The contracts support coordinated treatment, while the state has yet to identify the funded locations or a rollout schedule.
MORRISTOWN, NJ – Zufall Health and St. James Health will receive a combined $665,928 in state contracts to expand programs bringing medical care, mental health treatment and addiction services together, the New Jersey Department of Human Services announced October 5.
Zufall, which operates health centers in Morristown and Dover, was awarded $274,653. Newark-based St. James Health received $391,275. The programs are intended to help patients obtain several kinds of treatment in one location, with screenings, care coordination and connections to community resources.
Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha said the contracts address the difficulty patients face navigating separate systems for physical health, mental health and substance use treatment. The announcement does not specify which locations will receive the funded services, when the expansion will begin or how many additional patients it will serve.
The awards follow a change in the rules governing outpatient treatment. In January, the Department of Health announced adoption of an integrated licensing framework developed with Human Services.
Previously, facilities offering primary care, mental health care and addiction treatment at one location needed three separate licenses. The state said the regulatory structure also required separate medical records and, historically, different entrances for patients receiving different categories of care.
The revised framework permits unified records and shared treatment space. It applies to several types of outpatient providers, including federally qualified health centers, mental health and substance use treatment facilities, and licensed primary care clinics.
Zufall already lists adult medicine, behavioral health and substance use treatment among the services at its Morristown center, 4 Atno Avenue. Its Dover medical center, 18 West Blackwell Street, also lists those existing services.
For patients concerned about cost, Zufall’s published fee policy provides discounts based on household income, family size and the services received. Its current schedule lists typical medical fees of $25 to $80, with possible separate charges for certain laboratory services, vaccines and supplies.
Patients seeking the discount must document income and household size. Zufall says it does not deny services because someone cannot pay, and advises insured patients to confirm participation and active coverage when scheduling because provider participation can vary by location.
St. James Health operates community health centers in Newark’s East, West and South wards. Its existing services include primary and behavioral health care, along with assistance connecting patients to social services.
Residents seeking current Zufall services can call the Morristown center at 973-267-0002 or the Dover center at 973-328-3344. Patients should confirm the services available at their location and any applicable fees when making an appointment.