SF 2340

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 04/25/2017 08:30am

A bill for an act
relating to insurance; establishing a task force on the cost of high deductible health
plans; prescribing duties; requiring a report; providing appointments; appropriating
money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. TASK FORCE ON HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The task force on high deductible health plans is
established to study issues related to the direct and indirect costs, including hidden costs,
of high deductible health plans.

Subd. 2.

Membership; meetings; staff.

(a) The task force is composed of the following
ten members, who must be appointed by July 1, 2017, and who serve at the pleasure of their
appointing authorities:

(1) the commissioner of commerce or a designee;

(2) the commissioner of health or a designee;

(3) the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget or a designee;

(4) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the
house and one appointed by the minority leader;

(5) two members of the senate, one appointed by the majority leader and one appointed
by the minority leader;

(6) one person appointed by the Minnesota Council of Health Plans;

(7) three members appointed by the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association
to represent health care providers; and

(8) one health plan enrollee advocate, appointed by the commissioner of commerce.

(b) Compensation and expense reimbursement must be as provided under Minnesota
Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3, to members of the task force.

(c) The commissioner of commerce shall convene the task force by August 1, 2017, and
shall appoint a chair from the membership of the task force. Staffing and technical assistance
must be provided by the Department of Commerce.

Subd. 3.

Duties.

The task force shall review and discuss the following issues related to
the cost of high deductible health plans:

(1) initiatives states have taken to address the cost of high deductible health plans to
enrollees, health plans, and health care providers;

(2) initiatives insurers have taken to address the cost of high deductible health plans;

(3) the costs to health care providers incurred in collecting or attempting to collect
deductibles and co-pays on high deductible health plans;

(4) the annual amount of uncollected debt owed health care providers that is attributable
to high deductible health plans; and

(5) possible compensation mechanisms to reimburse health care providers for
uncompensated care in the form of uncollectible deductibles and co-pays on high deductible
plans.

Subd. 4.

Report.

By February 1, 2018, the task force must submit to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and
divisions with primary jurisdiction over commerce and transportation its written
recommendations, including any draft legislation necessary to implement the
recommendations.

Subd. 5.

Expiration.

The task force expires the day after submitting the report under
subdivision 4, or February 2, 2018, whichever is earlier.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

$....... is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Commerce for the
purposes of the task force established in section 1.