HF 2574

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/06/2023 11:40am

A bill for an act
relating to health care; modifying certification requirements for community
paramedics; modifying medical assistance coverage of community paramedic
services; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 144E.28, subdivision 9;
256B.0625, subdivision 60.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 144E.28, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Community paramedics.

(a) To be eligible for certification by the board as a
community paramedic, an individual shall:

(1) new text begin satisfy the requirements in item (i) or (ii):
new text end

new text begin (i)(A) new text end be currently certified new text begin by the board new text end as a paramedic deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (B) new text end have two years of full-time service as a paramedic or its part-time equivalent; new text begin and
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (C) new text end successfully complete a community paramedic education program from a college
or university that has been approved by the board or accredited by a board-approved national
accreditation organization. The education program must include clinical experience that is
provided under the supervision of deleted text begin an ambulance medical director deleted text end new text begin a physician new text end , advanced
practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or public health nurse operating under the
direct authority of a local unit of government; deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin or
new text end

new text begin (ii)(A) be currently certified by the board as a paramedic; and
new text end

new text begin (B) be certified as a community paramedic by the International Board of Specialty
Certification; and
new text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end complete a board-approved application form.

(b) A community paramedic must practice in accordance with protocols and supervisory
standards established by deleted text begin an ambulance service deleted text end new text begin the physician new text end medical director deleted text begin in accordance
with section 144E.265 deleted text end new text begin of the program through which the community paramedic is providing
services new text end . A community paramedic may provide services as directed by a patient care plan
if the plan has been developed by the patient's primary physician or by an advanced practice
registered nurse or a physician assistant, in conjunction with the deleted text begin ambulance service deleted text end new text begin program's
physician new text end medical director and relevant local health care providers. The care plan must
ensure that the services provided by the community paramedic are consistent with the
services offered by the patient's health care home, if one exists, that the patient receives the
necessary services, and that there is no duplication of services to the patient.

(c) A community paramedic is subject to all certification, disciplinary, complaint, renewal,
and other regulatory requirements that apply to paramedics under this chapter. In addition
to the renewal requirements in subdivision 7, a community paramedic must complete an
additional 12 hours of continuing education in clinical topics approved by the deleted text begin ambulance
service deleted text end new text begin program's physician new text end medical director.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.0625, subdivision 60, is amended to read:

Subd. 60.

Community paramedic services.

(a) Medical assistance covers services
provided by community paramedics who are certified under section 144E.28, subdivision
9, when the services are provided in accordance with this subdivision to an eligible recipient
as defined in paragraph (b).

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, an eligible recipient is defined as deleted text begin an individual who
has received hospital emergency department services three or more times in a period of four
consecutive months in the past 12 months or deleted text end an individual who has been identified by the
individual's primary health care provider for whom community paramedic services identified
in paragraph (c) would likely prevent admission to or would allow discharge from a nursing
facility; or would likely prevent readmission to a hospital or nursing facility.

(c) Payment for services provided by a community paramedic under this subdivision
must be a part of a care plan ordered by a primary health care provider in consultation with
the new text begin physician new text end medical director of deleted text begin an ambulance service deleted text end new text begin the program through which the
community paramedic is providing services new text end and must be billed by an eligible provider
enrolled in medical assistance that employs or contracts with the community paramedic.
The care plan must ensure that the services provided by a community paramedic are
coordinated with other community health providers and local public health agencies deleted text begin and
that community paramedic services do not duplicate services already provided to the patient,
including home health and waiver services deleted text end . Community paramedic services shall include
health assessment, chronic disease monitoring and education, medication compliance,
immunizations and vaccinations, laboratory specimen collection, hospital discharge follow-up
care, and minor medical procedures approved by the deleted text begin ambulance deleted text end new text begin program's physician new text end medical
director.

(d) Services provided by a community paramedic to an eligible recipient who is also
receiving care coordination services must be in consultation with the providers of the
recipient's care coordination services.

new text begin (e) A community paramedic must be paid at $150 per hour, billed at $37.50 per 15-minute
increment and $1.25 per mile for mileage to the patient's home only. In order to be paid
under this subdivision, a community paramedic must hold a Unique Minnesota Provider
Identifier (UMPI) number issued by the commissioner.
new text end

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end The commissioner shall seek the necessary federal approval to implement this
subdivision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, or upon federal approval,
whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes
when federal approval is obtained.
new text end