NJ KidCare To Become NJ FamilyCare

New Health Plan Covers Entire Family Including Children

The Office of NJ KidCare will become known as the Office of NJ FamilyCare, after Governor Christie Whitman recently signed into legislation a bill  for NJ FamilyCare an affordable health insurance program that provides  coverage for the states uninsured adults.

Now, in addition to the more than 70,000 children enrolled in NJ KidCare, nearly 125,000 previously uninsured working and moderate income New Jerseyans will be able to afford health insurance under the new program, said Govenor Whitman.

NJ FamilyCare will cover the eligible parents/ guardians of children who are currently either enrolled or eligible for NJ KidCare Plans A, B or C. Like NJ KidCare, NJ FamilyCare coverage will also include hospital care, preventive services, doctors visits, prescription drugs and mental health services.

NJ FamilyCare is available to parents/guardians who have incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four with  a monthly income up to $2,842 would qualify. Uninsured childless adults with income levels up to 100% of the federal poverty level will also qualify.  A single adult making up to $696 monthly or a childless couple making up to $938 monthly could be eligible for NJ FamilyCare.

A highlight of the program is that it will provide health insurance for legal immigrants who are  awfully admitted for permanent residence  including parents, children, single adults and  married couples without children, even if they  have lived in this country less than five years.

Other elements of the plan include:

Governor Whitman hopes to dedicate $100 million annually, beginning in Fiscal Year 2002, from the state’s tobacco settlement to pay for  NJ FamilyCare. In Fiscal Year 2001, $70 million will be used to launch the program. The Governor has proposed using two-thirds of tobacco  settlement money for healthcare initiatives.

Families who need information on this valuable new program can continue to call 1-800-701-0710.  For now, we will be known as the Office of NJ FamilyCare and NJ KidCare, eventually transitioning to simply the Office of NJ FamilyCare. The NJ FamilyCare Web site is available at www.njfamilycare.org.