NJ Delays Changes to Home Health Care Payments

A revamp of programs to make it easier for elderly New Jersey residents to get help paying for home health care has been delayed until summer.

The state had hoped to start a consolidation of Medicaid programs to pay for home health aides, adult day care, assisted living and other services on Jan. 1.

Officials tell The Record that the target date is now July 1.

That's the same day of a change for the way the state pays nursing homes by having private insurance companies manage the contracts.

The state Department of Human Services says the delay will make for a smoother transition.

Some advocacy groups such as the AARP say they do not object to New Jersey taking longer to work out details of the changes.

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