Yes. NJ FamilyCare is the same program as Medicaid in New Jersey — it is the state’s brand name for Medicaid, and it also includes the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) under the same roof. The New Jersey Department of Human Services runs all of it through one application, one website, and one phone number, so residents do not have to sort out which federal program they fall under.1NJ FamilyCare. Welcome to NJ FamilyCare
Why It Has Two Names
Medicaid is the federal-state health coverage program authorized by Title XIX of the Social Security Act. CHIP, authorized by Title XXI, extends coverage to children in families that earn too much for traditional Medicaid but still need help. New Jersey draws money from both of those federal sources and delivers the coverage under a single state identity called NJ FamilyCare. Traditional Medicaid, the Medicaid expansion for low-income adults, and CHIP for children all live inside that one brand.1NJ FamilyCare. Welcome to NJ FamilyCare
So the short version: every NJ FamilyCare enrollee is a Medicaid or CHIP enrollee. There is no separate New Jersey program sitting next to Medicaid — the name is just the wrapper the state chose for the program the federal government calls Medicaid.
What This Means at the Doctor’s Office
When a hospital, clinic, or pharmacy asks whether you have Medicaid, your NJ FamilyCare card is the answer. Providers who accept Medicaid in New Jersey accept NJ FamilyCare; from their side there is no distinction. The unified name mostly makes it easier for residents to find and apply for coverage rather than navigating separate programs.
Most enrollees get care through a managed care organization rather than a straight fee-for-service arrangement. After you are approved, you pick a health plan from the ones that contract with the state, and that plan handles your provider network, referrals, and prior authorizations. If you do not choose a plan, the state assigns one for you.
Who the Combined Program Covers
Because NJ FamilyCare bundles regular Medicaid, the expansion population, and CHIP, it covers a wider range of New Jersey residents than people sometimes assume Medicaid does. Eligible groups include:2NJ FamilyCare. Who Is Eligible
- Children under 19, at higher income limits than adults, reaching up to 355% of the federal poverty level at the top tier.
- Adults ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. You do not need to have dependent children — this is the Medicaid expansion group.
- Pregnant women at any age with income up to 205% of the federal poverty level, including prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services.
- Adults 65 and older, and people who are blind or have a qualifying disability, under a separate set of rules that also looks at assets.
Household size matters. Your household generally includes you, your spouse if married, and anyone you claim as a tax dependent, and the income limit rises with each additional person. Children lawfully present in the United States and lawfully present pregnant women can enroll without waiting the usual five years that most other lawful permanent residents face. Refugees and asylees can enroll immediately. Under New Jersey’s Cover All Kids initiative, children under 19 who meet the income rules can apply regardless of immigration status.3New Jersey Department of Human Services. Apply for NJ FamilyCare for Your Child, Regardless of Their Immigration Status
What NJ FamilyCare Covers
The benefits package is broad and matches what you would expect from a full Medicaid program:4NJ FamilyCare. What Does It Cover
- Doctor visits, specialist care, and preventive screenings.
- Hospital stays and emergency room care.
- Prescription medications.
- Mental health and substance use treatment.
- Dental and vision care.
- Lab tests and X-rays.
- Autism services, personal care assistance, and community doula services.
Enrollees under 21 get an even broader package under the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) requirement, which covers all medically necessary services for that age group, including some that would not be covered for adults.5Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Essential Health Benefits in the Medicaid Program
How to Apply
Because it is one program with one door, there is one application. You can apply online through the NJ FamilyCare website, by mail using the printable application, or by phone at 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711). After submitting, you receive a confirmation number and, within roughly 30 to 45 days, a written determination letter.6NJ FamilyCare. Apply for NJ FamilyCare
If you had unpaid medical bills in the three months before you applied, NJ FamilyCare can cover them retroactively as long as you would have qualified during those months. You do not have to file a separate request; retroactive eligibility is reviewed as part of your application.7Legal Information Institute. New Jersey Administrative Code 10:79-2.6 – Retroactive Eligibility-Plan A Only
Renewing Each Year
Coverage runs 12 months at a time. The state first tries to renew you automatically using tax and wage data it already has. If it can confirm you still qualify, your coverage continues and you get a notice explaining what was used. If it cannot, the state mails you a pre-filled renewal form and gives you at least 30 days to correct anything and send it back. Missing the deadline can end your coverage, so watch your mail around your renewal date.8State of New Jersey. Stay Covered NJ – Members: Make Sure You Renew
Two Medicaid Rules That Also Apply Here
Because NJ FamilyCare is Medicaid, the federal rules that apply to Medicaid apply to it too. Two are worth knowing before you enroll.
First, estate recovery. If you are 55 or older when you receive NJ FamilyCare benefits, the state may seek reimbursement from your estate after you die for the cost of services you received after turning 55, including managed care payments made on your behalf. Recovery is postponed if you are survived by a spouse, a child under 21, or a blind or permanently disabled child of any age, and the state must waive recovery when it would cause undue hardship. Medicare cost-sharing paid through the Medicare Savings Program is exempt.9New Jersey Department of Human Services. The NJ Medicaid Program and Estate Recovery – What You Should Know
Second, federal legislation is set to restrict Medicaid and CHIP funding for certain lawfully present noncitizens starting October 1, 2026, and NJ FamilyCare has flagged that eligibility rules will change in fall 2026. If your enrollment depends on immigration status, check the NJ FamilyCare site as that date approaches.