TRENTON – First Lady Tammy Murphy and New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson Oct. 7 announced a new family planning benefit program for women and men with incomes that are higher than traditional Medicaid eligibility.
According to a release, the benefit, Plan First, provides coverage for birth control, the HPV vaccine, family planning-related lab testing, and other targeted family planning-related health care needs.
The plan provides coverage of targeted family planning services for individuals up to 205% of the federal poverty level, meaning individuals with incomes up to $25,605.
Plan First enrollees will not have co-pays for these benefits. Traditional Medicaid eligibility offers comprehensive health care coverage for individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level or $17,237.
“Plan First increases our residents’ ability to obtain critical health care services,” stated Murphy. “By expanding access to reproductive healthcare, we are working to ensure healthier mothers, babies, and families.”
“The Murphy administration is committed to providing women coverage for quality, affordable health care,” Johnson stated. “Family planning is an essential health care service, and we are pleased to have been able to work with the Legislature, the health care provider community, and women’s advocates on the design and implementation of this critical benefit.”
“Women are finally getting the family planning services they need and deserve under Gov. Murphy’s administration,” stated Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, an advocate for and sponsor of legislation signed by the governor to support women’s health care. “After the prior administration redlined services, it is so important to see this expansion.”
Plan First provides coverage for services such as:
· Comprehensive family planning services for women and men including all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, pregnancy testing, family planning counseling, and screenings for sexually transmitted diseases.
· Over-the-counter birth control methods such as condoms.
· Long-acting reversible contraception.
· Family planning-related laboratory testing, including STD/HIV screenings, and PAP smears.
· Vasectomies for men 21 years of age or older, and HPV immunizations.
Visit www.njfamilycare.org or call 1-800-701-0710 to apply.
“The Department of Human Services is continuing to work hard at modernizing our Medicaid benefits to ensure access to vital services, including contraception for as many women as possible,” stated Human Services Deputy Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “Plan First is a key step forward in our goal of a healthier New Jersey for everyone.”
“We encourage residents to visit our web site or call our hotline to learn about how to apply and begin receiving Plan First coverage,” stated Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Langer Jacobs, who directs Human Services’ Medicaid program. “Plan First is a comprehensive, no-cost option for family planning.”
“Access to reproductive health care should not depend on who you are, your income, or your zip code,” stated Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, vice president of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. “We applaud this move to expand access to affordable care and ensure that more New Jerseyans can receive the lifesaving care they need and deserve.”
“With the launch of the Plan First program, New Jersey is making an important move towards increasing access to contraception and related services for low-income patients throughout the state,” stated Deborah Polacek, RN, New Jersey Family Planning League, vice president of Program Operations. “Plan First will help New Jerseyans avoid unintended pregnancies, and help keep women and families healthy.”
