Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would increase Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care substance use disorder (SUD) treatment cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would increase Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care substance use disorder (SUD) treatment cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (©iStock)

“There are thousands of New Jersey residents in recovery who struggle with addiction every day,” said Singer (R-30). “Many of these individuals rely on partial care services, which include support programs such as counseling and psychiatric care. My legislation will increase Medicaid reimbursement for the critical services that partial care programs provide to some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.”

Singer’s legislation, S-1895, increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for partial care behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services by 35 percent—when the services are provided to an adult Medicaid enrollee on an in-person basis.

The bill also increases the Medicaid reimbursement rate for transportation services to $10 for each one-way trip, an increase of $3 from the current $7 rate.

“Mental health is public health, and the goal of partial care programs is to integrate the individual into the community and prevent relapse and inpatient hospitalization,” added Singer. “By increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, we will make these programs much more affordable for people in need.”