ARTICLE
The Medical Center urges patients to plan for the unwinding of the Public Health Emergency (Paramus, NJ) – Paramus, NJ – Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is working with patients to help them keep their healthcare coverage as the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends. We are committed to assuring everyone has access to healthcare and has necessary health insurance coverage. Since March 2020, NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid has followed the federal COVID-19 PHE rules allowing NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid members to keep healthcare coverage, even if they no longer qualify. When the federal government determines that the PHE is over, NJ FamilyCare will resume standard federal rules. As the PHE ends, NJ FamilyCare will begin “unwinding” or reviewing members enrolled in an NJ FamilyCare program to see if they still qualify for coverage. Those currently covered will receive mail from the State of New Jersey, or their County Board of Social Services asking members to provide or confirm additional information. NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid will decide which members still qualify for healthcare coverage. Members who do not respond to NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid mail will lose their coverage. The unwinding begins on April 1, 2023, and ends on December 31, 2024. Bergen New Bridge can help patients with the application process. A Bergen County Board of Social Services caseworker will be at the Medical Center to assist with applications on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30am to 12pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm. Appointments can be scheduled by email at CentralScheduling@newbridgehealth.org or by phone at 201.225.7130. For more information, visit Patient Financial Services (newbridgehealth.org). If you still qualify for coverage, nothing will change. If you no longer qualify, watch for guidance on applying for coverage through the healthcare market. An extra open enrollment period will be available soon. ABOUT BERGEN NEW BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC), a clinical affiliate of Rutgers, is a 1,070-bed hospital located at 230 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, NJ. The Medical Center is both the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in NJ and the fourth largest, publicly owned hospital in the nation. Bergen New Bridge, a not-for-profit safety net facility, provides high-quality comprehensive services, including acute and ambulatory care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, long-term care, 24/7 emergency department, surgical suites, physical rehabilitation, pharmacy, laboratory, radiologic services (including digital mammography). It is a leading provider of COVID 19 testing, vaccinations, and therapeutics. The Medical Center also has satellite offices in Bergenfield, Englewood, and Paterson. Primary care and other health and wellness services are available at the hospital's CareRite Now centers located in select Inserra Supermarkets in Bergen County. Bergen New Bridge is in network with all major New Jersey commercial insurance plans covering 99.91% of NJ residents and is a Veterans Community Care Provider. It is also a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Learn more at www.newbridgehealth.org.