HF 2157

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; prohibiting the use of a broker for special
transportation and access transportation services; amending Laws 2003, First
Special Session chapter 14, article 12, section 93, as amended.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 14, article 12, section 93, as
amended by Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 8, section 80, is amended
to read:

Sec. 93. REVIEW OF SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA AND POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS.

The commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioner of
transportation and special transportation service providers, shall review eligibility criteria
for medical assistance special transportation services and shall evaluate whether the level
of special transportation services provided should be based on the degree of impairment of
the client, as well as the medical diagnosis. The commissioner shall also evaluate methods
for reducing the cost of special transportation services, including, but not limited to:

(1) requiring providers to maintain a daily log book confirming delivery of clients to
medical facilities;

(2) requiring providers to implement commercially available computer mapping
programs to calculate mileage for purposes of reimbursement;

(3) restricting special transportation service from being provided solely for trips
to pharmacies;

(4) modifying eligibility for special transportation;

(5) expanding alternatives to the use of special transportation services;

(6) improving the process of certifying persons as eligible for special transportation
services; and

(7) examining the feasibility and benefits of licensing special transportation
providers.

The commissioner shall present recommendations for changes in the eligibility
criteria and potential cost-savings for special transportation services to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the house and senate committees having jurisdiction over
health and human services spending by January 15, 2004. new text begin Beginning July 1, 2008,
new text end the commissioner is prohibited from using a broker or coordinator to manage special
transportation services deleted text begin until July 1, 2006, except for the purposes of checking for recipient
eligibility, authorizing recipients for appropriate level of transportation, and monitoring
provider compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0625, subdivision 17 deleted text end . deleted text begin The
commissioner shall not amend the initial contract to broker or manage nonemergency
medical transportation to extend beyond two consecutive years. The commissioner shall
not enter into a broker or management contract for transportation services which denies a
medical assistance recipient the free choice of health service provider, including a special
transportation provider, as specified in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section
431.51. deleted text end This prohibition deleted text begin does not apply deleted text end new text begin also applies new text end to the purchase or management of
deleted text begin common carrier transportation deleted text end new text begin access transportation services new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2008.
new text end