Community Choice

The Office of Community Choice Options is responsible for three major functions:

  • Implements nursing facility level regulations, policies and procedures to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries in need of long-term care receive quality services and appropriate service delivery in the least restrictive care setting;
  • Administers the Pre-Admission Screening program statewide in two Regional Field Offices. Pre-Admission Screening is a care needs assessment process available to persons applying for Medicaid reimbursed long-term care in either nursing facilities or home and community-based alternatives. Pre-Admission Screening helps applicants and families choose care settings for long-term care services delivery and assists them in securing the selected placement site;
  • Administers and supervises the statewide Community Choice Program designed to select short-term Medicaid Nursing Facility residents, provide them with choices on community-based alternatives, and coordinate their discharge. This program encourages individuals capable of living in the community to do so. Consumers are identified, encouraged to consider alternate housing with the necessary services and supports, and assisted as they make the transition from a nursing facility to community housing.

For more information, please contact the OCCO Regional Field Office in your area:

Northern Regional Office

Serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

 (732) 777-4650 45 Kilmer Road
2nd Floor
Edison, NJ 08817
Fax: (732) 777-4681

Southern Regional Office

Serving Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem.

 (609) 704-6050 852 South Whitehorse Pike
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Fax: (609) 704-6055

Promoting Dignity, Independence and Choice

Community Choice is a statewide program created in 1998 to assure that senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and their families are aware of the choices they have when it comes to long-term care.

Community Choice helps nursing facility residents and hospital patients explore various community-based alternatives by providing information about in-home services, housing alternatives, and community programs. The program encourages participants to make well-informed decisions about what is best for their long-term care.

Community Choice assigns counselors – registered nurses and social workers – to meet with nursing home residents and hospital patients and their families. The counselors:

  • Assess health care needs to determine the level of care required and suggest appropriate alternatives
  • Offer information about in-home services, housing providers, and community programs
  • Explain any financial and medical eligibility requirementsRecommend services that will support dignity, choice, and independence

If you, or someone close to you, is in a hospital or nursing facility and could benefit from this program, ask to speak with the Community Choice counselor assigned to that facility or call our toll-free number at 609-588-6675.

Remember: There are options to nursing home care!

Please feel free to Contact Us.