1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; prohibiting providers from refusing to contract with 
1.3 	government health plans and county-based purchasing organizations under 
1.4 	certain circumstances; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 62Q.10.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 62Q.10, is amended to read:
1.7 	62Q.10 NONDISCRIMINATION.
1.8 		Subdivision 1. Provider network status. If a health plan company, with the 
1.9 	exception of a community integrated service network or an indemnity insurer licensed 
1.10 	under chapter 60A who does not offer a product through a preferred provider network, 
1.11 	offers coverage of a health care service as part of its plan, it may not deny provider network 
1.12 	status to a qualified health care provider type who meets the credentialing requirements of 
1.13 	the health plan company solely because the provider is an allied independent health care 
1.14 	provider as defined in section 62Q.095. 
1.15 		Subd. 2.Contracting requirement. A provider that accepts Medicare or medical 
1.16 	assistance or other Minnesota health care program patients shall not refuse to contract with 
1.17 	a government-operated health plan company or county-based purchasing organization 
1.18 	that offers coverage under contracts with the state or federal government and that offers 
1.19 	reimbursement rates greater than or equal to rates paid by the state or federal government 
1.20 	for covered services.