New Jersey Bill Aims to Limit Homecare Audits

TRENTON, New Jersey—Legislation introduced in the state of New Jersey aims to ease regulatory burdens on home healthcare providers.

Bill S 3463 would make the following changes to existing law:

• Raise the annual Medicaid reimbursement threshold for personal care assistance services that would trigger an audit for health care service firms from $250,000 to $500,000.
• Require healthcare service firms to submit audits no later than Sept. 30th of the calendar year in which it is due.
• Revise the compensation threshold for reporting requirements for health care service firms from between $1 million and $10 million, to less than $10 million.
• Revise the information that is to be contained in the healthcare service firm’s report.
• Provide for corrective action in certain cases. 
• Permit audits to be performed by out-of-state accountants.

Bill S 3463 was sponsored by New Jersey’s state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and signed into law by the state’s Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

“Families depend on homecare providers to help their loved ones live safely and comfortably, and those providers should be able to spend their time caring for patients,” said Bucco. “By signing this bill into law, we are maintaining necessary accountability and oversight while helping ensure patients receive the quality care they deserve. It will also give families the peace of mind they need and allow small health care providers to focus on doing what they do best.”