as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/09/2015 11:13am
A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying provisions governing psychiatric contract
beds; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 256.9693.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 256.9693, is amended to read:
The commissioner shall establish a continuing care benefit program for persons
with mental illness in which persons with mental illness may obtain acute care hospital
inpatient treatment for mental illness for up to 45 days beyond that allowed by section
256.969. The commissioner may authorize additional days beyond 45 based on an
individual review of medical necessity. new text begin The commissioner shall also authorize additional
days beyond 45 days based on the absence of appropriate level-of-care services operated
by the commissioner or services operated by or under contract with the commissioner or a
county agency. new text end Persons with mental illness who are eligible for medical assistance may
obtain inpatient treatment under this program in hospital beds for which the commissioner
contracts under this section. The commissioner may selectively contract with hospitals
to provide this benefit through competitive bidding when reasonable geographic access
by recipients can be assured. Payments under this section shall not affect payments
under section 256.969. The commissioner may contract externally with a utilization
review organization to authorize persons with mental illness to access the continuing care
benefit program. The commissioner, as part of the contracts with hospitals, shall establish
admission criteria to allow persons with mental illness to access the continuing care benefit
program. If a court orders acute care hospital inpatient treatment for mental illness for a
person, the person may obtain the treatment under the continuing care benefit program.
The commissioner shall not require, as part of the admission criteria, any commitment or
petition under chapter 253B as a condition of accessing the program. deleted text begin This benefit is not
available for people who are also eligible for Medicare and who have not exhausted their
annual or lifetime inpatient psychiatric benefit under Medicare.deleted text end If a recipient is enrolled in
a prepaid plan, this program is included in the plan's coverage.