Most families don’t hear about the Global Options Waiver until they’re facing a nursing home admission. That’s too late to get the most out of it.
The Global Options (GO) Waiver is New Jersey’s Medicaid-funded program for seniors and adults with disabilities who qualify for nursing facility placement but want to remain living at home or in the community. For families in Newark, Jersey City, Hackensack, Paterson, and across northern NJ, it’s often the key to keeping a loved one out of a nursing home — permanently.
This guide explains what the Global Options Waiver covers, who qualifies, and how families in Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, and Union counties can access it.
What Is the Global Options Waiver?
The Global Options Waiver is a New Jersey Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program. Like similar programs in other states, it was created to give Medicaid-eligible individuals who would otherwise qualify for nursing home care the option to receive that same level of support in their home or a community setting instead.
“Global Options” refers to the broad range of services it funds — more than standard Medicaid home care (HHA/PCA), and specifically designed for higher-acuity individuals.
The program is administered by the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) and coordinated through Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in northern NJ.
Who Qualifies for Global Options in New Jersey?
To be eligible for the Global Options Waiver, an individual must meet all of the following:
1. Active NJ Medicaid (NJFamilyCare) Medicaid enrollment is required. If not yet enrolled, Priority Groups NJ can assist with the NJFamilyCare application as part of the intake process.
2. Nursing-Facility Level of Care A qualified assessor must determine that the individual’s needs meet the criteria that would qualify them for nursing home admission. This is a clinical determination based on functional limitations, care needs, and medical complexity.
3. Safe Community Living The individual must be able to live safely at home or in the community with the services the waiver provides. A care plan is developed to ensure this is feasible.
4. NJ Residency Must be a current New Jersey resident.
5. Financial Eligibility Global Options uses a separate Medicaid financial eligibility threshold from standard NJFamilyCare. Seniors with slightly higher income or assets who do not qualify for regular Medicaid may qualify under the long-term care Medicaid rules. Contact Priority Groups NJ for a free eligibility screening.
What Does Global Options Cover?
The Global Options Waiver covers a significantly broader set of services than standard Medicaid home care:
Home Health Aide and Personal Care The same hands-on daily care as standard Medicaid — bathing, dressing, meal preparation, mobility assistance — but with higher authorized hours for high-need individuals.
Adult Day Health Care Structured daytime programming at an adult day center, providing supervision, social engagement, health monitoring, and therapeutic activities. Particularly valuable for seniors with dementia or those who need daytime oversight while family caregivers work.
Assisted Living Services For individuals who choose to live in an assisted living facility rather than at home, Global Options can fund the care services (not room and board) in an assisted living setting.
Care Management A dedicated care manager coordinates all services, monitors the individual’s health and safety, and connects to community resources. This is different from a standard nurse supervisor — it is ongoing, proactive coordination.
Caregiver Training Family members who serve as informal caregivers can receive formal training through the waiver to improve their ability to support their loved one safely at home.
Home Modifications and Assistive Technology Physical modifications to the home (grab bars, ramp installation, accessible shower) and assistive devices that reduce injury risk and support independence.
Respite Care Temporary relief for family caregivers — in-home or out-of-home — allowing primary caregivers to rest, travel, or attend to their own needs.
Meal Delivery and Nutrition Services For individuals who cannot prepare or obtain adequate nutrition independently.
Transportation Medical transportation to healthcare appointments, adult day programs, and community activities.
Global Options vs. Standard HHA/PCA: When Is GO the Right Choice?
Standard Medicaid home care (HHA or PCA authorized through an MCO) is appropriate for many individuals. Global Options is designed for a more complex profile:
| Situation | Program | |—|—| | Needs a few hours/day of help with bathing, dressing, meals | Standard HHA/PCA | | Needs daily care + coordination of multiple services | Global Options | | Has dementia or cognitive impairment requiring daytime supervision | Global Options + Adult Day | | At risk of nursing home placement | Global Options | | Lives alone and needs regular safety monitoring | Global Options | | Family caregiver needs consistent respite | Global Options |
If an MCO assessment has resulted in fewer authorized hours than the individual actually needs, or if standard home care has not been sufficient to keep the person safely at home, Global Options is often the appropriate next step.
How to Access Global Options in Northern New Jersey
Step 1: Medicaid eligibility Active NJ Medicaid is required. Priority Groups NJ conducts free eligibility screenings and assists with NJFamilyCare applications.
Step 2: Physician documentation A physician must document that the individual’s care needs meet nursing-facility level of care. Families should be specific with the physician about all daily care needs, behavioral symptoms, and safety concerns.
Step 3: Managed Care Organization referral Most NJ Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in an MCO. The MCO conducts a level of care assessment and, if the individual qualifies, authorizes Global Options services.
Step 4: Care management assignment Once enrolled, a care manager is assigned. The care manager develops the service plan and coordinates all providers.
Step 5: Services begin Home care, adult day, transportation, and other approved services are arranged through qualified providers. Priority Groups NJ is a qualified Global Options provider serving Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, and Union counties.
Getting Started for Families in Newark, Jersey City, and Beyond
Priority Groups NJ helps families throughout northern NJ navigate the Global Options Waiver enrollment process — from eligibility screening through service start. Our multilingual care coordinators serve families in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Hindi.
Call us at (201) 305-0936 for a free consultation. We serve Newark, East Orange, Irvington, Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City, Hackensack, Teaneck, Englewood, Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Elizabeth, Plainfield, and surrounding communities.
If your loved one has been told they need a nursing home — or if current home care hours are not enough to keep them safely at home — the Global Options Waiver may be exactly what your family needs.