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How can I keep my health insurance if I lose my job?
The New Jersey Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP)
is a special program for New Jersey residents with HIV or AIDS. This program allows you to keep your health insurance when you can no longer
work or when you can only work part time. If you qualify, HICP will pay the monthly payments (premiums) for your health insurance, including
family insurance that covers your spouse and/or children.
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Why wouldn't I automatically lose my health insurance if my hours are reduced from full-time to part-time,
or I become unemployed?
By law, you may have the right to continue your health insurance at your own expense. The New Jersey HICP can help by paying
these premiums but you must act promptly! If you expect to have trouble paying your medical premiums, apply for help immediately.
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What if I work in a small company?
Even though the law does not apply to small employers, these companies often have policies allowing people to continue their insurance after they leave.
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What if I bought my own insurance?
If you have HIV/AIDS, the HICP helps you keep the health insurance you have, even privately purchased insurance.
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If I don't have health insurance, will the program buy it for me?
No. The New Jersey HICP will only be used to pay for insurance that you already have and are in danger of losing.
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Who is eligible?
An individual can earn up to $54,150 annually. An additional $18,700 is allowed for each household dependent. Income guidelines are updated
in March each year. In addition, your family cash assets (such as bank accounts) must total no more than $25,000.
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How do I apply?
You can request an application from the New Jersey HICP office by calling 1-800-353-3232. Applications are also available at Ryan White HIV Care Consortia/Resource Centers, HIV Clinics, from physicians
who serve HIV patients and from your case manager (who may assist you in completing the application). The completed application must be returned to the New Jersey HICP Office.
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You must provide:
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Once I qualify, how will the program pay my insurance premiums?
The New Jersey HICP coordinator will work with your employer or former employer and your insurance company to make the payments.
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How long will this help be available?
The program will pay your health insurance premiums as long as you continue to be eligible for the program. The law requires that you act within 60 days of
leaving your job or of changing to part-time work if you wish to continue your health insurance coverage.
If you think you may qualify and
need help making insurance payments, YOU MUST ACT NOW. Apply for the Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP).
Call HICP 1-800-353-3232
or write to:
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Insurance Continuation Program
PO Box 363
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0363
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Agencies where applications and additional information may be available:
New Jersey AIDS Hotline
1-800-624-2377
HIV/AIDS Clinics:
- Early Intervention Services:
UMDNJ: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Brunswick, NJ
- VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Center
Asbury Park, NJ
- The Cooper Health Systems
Camden, NJ
- Bon Secours New Jersey Health System
Hoboken, NJ
- UMDNJ
Newark, NJ
- St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Paterson, NJ
- Capital Health System
Trenton, NJ
For services to women, children and adolescents with HIV, you may contact:
Family Centered HIV Care Network
Special Child Health and Early Intervention Services
PO Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
(609) 777-7748
FAX (609) 292-3580
County-Specific Assistance
- If you live in Bergen or Passaic Counties, contact the Bergen-Passaic TGA
Office of AIDS, City of Paterson,
Department of Human Resources
125 Ellison
Paterson, NJ 07505
Catherine Correa (for Mayor Joey Torres)
Phone: 973-321-1242, ext 6
Fax: 973-321-1225
Email: Ccorrea@patcity.com
Website: www.ryanwhitegrantee.com
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If you live in Hudson County, contact the Jersey City TGA
Hudson County Department of Human Services
County Avenue, Bldg 2
Secaucus, NJ 07904
Carol Ann Wilson, Director
Phone 201-271-4357
- If you live in Middlesex, Somerset or Hunterdon Counties, contact the Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon TGA
Ryan White Program, Middlesex County Department of Human Services
1 JFK Square, 5th Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Rachel Hext (for Thomas Seilheimer, Director of Middlesex
County, Department of Human Services)
Phone: 732-745-3149
Fax: 732-745-2568
Email: Rachel.hext@co.middlesex.nj.us
- If you live in Essex, Union, Morris, Sussex or Warren Counties, contact the Newark EMA
Ryan White Program
Newark Department of Health and Human Services
110 William Street
Newark, NJ 0701
Ketlen Alsbrook, Acting Grant Manager (For Mayor Cory Booker)
Phone: (973) 733 - 4818
Fax: (973) 733 - 5444
Email: alsbrookk@ci.newark,nj.us
Website: www.newarkema.org
- If you live in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, or Salem Counties
Contact the Philadelphia EMA
AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO)
City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Health
1101 Market Street, 9th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
John Cella, Director
Phone: 215-685-5667
Fax: 215-685-5223
Email: john.cella@phila.com
Website: www.hivphilly.org
- If you live in Cumberland County, contact the Vineland-Bridgeton-Millville TGA
Tri-County Community Action Agency
110 Cohansey Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Ken Henry (for Herbert Roeschke, Acting Administrator)
Phone: 856-451-6630, ext 267
Fax: 856-455-7288
Email: Khenry@tricountycaa.org
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