December 2025

The Arc of New Jersey Health Care Advocacy Program promotes quality health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout New Jersey.

2026 Medicare Premiums

In November, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2026 premium, deductible, and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Part A and Part B.

Beginning January 1, 2026:

• Part A inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,736
• Part B standard monthly premium will be $202.90
• Part B deductible will be $283

Additional information, including Part A cost sharing amounts for extended hospital and skilled nursing facility stays and premiums for individuals who do not qualify for free Part A, is available on this CMS web page.

Individuals with limited incomes and resources who qualify for the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can get help with Medicare costs.*

*Most individuals who have Medicaid, prior to qualifying for Medicare, are considered "Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries" (QMBs) and you should not have to apply separately to a MSP.

Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities

The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities is a national health care transition resource center. The goal of the center is to empower youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) ages 12-26 to direct their own transition from pediatric to adult care with no reduction in quality of care and no gaps in service.

What is Health Care Transition (HCT)?

• the process of moving from a pediatric to an adult model of health care.
• learning skills to manage your own health and health services, with support.

This helpful website includes resources for:

• Youth and Young Adults
• Parents and Caregivers
• Clinicians and Direct Service Providers

Check out the website resources and toolkits out here

Free Mental Health First Aid Trainings from The Arc

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training helps people better prepare to support those around them who are struggling with their mental health. Participants learn about the signs and symptoms of someone who is experiencing a mental health situation, as well as techniques they can use to provide firsthand support.

95% of individuals trained in MHFA report feeling better prepared to respond to a mental health crisis.

MHFA training courses are led by a certified MHFA instructor from The Arc. Courses are available virtually or in person. During a one-day course, participants learn about:

• Signs of suicide or harm (to oneself or others)
• Depression and anxiety
• Dealing with past trauma
• MHFA’s five-step action plan: ALGEE
• How to assist in real-life scenarios involving suicidal behaviors, panic attacks, PTSD, and overdoses through role playing
• Techniques for connecting individuals to professional help

Thanks to funding from United Health Foundation, 10 chapters of The Arc are offering virtual and in-person MFHA trainings throughout 2026. If you are interested in a private training for your group or organization, contact mauger@thearc.org

More information here

Hurdles to Healthcare Series

A recent NorthJersey.com investigative series showed how, despite decades of disability rights laws, barriers to care remain widespread for people with disabilities.

In NJ, people with disabilities face indignity, missed diagnoses, barriers to health care

NJ's health system has a huge gap in care for people with disabilities on Medicaid

In NJ, managed care means delays and denials for disabled patients: 'Not a fair fight'

Beyond the ramp: These New Jersey clinics are redefining disability access in health care

Greater Financial Strength for People whose Disability Began Before Age 46

ABLE eligibility expands on January 1, 2026

ABLE eligibility is expanding to include people whose disability began before the age of 46, instead of 26. You can explore the power of saving and investing with NJ ABLE.

ABLE account benefits include:

• Tax-deferred earnings and tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses^*1

• No impact on critical government benefits^*2

• Flexible investment options to meet savings goals

• Complements other financial tools

For more information: 

• Visit NJ ABLE
• Call: (888) 609-8869
• Email: nj.clientservice@savewithable.com

*1 The earnings portion of a non-qualified withdrawal will be counted as income, taxed at the account owner’s tax rate, and subject to a 10% federal tax penalty and any applicable state taxes.

*2 The first $100,000 in an ABLE account is excluded from the SSI resource limit.

Read important disclosures and product information

Request for Information Regarding Disability Clinical Care and Provider Competency

The National Council on Disability (NCD) officially posted a Request for Information (RFI) related to ongoing work on disability clinical care and provider competency. Comments must be submitted by 11:59 EST on January 6, 2025.

View the RFI here

This is an important opportunity for the public to provide insight that will help shape national understanding and federal initiatives.

Your lived experiences, research, program outcomes, and frontline perspectives are invaluable—and NCD is actively seeking this information. Your contributions will directly support stronger clinical care for people with disabilities and reinforce the importance of competency standards across healthcare professions.nly 7

Getting a Flu Shot: A Social Story for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This social story helps readers understand why it’s important to get a flu shot and what to expect when getting the shot. Direct Support Professionals, family members, and others that provide support can use this social story to prepare people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for getting the flu shot.

Read the full story in ENGLISH and SPANISH

PPP Fiscal Intermediary Transition Webinars

The Personal Preference Program (PPP) is hosting two webinars for PPP participants, authorized representatives, families, workers, and community members regarding the fiscal intermediary transition with fiscal intermediaries, Palco and Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL).

Each fiscal intermediary will have a dedicated session to provide transition updates, address questions, and gather feedback from the community.Registration is required and you may register for both sessions. Please note that these sessions are for PPP only and cannot address DDD’s transition to Acumen.

Session 2: PPP FI Transition: Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL)

January 7, 2026 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM

If you wish to submit questions/comments please email the PPP Team at MAHS.PPP@dhs.nj.gov by January 5, 2026.

Please visit the PPP’s web page for fiscal intermediary, Managed Care

Organization, and the PPP State Program Office contact details: PPP.NJ.goy/

Virtual Office Hours

The Health Care Advocacy Program offers virtual office hours on Mondays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Meet with the Director of Health Care Advocacy to discuss healthcare questions or concerns, for example, regarding Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security, as they affect your family member or loved one with IDD.

Appointment slots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and may be limited to 20 minutes, as needed, to accommodate more people. Please be patient!

The Arc of New Jersey Health Care Advocacy

healthcareadvocacy@arcnj.org

732-246-2567

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