HF 757

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring coverage for or
provision of language interpreter services for
enrollees; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 62Q.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [62Q.40] LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SERVICES.
new text end

new text begin A health plan must cover language interpreter services
provided to a non-English-speaking enrollee in order to
facilitate the provision of health care services by a provider
or health care facility. For purposes of this section,
"provider" has the same meaning as provided under section
62J.03, subdivision 8; and "health plan" includes coverages
excluded under section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clauses (7), (9),
and (10). Language interpreter services may be provided in
person or by telephone. A health plan may provide language
interpreter services directly to a non-English-speaking
enrollee. Where a provider or health care facility is required
to provide or arrange for language interpreter services for an
enrollee, a health plan shall reimburse the party providing
interpretive services directly for the costs of language
interpreter services provided to the enrollee. Persons
providing language interpreter services that are reimbursed by a
health plan must bill the health plan for such services and may
not bill the provider or health care facility providing or
arranging for such services. Providers and health care
facilities that employ or contract with language interpreters
may bill and shall be reimbursed directly by health plan
companies for such services. A health plan company shall
provide to enrollees, upon request, the policies and procedures
for addressing the needs of non-English-speaking enrollees.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment
and applies to plans issued or renewed to provide coverage to
Minnesota residents on or after that date.
new text end