According to the state’s Department of Human Services, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2025 would almost double the maximum Medicaid bonus payment to nursing home facilities that meet quality performance goals, increasing the maximum from $12.60 per resident per day to $23.25 per resident per day. According to the Department, “the largest bonuses” would be awarded to facilities “that focus on retaining nursing staff and maintaining higher nursing staffing levels.”
The Department of Human Services has also proposed to measure nursing facilities using three new metrics: “total nurse staffing hours, nurse staffing retention, and inappropriate weight loss.” The Department hopes these proposed changes will promote higher quality care for nursing home residents.