vulnerable populations who require continuous healthcare at home and may assist in stabilizing the current shortfall experienced in the nursing sector in New Jersey.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3441 aims to establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for private duty nursing (PDN) services provided within the Medicaid fee-for-service system. The bill proposes that the reimbursement rate be no less than $60 per hour for services rendered by registered professional nurses and no less than $48 for services by licensed practical nurses. This change is intended to address existing regulations that impose maximum reimbursement limits that are generally inadequate to cover the costs of providing nursing services, which has led to a shortage of available nurses for PDN services in the state.

Contention

Notably, the discussion around A3441 may highlight concerns about the fiscal implications for the state's Medicaid budget, as the increase in reimbursement rates could lead to higher overall expenditures. Opponents might argue that while the bill addresses immediate concerns regarding service availability, it may also impose strain on the state's healthcare funding. In contrast, proponents argue that the long-term benefits of ensuring adequate care provision would outweigh the short-term fiscal impacts, as improved health outcomes often lead to reduced long-term costs in the healthcare system.