WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 4690

Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to Emmaline Wilcox

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Molitor

NJ Medicaid must cover motorized wheelchairs for nursing facility residents when prescribed and preapproved; promotes reuse when no longer needed; seeks federal funding.

PRINT NUMBER 4690B
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4690

Summary — Assembly Bill A4690 (Print No. 4690B)

Status: PRINT NUMBER 4690B
Introduced: September 12, 2024
Sponsor: Assemblyman Andrew Molitor (primary)
Current subject matter (text): Medicaid coverage for motorized wheelchairs for nursing facility residents
Note: the bill metadata included an unrelated title (“Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to Emmaline Wilcox”). The legislative text provided and subsequent print actions relate to Medicaid coverage for motorized wheelchairs; this summary follows the bill text.

Purpose and intent

The bill requires New Jersey’s Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to cover motorized wheelchairs for Medicaid enrollees residing in licensed nursing facilities when clinically appropriate and authorized, and establishes rules for possession, reuse, and federal financial participation.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: clarifies terms including Division (Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services), NJ FamilyCare, nursing facility (licensed long‑term care facility approved to serve NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries), managed care organization (MCO), and Medicaid.
  • Coverage requirement: NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid shall provide coverage for a motorized wheelchair for an enrollee residing in a nursing facility when:
    1. the enrollee is prescribed the motorized wheelchair by the enrollee’s licensed physician or primary health care provider; and
    2. the enrollee has prior authorization for the wheelchair from the enrollee’s MCO.
  • Possessory interest and reversion: the enrollee is granted a possessory interest in the motorized wheelchair for as long as the enrollee requires it. When no longer needed, possession and control revert to the Division. The nursing facility must notify the enrollee’s MCO in writing when the equipment is no longer in use.
  • Federal financing: the Commissioner of Human Services must apply for any State Plan Amendments or waivers necessary to implement the law and obtain federal financial participation for Medicaid expenditures.
  • Rulemaking: the Commissioner may adopt implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Effective date: the first day of the fourth month after enactment; Commissioner may take anticipatory administrative action before that date.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare enrollees residing in nursing facilities who require motorized wheelchairs.
  • Other affected parties: managed care organizations (prior authorization processes), nursing facilities (notification and equipment handling), the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, and the Department of Human Services (administration, waiver/SPAs, rulemaking).
  • Fiscal impact: the bill could increase Medicaid-covered durable medical equipment spending but may allow federal matching funds through SPAs/waivers and facilitate equipment reuse when possession reverts to the Division.

Legislative history / procedural notes

  • 2024-09-12: Introduced in Assembly; referred to Assembly Health Committee.
  • 2025-02-04: Referred to Transportation (committee referral recorded).
  • 2025-05-28: Amendments filed; printed as A4690A.
  • 2025-06-10: Further amendments; printed as A4690B and recommitted to Transportation.
  • Companion/related bills: S3438, S3588 (Senate companions); A10437 (prior-session version).

Practical considerations

  • Prior authorization requirement preserves clinical review by MCOs but may create administrative steps for nursing facilities and providers.
  • The possessory-interest/reversion mechanism encourages reuse of equipment within Medicaid but requires processes for tracking and retrieval.
  • Implementation depends on successful SPA/waiver approvals to secure federal reimbursement; absent federal matching, state costs could rise.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.