Medicaid Should Cover Motor Wheelchairs In NJ Nursing Homes: Lawmakers

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Just because you’re in a nursing home doesn’t mean that someone is always around to push your wheelchair, a New Jersey lawmaker says.

Earlier this month, a proposed state law that would require Medicaid coverage of motorized wheelchairs for residents of nursing facilities advanced in the New Jersey Senate.

The bipartisan bill was sponsored by Sens. Renee Burgess of the 28th district and Anthony Bucco of the 25th district. The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee unanimously voted to advance the proposed law on Feb. 3. It now heads to the Budget and Appropriations Committee for further review.

Here’s why the bill is needed, according to its sponsors:

“In New Jersey, although Medicaid would typically cover the cost for a motorized wheelchair for patients who would benefit from one and are prescribed such a wheelchair, residents of nursing facilities are subject to the discretion of the nursing facility. This bill, S-3438, would require Medicaid coverage of motorized wheelchairs for nursing facility residents when an enrollee is prescribed the motorized wheelchair by their licensed physician or primary health care provider and have received prior authorization. In doing so, residents of nursing facilities who can benefit from a motorized wheelchair, and in the professional opinion of their doctor need one, can more easily acquire the wheelchair and gain mobility independence.”

“Without access to motorized wheelchairs, many people with disabilities are essentially stuck in place, with both their mobility and their independence stifled,” Burgess said.

“For residents of nursing facilities, this remains true,” she continued. “Though 24/7 care is ostensibly provided, that does not mean there is always someone available to individually push your wheelchair, and needing to do so in the first place only serves to needlessly occupy the time of a nursing facility worker, which in these often-understaffed facilities can mean less care for a patient who needs it more.”

The 28th District includes the municipalities of Irvington, Maplewood, Newark and South Orange in Essex County, and Hillside in Union County.

A companion bill has been introduced in the New Jersey Assembly.

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