New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI)

We recently spoke with Shari Gold, Senior VP, Regulatory Compliance and Chief Quality & Equity Officer, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, about achieving the Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification, strengthening the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Key improvements include health literacy initiatives, DEI education, bias-reducing hiring practices, and tools to address social determinants of health. These efforts raise the bar for equity and quality in care: https://lnkd.in/ecFZ8aUh

Our new report uncovers critical gaps in access to dental care for young children enrolled in NJ FamilyCare. Through “secret shopper” research, we found that 51% of dental practices listed in Medicaid managed care directories for children 0 to 6 would not schedule an appointment for a two-year-old child, leaving many families unable to access essential, covered care. These findings highlight systemic issues, including inaccurate directories, low reimbursement rates, and inadequate oversight. We call on policymakers, providers, and advocates to address these barriers and ensure every child has access to the oral health care they need. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e6VimnEa | https://lnkd.in/eFnRVKTb

Join us for a Quality Improvement Virtual Learning Session & Celebration of NJ Quality Teams: What to expect: ✅ Insights on The Joint Commission’s Equity Certification & hospital health equity initiatives ✅ 2025 Leapfrog Hospital and ASC Survey updates with Missy Danforth, SVP of Health Care Ratings ✅ Recognition of the incredible work of NJ hospital quality teams This session is for health care leaders, quality teams, employers, purchasers, policy makers, and advocates committed to improving hospital safety and health equity. Don't miss out: https://lnkd.in/evUiEQUe

NJ Spotlight News highlighted our new "secret shopper" report on the critical issue of access to dental care for children. We found that 51% of dental practices listed in Medicaid managed care directories for children 0 to 6 would not schedule an appointment for a two-year-old child, leaving many families unable to access essential, covered care. Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/eXmj6qMC | Our press release: https://lnkd.in/e6VimnEa #HealthCareQuality #OralHealth #NJHealth  

NJHCQI Released its Secret Shopper Survey Research which revealed that NJ Medicaid MCOs have “Ghost” Dental Networks for New Jersey’s youngest children. The lack of dentists who will see young children enrolled in Medicaid creates significant barriers to dental care for those enrolled in New Jersey’s Medicaid Program. As explained in the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute’s report, 51% of dental providers listed in Medicaid managed care directories would not schedule an appointment for a two year old, leaving many New Jersey families unable to find fundamental and covered dental care for their children. All health organizations recommend that children start dental care once their teeth come in, around one year old. These inaccurate directories, sometimes called "ghost networks," indicate that MCOs are not meeting their contractual obligation to the State and that NJ Medicaid is failing to effectively enforce its contracts with the MCOs. The data reveal alarming gaps in access for basic preventive dental care: Only 49% of the listed dental practices (in the directories for children ages 0 to 6) would schedule an appointment for a two-year-old child, despite the practices being listed in those directories. 37% of dental practices in the 0 to 6 directories said they did not, in fact, accept the specific insurance even though they were listed as being in network. 14% of the practices were unreachable, with no answer after two attempts. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/e6VimnEa | https://lnkd.in/eFnRVKTb

Today’s #WednesdayWisdom comes from Gregory Woods, assistant commissioner at the NJ Department of Human Services and head of the division which oversees #NJFamilyCare, New Jersey’s #Medicaid program. He recently shared the program’s priorities for 2025 in this New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) #TakeFiveInterview: https://lnkd.in/efUfyQf3 

I often hear lighthearted jokes about working for the NJ Dental Association—whether it’s a legislator or a fellow lobbyist saying, “I’m good, I just had my teeth cleaned,” or “Don’t judge me, I haven’t been to the dentist in a while.” Others may quip, “I love my dentist. Look at my smile!” But when reports like the one from the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) (NJHCQI) highlight how challenging it can be for a mother to access quality dental care for her child—even with Medicaid—it serves as a stark reminder: oral health is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Access to good oral health is as critical as access to medical care, education, or housing. When systemic barriers prevent people from receiving the care they need, the ripple effects are profound. Oral health is health. It’s time we treat it as such and work toward making it accessible for everyone. #OralHealth #HealthcareAccess #Advocacy #NJDentalAssociation

Thank you for reposting our press release and working with us to fix Ghost Networks in NJ Medicaid. Early Oral Health is essential to life long health and prosperity. Let’s do right by New Jersey’s children. New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) KinderSmile Foundation NJ Department of Health NJDHSS

Thank you for reposting our press release and working with us to fix Ghost Networks in NJ Medicaid. Early Oral Health is essential to life long health and prosperity. Let’s do right by New Jersey’s children. New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) KinderSmile Foundation NJ Department of Health NJDHSS

Reflecting on a Remarkable Year at the Quality Institute: As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to reflect on a year of impactful accomplishments. From hosting dynamic conferences, to advancing health equity through innovative programs, we have worked tirelessly to improve health and well-being across New Jersey. Our events brought thought leaders and stakeholders together for meaningful dialogue, our collaborations strengthened partnerships, and our initiatives made a real difference in the lives of individuals and families. From addressing inequities in maternal health care to providing critical resources to local leaders, we are proud of the progress made this year. Thank you to all our partners, supporters, and stakeholders who contributed to these successes. Together, we’ve achieved so much—and we look forward to another year of innovation, collaboration, and positive change in 2025. #HealthCareQuality #HealthEquity #NewJersey #YearInReview #HealthCare