The New Jersey Supplementary Prenatal Care Program provides prenatal care at health centers and hospitals for low-income pregnant women who would qualify for Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare coverage except for their immigration status.

The Supplementary Prenatal Program covers pregnancy-related services that are provided at a health center or hospital, including primary care, radiology, and laboratory services. This includes radiology and laboratory services that are ordered by a health center. Pregnancy-related prescription medicines dispensed at the health center or hospital are also covered.

If you are eligible for the program, the health center or hospital will determine you to be “presumptively eligible” when you seek prenatal health care. But you must follow up and complete an application for the Supplemental Prenatal Program either with a Medicaid worker who is stationed at the health center or hospital or at your local county board of social services. See County Welfare Agencies (Boards of Social Services) (from the New Jersey Department of Human Services).

New Jersey provides partial funding for the Supplemental Prenatal Program annually in the state budget (July 1 through June 30). But when funding runs out during the year, the program no longer pays health centers and hospitals for this care. If this happens while you are receiving prenatal care through this program, the health center or hospital will continue to provide your prenatal care. But you may have to pay a small fee for your care under the facility’s Charity Care program. The cost of labor and delivery will be covered under the Medical Emergency Program for Aliens (Emergency Medicaid), and you should apply for this at the beginning of the third trimester in your pregnancy. Again, you must apply through a Medicaid worker at the health center or hospital or at your local county board of social services. See County Welfare Agencies (Boards of Social Services) (from the New Jersey Department of Human Services).

This information last reviewed 3/21/10.