New Jersey Medicaid

Medicaid is the federal-state partnership created by Congress in 1965 to finance health care services for the nations's poor people. Originally Medicaid was designed to provide services to recipients of cash assistance through welfare programs. The program has expanded over time, most notably for women and children. Medicaid pays for hospital, doctor, prescriptions, nursing home and other healthcare needs.

New Jersey has participated in the program since 1970. Today, New Jersey Medicaid is the largest social services program in state government. It provides for the healthcare needs of more than 1,000,000 people.

To be eligible for New Jersey Medicaid, a person must meet these general requirements:

In addition, a person must fall into one of the following categories:

Within New Jersey Medicaid are also a number of special programs designed to meet the specific medical needs of certain groups of people who would not otherwise qualify for the program.

These include:

Since 1996, the Department of Health and Senior Services has administered all services and programs for senior beneficiaries. The Division of Disability Services has administered the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver programs since July 1, 2001.