In September 2011, the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), in cooperation with the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF), submit a Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver application to the US Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid seeking a five-year Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Section 1115 research and demonstration waiver that encompasses nearly all services and eligible populations served under a single authority. The document details the state's plan to reform the entitlement program to preserve access and advance innovation in healthcare, and to secure flexibility to manage the State's programs more efficiently.
The Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver would do the following for Behavioral Health Services:
- Integrate behavioral health and primary care services
- Develop innovative delivery systems - MBHO, ASO
- Support community alternatives to institutional placement
- Braid funding
- Provide opportunities for rate rebalancing
- Transition no-risk model to risk-based model
- Increase focus on children, SAI and consumers with developmental disabilities
To provide comment to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services on the proposed changes to behavioral health services under the Waiver, email MBHOinput@dhs.state.nj.us. See links below for additional information pertaining to MBHO initiatives.
Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver Application
Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver Application/DMHAS PowerPoint summary
NJ Stakeholder meeting 1/20/12 PowerPoint
Steering Committee meeting 1/20/12 PowerPoint
