Mainstreaming Medical Care

The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care Program promotes quality health care for people with developmental disabilities throughout New Jersey. Click here for the program brochure.

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Healthy Times, a medical newsletter for health care professionals and caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is now electronic! To receive the e-version of Healthy Times please fill in the form below and submit.

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The Arc of NJ's 31st Annual Conference on Medical Care

for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, June 10th & 11th, 9 am to 12 pm.

A VIRTUAL EVENT!

We are pleased to announce that the conference brochure for The Arc of NJ's 31st Annual Conference on Medical Care is now available.

Please see below for the electronic brochure and registration. For your convenience you can register online, via mail or fax, whichever is easiest for you. Online registration allows you to register multiple individuals at once. Please forward this to others who may also be interested.

Online Registration
2021 Conference Brochure

Opening of a mass COVID vaccination site in Newark
New Video! Understanding COVID-19 Vaccinations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) - Recorded January 15, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I-DD) in New Jersey - Recorded live on January 11, 2021. The Arc of New Jersey is delighted to present a free webinar on COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals with I/DD with speaker David Adinaro, MD, M.Eng, FACEP, the New Jersey Department of Health Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services since June 2020. David has had a long and distinguished medical career, including serving as the Chief of Emergency Medicine and Vice President/Chief Medical Officer at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson. During this webinar, Dr. Adinaro will explain New Jersey's plans for COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their caregivers. He will be able to provide important information, including an anticipated timeframe of when and where the COVID-19 vaccine will be available.
Up-to-Date Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine - Recorded live on January 6, 2021, speaker Leone Murphy, APN, the Chair of The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care Program, presented valuable information about the COVID vaccines that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Attendees also learned the importance of recognizing the typically mild side effects of the vaccine (e.g., headache, muscle soreness, or low-grade fever) and how to manage them.
Webinar on September 1, 2020: Community support safeguards for individuals with I/DD during the COVID-19 pandemic - Posted: August 18, 2020
Clarification: New Jersey's Personal Preference Program (PPP) and "fast track" enrollment process - Posted: August 17, 2020
New Jersey's Personal Preference Program (PPP) is helpful for individuals with I/DD - Posted: July 28, 2020
Employees Laid-Off from Their Job Now Have More Time to Sign Up for COBRA - Posted July 21, 2020
How to Obtain Information from Social Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Posted: July 14, 2020
COVID-19 and Information from the NJ Department of Banking Insurance - Posted: July 6, 2020
DMAHS Medicaid Communication- NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid guidance during COVID-19 pandemic
Important Information- The economic impact payment for persons with I/DD who receives SSI or Social Security benefits, including SSDI, and who is a dependent on someone else's tax return.
COVID-19: Health passport, if person I/DD needs to be hospitalized- Hospital Patient Summary for Person with Developmental Disability with Possible COVID-19
Economic Impact payments for persons with I/DD who receive Social Security, SSI or SSDI benefits- View Article
NJ's COVID-19 Information Hub Symptom check and live updates
The Arc of NJ's COVID-19 Information and Resource Page
Medicaid updates: Telehealth information; Medicaid terminations prohibited during Coronavirus emergency (April 1, 2020)
Office of Civil Rights - Non-discrimination for persons with disabilities during Coronavirus pandemic
MEDICAID TERMINATIONS PROHIBITED DURING CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY- Federal legislation passed on March 18, 2020 bars all Medicaid terminations during the course of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19. In New Jersey, all Medicaid programs are considered part of NJ FamilyCare. If you were enrolled in Medicaid as of March 18, those benefits must be continued, unless you move out of state or voluntarily request termination, until the last day of the month when this public health emergency is officially ended. If you become aware of anyone whose Medicaid benefits have been terminated during this period, they can contact Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) for help at 1-888-576-5529 or https://lsnjlawhotline.org/. (March 31, 2020)
NJ Health - Guidance on the Contact of a Close or Casual Contact of a Confirmed or Suspected Case of COVID-19 (March 30, 2020)
Important information from the AADMD Coronavirus Center for persons with I/DD (March 27, 2020)
The science of why soap, sanitizer and warm water work (March 25, 2020)
Positive Pulse - Coronavirus Info and Safety
Plain language resource from Green Mountain Self Advocates on CoronaVirus. This easy to read booklet about the Coronavirus is from SARTAC. It is in English and Spanish. It was written by and for people with developmental disabilities. (March 24, 2020)
- Plain Language Booklet on Coronavirus
- Spanish Plain Language Booklet on Coronavirus
Positive Pulse (March 23, 2020)
- There's No Place Like Home (PART I)
- There's No Place Like Home (PART 2)
Coronavirus updates: New information from Social Security and the Federal Trade Commission (March 20, 2020)
Social Security Offices- Effective March 17, 2020 Social Security Offices Will Only Offer Phone Service (March 17, 2020)
Prescription Medications - Important Alert: COVID-19 and ensuring access to prescription medications (March 16, 2020)
COVID-19 - Coronavirus Prevention Flyer (March 13, 2020)
Governor Murphy Announces- Efforts to Support Consumer Access to COVID-19 Screening (March 12, 2020)
Coronavirus Testing: The Information Gap (March 12, 2020)
NJ Sick Leave Information- Explainer: Sick Leave Law in NJ (March 12, 2020)
How to Prevent Respiratory Illnesses- Including the Coronavirus

Important: Spend-down from last year's stimulus payment to Medicaid beneficiaries
Navigating The Medicaid Maze Link - This presentation will address questions and concerns that often arise when parents are planning to collect their own social security, and they have a son/daughter who receives DDD services. Presented on December 9, 2020
New Jersey's Plan to Rollout the COVID-19 Vaccine - Read full article
December 1st termination of the contract between CHOP and United Healthcare Community Plan - Read More
The 2021 Medicare Part D Changes for Persons Who Have Both Medicare and Medicaid (The Dual Eligibles)- This webinar discussed the details of the changes in 2021 and how they will affect individuals with developmental disabilities who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Overview of Medicaid for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: This webinar provided an overview of several ways that individuals with I/DD can be eligible for Medicaid presented on March 12, 2020, hosted by The Family Institute, speaker Beverly Roberts.
- View Webinar Recording & Slides
What every family needs to know about Special Needs Trusts (SNT) for individuals with Developmental Disabilities two-part webinar series
- PART ONE OF TWO. Paul Prior, Esq., from Hinkle Prior and Fischer, provided an overview of Special Needs Trusts and explained why all trusts are not the same. See this link for a recording of the webinar and the slides. Presented on January 14, 2020.
- PART TWO OF TWO. Maria Fischer, Esq., from Hinkle, Prior, and Fischer, explained what families need to know about purchasing necessary items for their son/daughter with I/DD with money from the SNT. She discussed which types of expenditures are allowable and which are not, in accordance with NJ Medicaid rules and regulations. She also explained the importance of keeping receipts for all expenditures from the SNT and what to do when the individual with I/DD needs an expensive item costing $5,000 or more. See this link for a recording of the webinar and the slides. Presented on February 3, 2020.
FAQs on SSI Overpayments
2019/20 Flu Information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) current flu information.
Medicaid and Private Health Insurance / for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)- Revised 2019
The Revised Family Crisis Handbook: A Mental Health, Stabilization, and Wellness Toolkit are now available online, at no cost. This is an extremely valuable resource for individuals with disabilities who have a dual diagnosis, their families, and professional caregivers: The Revised Family Crisis Handbook
NJTV highlighted a four-part series that dives into the complexities and challenges for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Please click below to watch these important videos in this series to learn more.
- Series # 1 - Dementia in Down syndrome adults causing caregiver crisis
- Series # 2 - Is NJ prepared for more developmentally disabled adults living into their senior years?
- Series # 3 - Is legal guardianship necessary for adults with developmental disabilities?
- Series # 4 - NJ’s most vulnerable residents: Understanding the challenges of a dual diagnosis
Important information for the new year - Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Social Security.
Webinar Recording & Fact Sheets - SSI and Medicaid for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
"Persons with I/DD Growing Old: Understanding and Supporting Age-Related Health Changes" Webinar, presented by The Family Institute on December 12, 2018.
Important Information for persons with I/DD who receive SSI or SSDI
New Jersey Launches NJ ABLE Accounts to Help Individuals with Disabilities Save for Expenses: Read More
Need to find a physician that makes home visits? American Academy of Home Care Medicine Provider Listing!
Accessing DDD Services at age 21- Steps to follow when requesting DDD services at 21. Fact Sheet.
How to continue a parent's private health insurance when a child with I/DD is approaching age 26 - Fact Sheet

Frequently Requested Fact Sheets & Forms

Resources and Information:

Dual Diagnosis Resources

Family Crisis Handbook, Emergency Quick Reference Guide
Dual-EligiblesIndividuals who have both Medicaid & Medicare, see our brand new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on dual eligibles with I/DD - persons who receive both Medicaid and Medicare. Our FAQs are separated into three sections; general Information, Prescription medications and special needs plans (D-SNPs), 2019 Medicare Part D Changes for Dual Eligibles Webinar
Fact Sheets & Flyers

Non-DAC Fact Sheet, Dual Eligibles FAQ Fact Sheets, Accessing DDD Services at 21 Fact Sheet, Medicaid Eligibility Form, Medicaid Problem Form, DAC Flyer, Healthmeet Flu Flyer, SSI & Continues Medicaid Eligibility Flyer
Health Promotion & News Articles

Public health related promotions and newsarticles
Healthy Times Newsletter

Review current and past newsletters
Health & Wellness Material

Let's Talk About Health, a comprehensive & educational program with materials that address health care issues of people with developmental disabilities including Cancer screening information, Diabetes material and order form for the CD or booklet and The Arc of NJ's Women's Health Project.
Medicaid Resources

Medicaid Eligibility Form, Medicaid Problem Form, clarification on the PPP program and a parent/guardian being employed to provide the PPP services, Information on NJ Medicaid, Applying for ABD Medicaid as a Disabled Adult Child (DAC), Medicaid-Covered Transportation More Than 20 Miles from Home, Medicaid Coverage for "Thick It"
Medicare Resources

The 2021 Medicare Part D Changes Webinar for Persons Who Have Both Medicare and Medicaid (The Dual Eligibles), Medicare's Quality Care Finder
Previous Annual Conferences

Our conference focuses on providing current, up-to-date healthcare information on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Problem/Order Forms & Health Forms

Medicaid Eligibility Problem Form, Medicaid Problem Form, Adult Personal Health Record form, English & Spanish, Diabetes Booklet and/or Educational Film, Women's Health Project DVD or workbook
Social Security Resources

Fact Sheets, Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reporting Responsibilities, Applying for SSI & Medicaid, SSA 2017 Fact Sheets, SSI 2017 NJ Payment Rate Chart, and more.
Webinars

Access current and archived webinars

Healthy Times Winter 2018/2019

Inside this edition:

Update on New Jersey's Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)
Transition of Health Care - Building a Bridge from Pediatrics to Adulthood
Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease: New Support Group for Families & Caregivers
A Personal Perspective on Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease
Youtube Video from the National Down Syndrome Society
How to Continue a Parent's Health Insurance when a Child with I/DD is Approaching Age 26
"What is a Non-DAC?" Factsheet Update
Social Security Administration Issues a SCAM ALERT
The Arc of New Jersey's 30th Annual Conference on Medical Care, May 31, 2019 - Save the Date!

Looking for previous Healthy Times issues? Click here