HealthStart, a joint program of the New Jersey Departments of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Human Services (DHS), is the result of a major 1988 State initiative. The program was designed as a special package of Medicaid services to improve the accessibility and scope of maternal and child health services, available to all Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and children under age two residing in New Jersey.
The comprehensive packages of maternity and pediatric preventive care services are available at HealthStart-certified hospitals, community-based agencies, and private-practice settings. HealthStart services are based on professional standards of care and published guidelines, which are consistent at all provider sites. HealthStart providers must first be Medicaid providers; however, not all Medicaid providers automatically become HealthStart providers. Medicaid providers who apply and meet the criteria, become certified by the DHSS as HealthStart providers. Certification verifies the provider's ability to deliver the required, comprehensive HealthStart services. HealthStart certified providers are authorized enhanced reimbursement by Medicaid for these comprehensive services.
The service package contains two major components: medical and health support services. The medical component includes obstetrical prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care services. Health support services include: case coordination, health education, nutrition, and social/psychological services, development and implementation of a written Plan of Care, follow-up and home visits.
For a HealthStart application and the HealthStart Guidelines, please review this web page. For further information, please contact the Reproductive and Perinatal Health Services/MCCH at (609) 292-5616.
- Maternity Services
- Required Forms for HealthStart Program
- Guidelines - Comprehensive Maternity Care Services (01/97)
Entire Document: (PDF 1.2K) (Contains both part 1 and appendicies)
Part 1 (PDF 105K)
Appendicies (PDF 1.9K)
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Family Health Services
