Medical Emergency Payment Program (MEPP)
MEPP covers emergency services, including labor and delivery, for New Jersey residents age 19 and older who do not qualify for NJ FamilyCare because they do not meet the U.S. Citizenship or immigration requirement.
Immigration statuses that qualify for MEPP include, but are not limited to:
- Undocumented
- Non-immigrant (student, temporary worker)
- Adults who do not qualify for NJ FamilyCare because they have not been a Lawful Permanent Resident for 5 years
The income guidelines for 2023 are based on the federal poverty level (FPL) and are different for different populations:
- Pregnant women – Family income can be no more than 199% FPL. That is $4,975 a month for a family of 4.
- Adults age 19-64 – Family income can be no more than 138% FPL. That is $3,450 a month for a family of 4.
- Adults age 65 and older and people determined blind or disabled by the Social Security Administration or by the State of NJ can have income no more than 100% FPL. Their resources (assets) must also meet a certain guideline:
- For a single person, that is income of $1,215 a month and resources of $4,000.
- For a couple, that is income of $1,644 a month and resources of $6,000.
Services are limited and only cover:
- Treatment at an acute care hospital for an emergency medical condition. The condition must have severe symptoms (including severe pain) that would probably:
- Place the patient’s health in serious danger,
- Seriously damage the patient’s bodily functions, or
- Seriously damage a body part or organ.
- Labor and delivery of a baby in any setting
How to apply for MEPP
There are several ways you can apply for MEPP:
- Hospital staff will help you figure out how to pay your medical bills. If they think you qualify for MEPP, they will apply for you.
- If you are pregnant, it is important to get prenatal (pregnancy) care. Your services can be covered by the NJ Supplemental Prenatal and Contraceptive Program (NJSPCP). When the provider helps you apply for NJSPCP, you can also ask for MEPP to cover your labor and delivery.
- Visit your local County Board of Social Services within 3 months after the emergency.
- If your emergency was labor and delivery that did not happen in a hospital, you must have bills that list labor and delivery charges.
