NJ Personal Preference Program

New Jersey's Personal Preference Program (PPP) plays a vital role in the healthcare landscape, offering financial assistance to qualified individuals to lead independent lives and manage their activities of daily living effectively. By adopting the "Cash and Counseling" model, the PPP grants participants a budget for their services, putting the power of choice into their hands.

Overview of New Jersey's Personal Preference Program

The Personal Preference Program (PPP) offers an alternative way for NJ FamilyCare Plan A members who qualify for the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services benefit to remain in their homes and active in their communities. NJ FamilyCare Plan A is a part of New Jersey's Medicaid program designed to provide health coverage to various groups of residents in the state. Established to promote independence and self-direction, the PPP provides financial assistance to Medicaid-qualified individuals, empowering them to choose their care and support services.

Through the "cash and counseling" model, the program distributes a budget that would typically be allocated for services directly to the participants. This budget enables them to hire care providers, giving them greater control over their care arrangements. Family members, including spouses, can be employed as caregivers if they are at least 18 years old, allowing loved ones to play an active role in caregiving while receiving fair compensation for their dedication.

Through the "Cash and Counseling" model, the Personal Preference Program empowers participants with a monthly budget to self-direct their care, offering flexibility to choose services and caregivers according to personal needs. This model allows them to hire individuals, including family members, for tasks like personal assistance, housekeeping, and errands. Participants manage their care like running a small business, enhancing their independence and control over their living arrangements. Additionally, the program supports informal caregivers by enabling participants to financially compensate family members or friends for their caregiving services.  

Eligibility Requirements for New Jersey's Personal Preference Program

The eligibility for NJ FamilyCare Plan A includes various categories such as children, parents/caretaker relatives, adults without dependent children, pregnant women, and the aged, blind, and disabled programs, including long-term care. Additionally, to qualify for PCA services, recipients must have NJ FamilyCare Plan A, a doctor's order, live in a community-based residence, have a documented need for hands-on personal care, and require PCA services for at least six months.

NJ FamilyCare Plan A includes eligibility for different categories of individuals:

1. Children under 18: Eligible with higher incomes up to 355% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This includes lawfully admitted children who have lived in the U.S. for fewer than five years.
2. Parents/caretaker relatives: Eligible with income up to 138% FPL, but they must have tax-dependent children in their household to qualify. Adults who have immigrated must have Legal Permanent Resident status in the U.S. for at least five years.
3. Adults without dependent children (ages 19-64): Eligible with income up to 138% FPL. Immigrant adults in this category must also have Legal Permanent Resident status for at least five years.
4. Pregnant women: Eligible up to 205% FPL. Like children, pregnant women who are lawfully admitted can be eligible even if they have lived in the U.S. for fewer than five years.
5. Aged, Blind, Disabled Programs: This includes programs for long-term care.

The income levels mentioned are based on the Federal Poverty Level and are subject to change annually. NJ FamilyCare Plan A covers a broad range of residents, including children, parents, childless adults, pregnant women, and those needing long-term care, with specific income and residency criteria for each category.

Services and supports under New Jersey's Personal Preference Program

The Personal Preference Program (PPP) offers participants remarkable flexibility when utilizing the funds allocated for their care. The program covers a wide range of services and supports that cater to the diverse needs of Medicaid-qualified individuals.

1. Personal assistance services: Participants can hire individuals for assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). These services include bathing, grooming, meal preparation, eating, mobility assistance, housekeeping, shopping, and laundry.
2. Assistive technology: The PPP supports the acquisition of various appliances, devices, and controls that enhance an individual's ability to live independently. Examples of assistive technology include remote controls, specially designed cooking equipment, and motion-sensitive lighting.
3. Home modifications: To accommodate physical challenges, the PPP covers necessary changes to an individual's home. These modifications may include the installation of stair glides, handicap ramps, walk-in tubs, bathroom grip bars, and doorway alterations to accommodate wheelchairs.

The three categories of eligible expenditures empower care recipients to tailor their care and support services according to their unique needs and preferences, promoting greater independence and a higher quality of life. The PPP's focus on personal choice and control over care services distinguishes it as a program that advocates for the well-being and dignity of its beneficiaries.

Compensation for Family Caregivers

Under the Personal Preference Program (PPP) in New Jersey, Medicaid compensates unpaid family caregivers through a cash and counseling model. One of the program's significant advantages is that it allows participants to hire friends or family members, including spouses, as caregivers if they are at least 18.

Here's how the cash and counseling model supports the PPP:

1. Support for self-direction & increased independence: The Cash and Counseling model supports the self-direction aspect of care, where participants have the responsibility and freedom to make decisions, manage, and supervise their own care, functioning in a capacity similar to a small business employer​​. This approach provides an alternative to traditional agency services and grants participants more control over the services they receive​​.
2. Budget management: Participants work with a financial consultant to develop a personalized monthly budget. This budget is used to decide the services needed and to hire individuals or agencies to provide these services. This process empowers participants to tailor their care to their needs and preferences.
3. Employment of caregivers: A significant aspect of the Cash and Counseling model in the PPP is the ability to employ individuals, including family members, to provide personal assistance. Participants can also use their budget for cleaning services, errand services, laundry services, and other aids that support independent living.
4. Flexibility in services and equipment: The model allows the use of the budget for a variety of services and items that increase independence, such as equipment, small appliances, technology, and other items not covered by Medicaid.

A Note from Givers

If you are a family caregiver in New Jersey, don't hesitate to explore the possibilities offered by the Personal Preference Program (PPP). Take a step towards fair compensation for your selfless care by filling out this form to determine your eligibility. Your dedication deserves acknowledgment, and the PPP can be the empowering solution you've been seeking.