To protect the health and safety of the older residents, the State has taken several steps including:

• Temporarily allowing supervising nurses to conduct required plan-of-care evaluations by phone or video-chat instead of in person. This limits the number of health care providers required to visit patient homes on a routine basis and guards against the spread of COVID-19 from healthcare workers to elderly and medically fragile individuals by making in-person supervisory visits, which typically occur at least every 60 days, unnecessary. The rule waiver, which takes effect immediately, will remain in place throughout the COVID-19 state of emergency.
• Mobilizing nurse care managers at Medicaid health plans to call high risk populations to identify and address their critical needs including supplies such as durable medical equipment and food;
• Allowing older residents receiving prescription drugs through Medicaid or the state prescription drug assistance program (PAAD and Senior Gold) to refill their prescriptions early and receive 90-day supplies of maintenance medications;
• Working with our county partners to ensure that those receiving home-delivered meals continue to have access to food;
• Partnering with counties to end congregate dining in senior centers while helping to ensure that participants continue to have access to food;
• Working with counties to support telephone outreach to seniors known to be socially isolated;
• Encouraging health care providers to use telehealth for routine visits, as appropriate;
• Working closely with community and institutional providers to ensure resident needs are met; and
• Conducting telephonic outreach for our most vulnerable residents seeking enrollment in social service benefits.

In addition, through NJ Save, low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescription costs, and other living expenses. Seniors can see if they qualify and apply online here: https://njdoas-ua.force.com/njsave/quickstart

For Medicare counseling and general aging services questions call 1-800-792-8820

For NJ Save (PAAD, Sr. Gold, Medicare Saving Programs, Lifeline, and more) call 1-800-792-9745

For access to aging services in your county call 1-877-222-3737

Additional resources for older residents can be found here.

Posted/Updated: 3/30/20

Source: https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/news/press/2020/approved/20200318b.html