Health and Wellness
The unique health and wellness needs of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses can mean treatment will span across different departments and agencies.
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Learn how the services offered by the State of New Jersey for its residents with disabilities or chronic illnesses can provide the best possible care.
Medicare
Medicare provides health insurance coverage for people aged 65 and older, people who have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 months, or people who have certain chronic illnesses (ALS or end-stage renal disease). If you have been receiving SSDI, you will be enrolled in Medicare at the start of your 25th month of benefits. For any questions about the enrollment process, contact your local Social Security Administration office or call the national hotline at 1-800-772-1213.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased counseling for seniors regarding Medicare and other insurance issues and can be reached by calling 1-800-792-8820. Additionally, the ADRC hotline can connect you with services that can also help answer any questions regarding Medicare you may have; the hotline can be found at 1-877-222-3737
Medicaid
Publicly funded health coverage for people with disabilities is also provided by NJ FamilyCare, the State's Medicaid program.
- Most beneficiaries are enrolled in managed care, where a managed care organization (MCO) coordinates one's health needs. For information on how to apply for NJ Family Care, visit the website for GetCoveredNJ, the State's official health insurance marketplace, or NJ FamilyCare's own application page. You can also call NJ FamilyCare's toll-free number at 1-800-701-0710 for more information.
- NJ FamilyCare has grouped the programs available for people with disabilities, such as Supplemental Security Income and NJ Care Special Medicaid Programs, into the Aged, Blind, Disabled Programs designation. To learn more about these specific programs, visit their website or call 1-800-356-1561 to contact your local County Welfare Agency.
- NJ WorkAbility offers full Medicaid coverage to people with disabilities who are working but whose income would otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid. For more information, visit the program's website or call a referral specialist at 1-888-285-3036.
- Managed long-term care supports and services offer private-duty nursing services in the community for children who required a skilled level of care but who are ineligible for NJ FamilyCare and for adults with disabilities who meet clinical level of care and financial eligibility requirements. For more information about available services and application details, visit the DDS website or call the ADRC hotline at 1-877-222-3737.
Pharmaceutical assistance
The pharmaceutical assistance programs offered by the State are available to residents between the ages of 18 and 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits. The programs, PAAD and Senior Gold, lower prescription drug costs for eligible individuals. To learn more about these programs, call the ADRC hotline at 1-877-222-3737, or complete the NJSave Application to enroll in these and other helpful programs, including Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled.
Chronic illness information
The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) is collecting data on and providing support for numerous chronic illnesses, including end-stage renal disease, cancer, and diabetes. To learn more about what DOH is doing to help learn about and treat these illnesses, visit the Chronic Disease Programs webpage.
Overdose Data Dashboard
The New Jersey Overdose Data Dashboard is an initiative that uses data to paint a picture of drug addiction on the State level. To look at the information collected and displayed by the dashboard, visit the DOH Population Health webpage.
Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) programs
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) oversees New Jersey’s adult system of community-based mental and behavioral health services. This includes substance abuse prevention and early intervention services, long- and short-term mental health and substance abuse residential services, and other programs. For more information about the programs overseen by DMHAS, browse their treatment directory, which provides contact information for mental health and substance abuse treatment services. You can also call DMHAS toll free at 1-800-382-6717.
Caregiver support programs
If you provide care for another adult, as over one million New Jerseyans do, you may be eligible for certain programs and benefits. To learn more about caregiving and the resources available to caregivers in the State, visit the Caregiver Resources page on the ADRC website.
Division of Disability Services (DDS) health and wellness initiatives
The Division of Disability Services (DDS) is currently undertaking three initiatives centered around disability health and wellness. For more information about these projects and previous initiatives, go to the DDS website. The initiatives are as follows:
- a five-phase policy, system and environmental change initiative to promote inclusive prevention and intervention efforts for sexual and domestic violence assault survivors with disabilities;
- an initiative that builds on the existing infrastructure for addressing traumatic brain injury (TBI) to expand a statewide coordinated system of services and supports that maximizes the overall health and well-being of people living with TBI; and
- the New Jersey Healthy Communities Network (NJHCN), which aims to enable communities across the state to promote healthy eating and active living, and reduce obesity and chronic disease, especially among residents at highest risk for poor health outcomes.
Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) mental and behavioral health services
Information about mental and behavioral health services for the deaf and hard of hearing has been compiled by DDHH and DDS.
- ACCESS Deaf Services offers behavioral health services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For more information, visit the program website or call 1-973-754-5595 (video call 1-973-870-0683).
- Signs of Sobriety, Inc., has provided support for substance-abuse-recovery services to New Jersey’s deaf and hard-of-hearing residents since 1987. To learn more about the organization, visit their website or call 1-609-882-7677 (video call 1-609-643-5604; TTY 1-800-332-7667).
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) mental and behavioral health services
CBVI offers wellness services for the blind and visually impaired, whether it be the ASPIRE program (a peer support programs for those age 55 and older) or group seminars on adjusting to vision loss held by the Joseph Kohn Training Center. For more information, call the commission at 1-877-685-8878.
Take Control of Your Health workshops
The three workshops that make up the Take Control of Your Health evidence-based program seek to give people with chronic conditions (and/or their caregivers) the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take a more active role in their care. To find a workshop in your area, visit the Division of Aging Services website to find your local agency or call the ADRC hotline at 1-877-222-3737.
- The Diabetes Self-Management Program teaches people with diabetes techniques to deal with the symptoms of the disease, appropriate use of medication, and other important subjects.
- The Cancer Thriving and Surviving program helps people who have recovered from cancer treatment learn exercises for regaining and maintaining flexibility and endurance, develop effective communication techniques for family, friends, and health professionals, and other items.