1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; requiring the use of a broker to coordinate and 
1.3 	manage oral language health care interpreter services; setting payment rates for 
1.4 	interpreter services; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0625, 
1.5 	subdivision 18a.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0625, subdivision 18a, is amended to 
1.8 	read:
1.9 		Subd. 18a.Access to medical services. (a) Medical assistance reimbursement for 
1.10 	meals for persons traveling to receive medical care may not exceed $5.50 for breakfast, 
1.11 	$6.50 for lunch, or $8 for dinner.
1.12 	(b) Medical assistance reimbursement for lodging for persons traveling to receive 
1.13 	medical care may not exceed $50 per day unless prior authorized by the local agency.
1.14 	(c) Medical assistance direct mileage reimbursement to the eligible person or the 
1.15 	eligible person's driver may not exceed 20 cents per mile.
1.16 	(d) Regardless of the number of employees that an enrolled health care provider 
1.17 	may have, medical assistance covers sign and oral language interpreter services when 
1.18 	provided by an enrolled health care provider during the course of providing a direct, 
1.19 	person-to-person covered health care service to an enrolled recipient with limited English 
1.20 	proficiency or who has a hearing loss and uses interpreting services.
1.21 	(e) The commissioner shall contract with a broker to coordinate and manage oral 
1.22 	language health care interpreter services in the seven-county metropolitan area, as provided 
1.23 	through interpreters who are listed on the roster established by the commissioner of health 
1.24 	under section 144.058. Medical assistance reimbursement to individuals providing oral 
1.25 	language health care interpreter services through the broker must not exceed $20 per hour.

2.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2010.