1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; providing limited medical assistance coverage 
1.3 	for individuals eligible for Medicare Part D; directing commissioner to seek 
1.4 	reimbursement from federal government; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, 
1.5 	section 256B.0625, by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a 
1.8 	subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 13i.Medicare Part D. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 13, paragraph (d), 
1.10 	for recipients who are enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare 
1.11 	Advantage special needs plan, medical assistance covers the following: 
1.12 	(1) co-payments which the recipient is responsible for under a Medicare Part D 
1.13 	prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage special needs plan, once the recipient 
1.14 	has incurred $12 per month in prescription drug co-payments, in accordance with the 
1.15 	requirements of the plan; and 
1.16 	(2) any prescription drug that is not included in the drug formulary used by the 
1.17 	Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage special needs plan in 
1.18 	which the recipient is enrolled. Coverage under this clause shall only occur upon a 
1.19 	determination by the Board of Aging that the recipient is enrolled in the plan that provides 
1.20 	the most comprehensive prescription drug coverage in terms of the recipient's prescription 
1.21 	drug needs and meets the low-income premium benchmark set for Minnesota. Once a 
1.22 	determination has been made by the Board of Aging, the commissioner shall not require 
1.23 	the recipient to pursue the plan's exception and appeal process before providing coverage 
1.24 	under this clause.
2.1 	(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 13, paragraph (d), for recipients who are eligible for 
2.2 	Medicare Part D but who are awaiting enrollment into a Medicare Part D prescription drug 
2.3 	plan or Medicare Advantage special needs plan, medical assistance covers prescription 
2.4 	drugs as required under subdivision 13, paragraph (a), for a period of 60 days beginning 
2.5 	the date the Medicare Part D application was submitted. 
2.6 	(c) Medical assistance coverage under paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be provided in 
2.7 	accordance with the requirements of subdivisions 13 to 13h. 

2.8 	Sec. 2. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHANGES.
 2.9 	The commissioner of human services shall seek reimbursement from the federal 
2.10 	government for funds expended by the state to provide drug coverage to medical 
2.11 	assistance recipients who are enrolled or in the process of enrolling in Medicare Part D. 
2.12 	The commissioner shall also continue to pursue federal changes to Medicare Part D to 
2.13 	address lapses in drug coverage for medical assistance recipients who are also enrolled 
2.14 	or eligible for Medicare Part D.