4th Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 05/23/2012 11:47am
A bill for an act
relating to state government; making adjustments to health and human services
appropriations; making changes to provisions related to health care, the
Department of Health, children and family services, continuing care, background
studies, chemical dependency, and child support; requiring reporting of potential
welfare fraud; providing for data sharing; requiring eligibility determinations;
providing rulemaking authority; providing penalties; encouraging the University
of Minnesota to request funding for rural primary care training; requiring studies
and reports; providing appointments; appropriating money; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2010, sections 62A.047; 62J.496, subdivision 2; 62Q.80; 72A.201,
subdivision 8; 144.292, subdivision 6; 144.298, subdivision 2; 144.5509;
144A.073, by adding a subdivision; 144A.351; 144D.04, subdivision 2; 145.906;
245.697, subdivision 1; 245A.03, by adding a subdivision; 245A.11, subdivisions
2a, 7, 7a; 245B.07, subdivision 1; 245C.04, subdivision 6; 245C.05, subdivision
7; 252.27, subdivision 2a; 254A.19, by adding a subdivision; 256.01, by adding
subdivisions; 256.975, subdivision 7; 256.9831, subdivision 2; 256B.056,
subdivision 1a; 256B.0625, subdivision 28a, by adding subdivisions; 256B.0659,
by adding a subdivision; 256B.0751, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0911, by
adding subdivisions; 256B.092, subdivisions 1b, 7; 256B.0943, subdivision 9;
256B.431, subdivision 17e, by adding a subdivision; 256B.434, subdivision
10; 256B.441, by adding a subdivision; 256B.48, by adding a subdivision;
256B.69, subdivision 9, by adding subdivisions; 256D.06, subdivision 1b;
256D.44, subdivision 5; 256E.37, subdivision 1; 256I.05, subdivision 1e;
256J.26, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 256J.575, subdivisions 1, 2, 5,
6, 8; 256L.07, subdivision 3; 518A.40, subdivision 4; 626.556, by adding a
subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, sections 62E.14, subdivision
4g; 119B.13, subdivision 7; 144.1222, subdivision 5; 245A.03, subdivision 7;
256.987, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding subdivisions; 256B.056, subdivision 3;
256B.057, subdivision 9; 256B.0625, subdivision 38; 256B.0631, subdivision
1; 256B.0659, subdivision 11; 256B.0911, subdivisions 3a, 3c; 256B.0915,
subdivisions 3e, 3h; 256B.097, subdivision 3; 256B.49, subdivisions 14, 15, 23;
256B.5012, subdivision 13; 256B.69, subdivision 5a; 256B.76, subdivision 4;
256E.35, subdivisions 5, 6; 256I.05, subdivision 1a; 256L.03, subdivision 5;
256L.031, subdivisions 2, 3, 6; 256L.12, subdivision 9; Laws 2010, chapter 374,
section 1; Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9, article 7, sections 52; 54;
article 10, sections 3, subdivisions 1, 3, 4; 8, subdivision 8; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 144; 145; 256B; 626; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 62M.09, subdivision 9; 62Q.64; 144A.073,
subdivision 9; 256B.48, subdivision 6; Minnesota Rules, parts 4640.0800,
subpart 4; 4685.2000.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 62E.14, subdivision 4g, is
amended to read:
A person may enroll in the comprehensive plan with
a waiver of the preexisting condition limitation in subdivision 3 if the person is eligible for
the healthy Minnesota contribution program, and has been denied coverage as described
under section 256L.031, subdivision 6.new text begin The six-month durational residency requirement
specified in section 62E.02, subdivision 13, does not apply to individuals enrolled in the
healthy Minnesota contribution program.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 72A.201, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
The following acts by an insurer, adjuster, or
self-insured, or self-insurance administrator constitute unfair settlement practices:
(1) denying a claim or any element of a claim on the grounds of a specific policy
provision, condition, or exclusion, without informing the insured of the policy provision,
condition, or exclusion on which the denial is based;
(2) denying a claim without having made a reasonable investigation of the claim;
(3) denying a liability claim because the insured has requested that the claim be
denied;
(4) denying a liability claim because the insured has failed or refused to report the
claim, unless an independent evaluation of available information indicates there is no
liability;
(5) denying a claim without including the following information:
(i) the basis for the denial;
(ii) the name, address, and telephone number of the insurer's claim service office
or the claim representative of the insurer to whom the insured or claimant may take any
questions or complaints about the denial;
(iii) the claim number and the policy number of the insured; and
(iv) if the denied claim is a fire claim, the insured's right to file with the Department
of Commerce a complaint regarding the denial, and the address and telephone number
of the Department of Commerce;
(6) denying a claim because the insured or claimant failed to exhibit the damaged
property unless:
(i) the insurer, within a reasonable time period, made a written demand upon the
insured or claimant to exhibit the property; and
(ii) the demand was reasonable under the circumstances in which it was made;
(7) denying a claim by an insured or claimant based on the evaluation of a chemical
dependency claim reviewer selected by the insurer unless the reviewer meets the
qualifications specified under subdivision 8a. An insurer that selects chemical dependency
reviewers to conduct claim evaluations must annually file with the commissioner of
commerce a report containing the specific evaluation standards and criteria used in these
evaluations. The report must be filed at the same time its annual statement is submitted
under section 60A.13. deleted text begin The report must also include the number of evaluations performed
on behalf of the insurer during the reporting period, the types of evaluations performed,
the results, the number of appeals of denials based on these evaluations, the results of
these appeals, and the number of complaints filed in a court of competent jurisdiction.
deleted text end
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
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(a) The Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee shall advise the
commissioner on the administration of nonemergency medical transportation covered
under medical assistance. The advisory committee shall meet at least quarterly and may
meet more frequently as required by the commissioner. The advisory committee shall
annually elect a chair from among its members, who shall work with the commissioner or
the commissioner's designee to establish the agenda for each meeting. The commissioner,
or the commissioner's designee, shall attend all advisory committee meetings.
new text end
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(b) The Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee shall advise
and make recommendations to the commissioner on:
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(1) the development of, and periodic updates to, a policy manual for nonemergency
medical transportation services;
new text end
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(2) policies and a funding source for reimbursing no-load miles;
new text end
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(3) policies to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, and to improve the efficiency of the
nonemergency medical transportation system;
new text end
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(4) other issues identified in the 2011 evaluation report by the Office of the
Legislative Auditor on medical nonemergency transportation; and
new text end
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(5) other aspects of the nonemergency medical transportation system, as requested
by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee shall
coordinate its activities with the Minnesota Council on Transportation Access established
under section 174.285. The chair of the advisory committee, or the chair's designee, shall
attend all meetings of the Minnesota Council on Transportation Access.
new text end
new text begin
(d) The Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee shall expire
December 1, 2014.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) The Nonemergency Medical
Transportation Advisory Committee consists of:
new text end
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(1) two voting members who represent counties, at least one of whom must represent
a county or counties other than Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti,
Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright;
new text end
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(2) four voting members who represent medical assistance recipients, including
persons with physical and developmental disabilities, persons with mental illness, seniors,
children, and low-income individuals;
new text end
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(3) four voting members who represent providers that deliver nonemergency medical
transportation services to medical assistance enrollees;
new text end
new text begin
(4) two voting members of the house of representatives, one from the majority
party and one from the minority party, appointed by the speaker of the house, and two
voting members from the senate, one from the majority party and one from the minority
party, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and
Administration;
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(5) one voting member who represents demonstration providers as defined in section
256B.69, subdivision 2;
new text end
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(6) one voting member who represents an organization that contracts with state or
local governments to coordinate transportation services for medical assistance enrollees;
and
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(7) the commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee, who shall
serve as a voting member.
new text end
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(b) Members of the advisory committee shall not be employed by the Department of
Human Services. Members of the advisory committee shall receive no compensation.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) The
commissioner shall implement a single administrative structure and delivery system for
nonemergency medical transportation, beginning July 1, 2013. The single administrative
structure and delivery system must:
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(1) eliminate the distinction between access transportation services and special
transportation services;
new text end
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(2) enable all medical assistance recipients to follow the same process to obtain
nonemergency medical transportation, regardless of their level of need;
new text end
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(3) provide a single oversight framework for all providers of nonemergency medical
transportation; and
new text end
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(4) provide flexibility in service delivery, recognizing that clients fall along a
continuum of needs and resources.
new text end
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(b) The commissioner shall present to the legislature, by January 15, 2013, any draft
legislation necessary to implement the single administrative structure and delivery system
for nonemergency medical transportation.
new text end
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(c) In developing the single administrative structure and delivery system and
the draft legislation, the commissioner shall consult with the Nonemergency Medical
Transportation Advisory Committee.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) The commissioner, in consultation
with the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee, shall develop and
implement, by July 1, 2013, a comprehensive, statewide, standard assessment process
for medical assistance enrollees seeking nonemergency medical transportation services.
The assessment process must identify a client's level of needs, abilities, and resources,
and match the client with the mode of transportation in the client's service area that best
meets those needs.
new text end
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(b) The assessment process must:
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(1) address mental health diagnoses when determining the most appropriate mode of
transportation;
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(2) base decisions on clearly defined criteria that are available to clients, providers,
and counties;
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(3) be standardized across the state and be aligned with other similar existing
processes;
new text end
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(4) allow for extended periods of eligibility for certain types of nonemergency
transportation, when a client's condition is unlikely to change; and
new text end
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(5) increase the use of public transportation when appropriate and cost-effective,
including offering monthly bus passes to clients.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
The commissioner, in consultation
with the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee, shall establish
performance measures to assess the cost-effectiveness and quality of nonemergency
medical transportation. At a minimum, performance measures should include the number
of unique participants served by type of transportation provider, number of trips provided
by type of transportation provider, and cost per trip by type of transportation provider. The
commissioner must also consider the measures identified in the January 2012 Department
of Human Services report to the legislature on nonemergency medical transportation.
Beginning in calendar year 2013, the commissioner shall collect, audit, and analyze
performance data on nonemergency medical transportation annually and report this
information on the agency's Web site. The commissioner shall periodically supplement
this information with the results of consumer surveys of the quality of services, and shall
make these survey findings available to the public on the agency Web site.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, subdivision 28a, is amended to
read:
new text begin (a) new text end Medical assistance covers
services performed by a licensed physician assistant if the service is otherwise covered
under this chapter as a physician service and if the service is within the scope of practice
of a licensed physician assistant as defined in section 147A.09.
new text begin
(b) Licensed physician assistants, who are supervised by a physician certified by
the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or eligible for board certification in
psychiatry, may bill for medication management and evaluation and management services
provided to medical assistance enrollees in inpatient hospital settings, consistent with
their authorized scope of practice, as defined in section 147A.09, with the exception of
performing psychotherapy, diagnostic assessments, or providing clinical supervision.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.0625, subdivision 38,
is amended to read:
Payments for mental
health services covered under the medical assistance program that are provided by
masters-prepared mental health professionals shall be 80 percent of the rate paid to
doctoral-prepared professionals. Payments for mental health services covered under
the medical assistance program that are provided by masters-prepared mental health
professionals employed by community mental health centers shall be 100 percent of the
rate paid to doctoral-prepared professionals.new text begin Payments for mental health services covered
under the medical assistance program that are provided by physician assistants shall be
80.4 percent of the base rate paid to psychiatrists.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.0631, subdivision 1,
is amended to read:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision 2, the medical
assistance benefit plan shall include the following cost-sharing for all recipients, effective
for services provided on or after September 1, 2011:
(1) $3 per nonpreventive visit, except as provided in paragraph (b). For purposes
of this subdivision, a visit means an episode of service which is required because of
a recipient's symptoms, diagnosis, or established illness, and which is delivered in an
ambulatory setting by a physician or physician ancillary, chiropractor, podiatrist, nurse
midwife, advanced practice nurse, audiologist, optician, or optometrist;
(2) $3 for eyeglasses;
(3) $3.50 for nonemergency visits to a hospital-based emergency room, except that
this co-payment shall be increased to $20 upon federal approval;
(4) $3 per brand-name drug prescription and $1 per generic drug prescription,
subject to a $12 per month maximum for prescription drug co-payments. No co-payments
shall apply to antipsychotic drugs when used for the treatment of mental illness;
(5) effective January 1, 2012, a family deductible equal to the maximum amount
allowed under Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 447.54; and
(6) for individuals identified by the commissioner with income at or below 100
percent of the federal poverty guidelines, total monthly cost-sharing must not exceed five
percent of family income. For purposes of this paragraph, family income is the total
earned and unearned income of the individual and the individual's spouse, if the spouse is
enrolled in medical assistance and also subject to the five percent limit on cost-sharing.
(b) Recipients of medical assistance are responsible for all co-payments and
deductibles in this subdivision.
new text begin
(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), the commissioner, through the contracting
process under sections 256B.69 and 256B.692, may allow managed care plans and
county-based purchasing plans to waive the family deductible under paragraph (a),
clause (5). The value of the family deductible shall not be included in the capitation
payment to managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans. Managed care plans
and county-based purchasing plans shall certify annually to the commissioner the dollar
value of the family deductible.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), the commissioner may waive the collection of
the family deductible described under paragraph (a), clause (5), from individuals and
allow long-term care and waivered service providers to assume responsibility for payment.
new text end
new text begin
Paragraph (c) is effective January 1, 2012. Paragraph (d)
is effective July 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0751, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
The commissioner shall implement a
pediatric care coordination service for children with high-cost medical or high-cost
psychiatric conditions who are at risk of recurrent hospitalization or emergency room use
for acute, chronic, or psychiatric illness, who receive medical assistance services. Care
coordination services must be targeted to children not already receiving care coordination
through another service and may include but are not limited to the provision of health
care home services to children admitted to hospitals that do not currently provide care
coordination. Care coordination services must be provided by care coordinators who
are directly linked to provider teams in the care delivery setting, but who may be part
of a community care team shared by multiple primary care providers or practices. For
purposes of this subdivision, the commissioner shall, to the extent possible, use the
existing health care home certification and payment structure established under this
section and section 256B.0753.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.69, subdivision 5a,
is amended to read:
(a) Managed care contracts under this section
and section 256L.12 shall be entered into or renewed on a calendar year basis beginning
January 1, 1996. Managed care contracts which were in effect on June 30, 1995, and set to
renew on July 1, 1995, shall be renewed for the period July 1, 1995 through December
31, 1995 at the same terms that were in effect on June 30, 1995. The commissioner may
issue separate contracts with requirements specific to services to medical assistance
recipients age 65 and older.
(b) A prepaid health plan providing covered health services for eligible persons
pursuant to chapters 256B and 256L is responsible for complying with the terms of its
contract with the commissioner. Requirements applicable to managed care programs
under chapters 256B and 256L established after the effective date of a contract with the
commissioner take effect when the contract is next issued or renewed.
(c) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2003, the commissioner
shall withhold five percent of managed care plan payments under this section and
county-based purchasing plan payments under section 256B.692 for the prepaid medical
assistance program pending completion of performance targets. Each performance target
must be quantifiable, objective, measurable, and reasonably attainable, except in the case
of a performance target based on a federal or state law or rule. Criteria for assessment
of each performance target must be outlined in writing prior to the contract effective
date. new text begin Clinical or utilization performance targets and their related criteria must consider
evidence-based research and reasonable interventions when available or applicable to the
populations served, and must be developed with input from external clinical experts
and stakeholders, including managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, and
providers. new text end The managed care new text begin or county-based purchasingnew text end plan must demonstrate,
to the commissioner's satisfaction, that the data submitted regarding attainment of
the performance target is accurate. The commissioner shall periodically change the
administrative measures used as performance targets in order to improve plan performance
across a broader range of administrative services. The performance targets must include
measurement of plan efforts to contain spending on health care services and administrative
activities. The commissioner may adopt plan-specific performance targets that take into
account factors affecting only one plan, including characteristics of the plan's enrollee
population. The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July of the following
year if performance targets in the contract are achieved. The commissioner may exclude
special demonstration projects under subdivision 23.
(d) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2009, through December
31, 2009, the commissioner shall withhold three percent of managed care plan payments
under this section and county-based purchasing plan payments under section 256B.692
for the prepaid medical assistance program. The withheld funds must be returned no
sooner than July 1 and no later than July 31 of the following year. The commissioner may
exclude special demonstration projects under subdivision 23.
(e) Effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2010, the commissioner
shall require that managed care plans use the assessment and authorization processes,
forms, timelines, standards, documentation, and data reporting requirements, protocols,
billing processes, and policies consistent with medical assistance fee-for-service or the
Department of Human Services contract requirements consistent with medical assistance
fee-for-service or the Department of Human Services contract requirements for all
personal care assistance services under section 256B.0659.
(f) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2010, through December
31, 2010, the commissioner shall withhold 4.5 percent of managed care plan payments
under this section and county-based purchasing plan payments under section 256B.692
for the prepaid medical assistance program. The withheld funds must be returned no
sooner than July 1 and no later than July 31 of the following year. The commissioner may
exclude special demonstration projects under subdivision 23.
(g) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2011, through December
31, 2011, the commissioner shall include as part of the performance targets described
in paragraph (c) a reduction in the health plan's emergency room utilization rate for
state health care program enrollees by a measurable rate of five percent from the plan's
utilization rate for state health care program enrollees for the previous calendar year.
Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2012, the commissioner shall include
as part of the performance targets described in paragraph (c) a reduction in the health
plan's emergency department utilization rate for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare
enrollees, as determined by the commissioner. new text begin For 2012, the reduction shall be based on
the health plan's utilization in 2009. new text end To earn the return of the withhold each new text begin subsequent
new text end year, the managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan must achieve a qualifying
reduction of no less than ten percent of the plan's emergency department utilization
rate for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, excluding deleted text begin Medicaredeleted text end enrolleesnew text begin
in programs described in subdivisions 23 and 28new text end , compared to the previous deleted text begin calendardeleted text end new text begin
measurementnew text end year until the final performance target is reached.new text begin When measuring
performance, the commissioner must consider the difference in health risk in a managed
care or county-based purchasing plan's membership in the baseline year compared to the
measurement year, and work with the managed care or county-based purchasing plan to
account for differences that they agree are significant.
new text end
The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and no later than July 31
of the following calendar year if the managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that a reduction in the utilization rate
was achieved.new text begin The commissioner shall structure the withhold so that the commissioner
returns a portion of the withheld funds in amounts commensurate with achieved reductions
in utilization less than the target amount.
new text end
The withhold described in this paragraph shall continue for each consecutive
contract period until the plan's emergency room utilization rate for state health care
program enrollees is reduced by 25 percent of the plan's emergency room utilization
rate for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees for calendar year deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2009new text end .
Hospitals shall cooperate with the health plans in meeting this performance target and
shall accept payment withholds that may be returned to the hospitals if the performance
target is achieved.
(h) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2012, the commissioner
shall include as part of the performance targets described in paragraph (c) a reduction in the
plan's hospitalization admission rate for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees,
as determined by the commissioner. To earn the return of the withhold each year, the
managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan must achieve a qualifying reduction
of no less than five percent of the plan's hospital admission rate for medical assistance
and MinnesotaCare enrollees, excluding deleted text begin Medicaredeleted text end enrolleesnew text begin in programs described in
subdivisions 23 and 28new text end , compared to the previous calendar year until the final performance
target is reached.new text begin When measuring performance, the commissioner must consider the
difference in health risk in a managed care or county-based purchasing plan's membership
in the baseline year compared to the measurement year, and work with the managed care
or county-based purchasing plan to account for differences that they agree are significant.
new text end
The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and no later than July
31 of the following calendar year if the managed care plan or county-based purchasing
plan demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that this reduction in the
hospitalization rate was achieved.new text begin The commissioner shall structure the withhold so that
the commissioner returns a portion of the withheld funds in amounts commensurate with
achieved reductions in utilization less than the targeted amount.
new text end
The withhold described in this paragraph shall continue until there is a 25 percent
reduction in the hospital admission rate compared to the hospital admission rates in
calendar year 2011, as determined by the commissioner. The hospital admissions in this
performance target do not include the admissions applicable to the subsequent hospital
admission performance target under paragraph (i). Hospitals shall cooperate with the
plans in meeting this performance target and shall accept payment withholds that may be
returned to the hospitals if the performance target is achieved.
(i) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2012, the commissioner
shall include as part of the performance targets described in paragraph (c) a reduction in
the plan's hospitalization admission rates for subsequent hospitalizations within 30 days
of a previous hospitalization of a patient regardless of the reason, for medical assistance
and MinnesotaCare enrollees, as determined by the commissioner. To earn the return of
the withhold each year, the managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan must
achieve a qualifying reduction of the subsequent hospitalization rate for medical assistance
and MinnesotaCare enrollees, excluding deleted text begin Medicaredeleted text end enrolleesnew text begin in programs described in
subdivisions 23 and 28new text end , of no less than five percent compared to the previous calendar
year until the final performance target is reached.
The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and no later than July
31 of the following calendar year if the managed care plan or county-based purchasing
plan demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that a qualifying reduction in
the subsequent hospitalization rate was achieved.new text begin The commissioner shall structure the
withhold so that the commissioner returns a portion of the withheld funds in amounts
commensurate with achieved reductions in utilization less that the targeted amount.
new text end
The withhold described in this paragraph must continue for each consecutive
contract period until the plan's subsequent hospitalization rate for medical assistance
and MinnesotaCare enrollees, excluding deleted text begin Medicaredeleted text end enrolleesnew text begin in programs described in
subdivisions 23 and 28new text end , is reduced by 25 percent of the plan's subsequent hospitalization
rate for calendar year 2011. Hospitals shall cooperate with the plans in meeting this
performance target and shall accept payment withholds that must be returned to the
hospitals if the performance target is achieved.
(j) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2011, through December 31,
2011, the commissioner shall withhold 4.5 percent of managed care plan payments under
this section and county-based purchasing plan payments under section 256B.692 for the
prepaid medical assistance program. The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than
July 1 and no later than July 31 of the following year. The commissioner may exclude
special demonstration projects under subdivision 23.
(k) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2012, through December
31, 2012, the commissioner shall withhold 4.5 percent of managed care plan payments
under this section and county-based purchasing plan payments under section 256B.692
for the prepaid medical assistance program. The withheld funds must be returned no
sooner than July 1 and no later than July 31 of the following year. The commissioner may
exclude special demonstration projects under subdivision 23.
(l) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2013, through December 31,
2013, the commissioner shall withhold 4.5 percent of managed care plan payments under
this section and county-based purchasing plan payments under section 256B.692 for the
prepaid medical assistance program. The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than
July 1 and no later than July 31 of the following year. The commissioner may exclude
special demonstration projects under subdivision 23.
(m) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2014, the commissioner
shall withhold three percent of managed care plan payments under this section and
county-based purchasing plan payments under section 256B.692 for the prepaid medical
assistance program. The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and
no later than July 31 of the following year. The commissioner may exclude special
demonstration projects under subdivision 23.
(n) A managed care plan or a county-based purchasing plan under section 256B.692
may include as admitted assets under section 62D.044 any amount withheld under this
section that is reasonably expected to be returned.
(o) Contracts between the commissioner and a prepaid health plan are exempt from
the set-aside and preference provisions of section 16C.16, subdivisions 6, paragraph
(a), and 7.
(p) The return of the withhold under paragraphs (d), (f), and (j) to (m) is not subject
to the requirements of paragraph (c).
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.69, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
(a) Each demonstration provider shall submit information as
required by the commissioner, including data required for assessing client satisfaction,
quality of care, cost, and utilization of services for purposes of project evaluation. The
commissioner shall also develop methods of data reporting and collection in order to
provide aggregate enrollee information on encounters and outcomes to determine access
and quality assurance. Required information shall be specified before the commissioner
contracts with a demonstration provider.
(b) Aggregate nonpersonally identifiable health plan encounter data, aggregate
spending data for major categories of service as reported to the commissioners of
health and commerce under section 62D.08, subdivision 3, clause (a), and criteria for
service authorization and service use are public data that the commissioner shall make
available and use in public reports. The commissioner shall require each health plan and
county-based purchasing plan to provide:
(1) encounter data for each service provided, using standard codes and unit of
service definitions set by the commissioner, in a form that the commissioner can report by
age, eligibility groups, and health plan; and
(2) criteria, written policies, and procedures required to be disclosed under section
62M.10, subdivision 7, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 438.210(b)(1), used
for each type of service for which authorization is required.
new text begin
(c) Each demonstration provider shall report to the commissioner on the extent to
which providers employed by or under contract with the demonstration provider use
patient-centered decision-making tools or procedures designed to engage patients early
in the decision-making process and the steps taken by the demonstration provider to
encourage their use.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.69, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) The legislative auditor shall contract with an audit
firm to conduct a biennial independent third-party financial audit of the information
required to be provided by managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans under
subdivision 9c, paragraph (b). The audit shall be conducted in accordance with generally
accepted government auditing standards issued by the United States Government
Accountability Office. The contract with the audit firm shall be designed and administered
so as to render the independent third-party audit eligible for a federal subsidy, if available.
The contract shall require the audit to include a determination of compliance with
the federal Medicaid rate certification process. The contract shall require the audit to
determine if the administrative expenses and investment income reported by the managed
care plans and county-based purchasing plans are compliant with state and federal law.
new text end
new text begin
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "independent third-party" means an audit firm
that is independent in accordance with government auditing standards issued by the United
States Government Accountability Office and licensed in accordance with chapter 326A.
An audit firm under contract to provide services in accordance with this subdivision must
not have provided services to a managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan during
the period for which the audit is being conducted.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The commissioner shall require in the request for bids and resulting contracts
with managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans under this section and section
256B.692, that each managed care plan and county-based purchasing plan submit to
and fully cooperate with the independent third-party financial audit of the information
required under subdivision 9c, paragraph (b). Each contract with a managed care plan
or county-based purchasing plan under this section or section 256B.692, must provide
the commissioner and the audit firm contracting with the legislative auditor access to all
data required to complete the audit. For purposes of this subdivision, the contracting
audit firm shall have the same investigative power as the legislative auditor under section
3.978, subdivision 2.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Each managed care plan and county-based purchasing plan providing services
under this section shall provide to the commissioner biweekly encounter data and claims
data for state public health care programs and shall participate in a quality assurance
program that verifies the timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and consistency of the data
provided. The commissioner shall develop written protocols for the quality assurance
program and shall make the protocols publicly available. The commissioner shall contract
for an independent third-party audit to evaluate the quality assurance protocols as to
the capacity of the protocols to ensure complete and accurate data and to evaluate the
commissioner's implementation of the protocols. The audit firm under contract to provide
this evaluation must meet the requirements in paragraph (b).
new text end
new text begin
(e) Upon completion of the audit under paragraph (a) and receipt by the legislative
auditor, the legislative auditor shall provide copies of the audit report to the commissioner,
the state auditor, the attorney general, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the
health and human services finance committees of the legislature. Upon completion of the
evaluation under paragraph (d), the commissioner shall provide copies of the report to
the legislative auditor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the health finance
committees of the legislature.
new text end
new text begin
(f) Any actuary under contract with the commissioner to provide actuarial services
must meet the independence requirements under the professional code for fellows in the
Society of Actuaries and must not have provided actuarial services to a managed care plan
or county-based purchasing plan that is under contract with the commissioner pursuant to
this section and section 256B.692 during the period in which the actuarial services are
being provided. An actuary or actuarial firm meeting the requirements of this paragraph
must certify and attest to the rates paid to the managed care plans and county-based
purchasing plans under this section and section 256B.692, and the certification and
attestation must be auditable.
new text end
new text begin
(g) Nothing in this subdivision shall allow the release of information that is
nonpublic data pursuant to section 13.02.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment
and applies to the managed care and county-based purchasing plan contracts that are
effective January 1, 2014, and biennially thereafter.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.69, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
The commissioner
shall require managed care and county-based purchasing plans, as a condition of contract,
to implement strategies to reduce the incidence of low birth weight in geographic areas
identified by the commissioner as having a higher than average incidence of low birth
weight. The strategies must coordinate health care with social services and the local
public health system. Each plan shall develop and report to the commissioner outcome
measures related to reducing the incidence of low birth weight. The commissioner shall
consider the outcomes reported when considering plan participation in the competitive
bidding program established under subdivision 33.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.69, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) For managed care contracts effective on or
after January 1, 2014, the commissioner may utilize a competitive price bidding program
for nonelderly, nondisabled adults and children in medical assistance and MinnesotaCare
in the seven-county metropolitan area. The program must allow a minimum of two
managed care plans to serve the metropolitan area.
new text end
new text begin
(b) In designing the competitive bid program, the commissioner shall consider, and
incorporate where appropriate, the procedures and criteria used in the competitive bidding
pilot authorized under Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9, article 6, section 96.
The pilot program operating in Hennepin County under the authority of section 256B.0756
shall continue to be exempt from competitive bid.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The commissioner shall use past performance data as a factor in selecting vendors
and shall consider this information, along with competitive bid and other information, in
determining whether to contract with a managed care plan under this subdivision. Where
possible, the assessment of past performance in serving persons on public programs shall
be based on encounter data submitted to the commissioner. The commissioner shall
evaluate past performance based on both the health outcomes of care and success rates
in securing participation in recommended preventive and early diagnostic care. Data
provided by managed care plans must be provided in a uniform manner as specified by
the commissioner and must include only data on medical assistance and MinnesotaCare
enrollees. The data submitted must include health outcome measures on reducing the
incidence of low birth weight established by the managed care plan under subdivision 32.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.76, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
(a) Effective for dental services
rendered on or after January 1, 2002, the commissioner shall increase reimbursements
to dentists and dental clinics deemed by the commissioner to be critical access dental
providers. For dental services rendered on or after July 1, 2007, the commissioner shall
increase reimbursement by 30 percent above the reimbursement rate that would otherwise
be paid to the critical access dental provider. The commissioner shall pay the managed
care plans and county-based purchasing plans in amounts sufficient to reflect increased
reimbursements to critical access dental providers as approved by the commissioner.
(b) The commissioner shall designate the following dentists and dental clinics as
critical access dental providers:
(1) nonprofit community clinics that:
(i) have nonprofit status in accordance with chapter 317A;
(ii) have tax exempt status in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, section
501(c)(3);
(iii) are established to provide oral health services to patients who are low income,
uninsured, have special needs, and are underserved;
(iv) have professional staff familiar with the cultural background of the clinic's
patients;
(v) charge for services on a sliding fee scale designed to provide assistance to
low-income patients based on current poverty income guidelines and family size;
(vi) do not restrict access or services because of a patient's financial limitations
or public assistance status; and
(vii) have free care available as needed;
(2) federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and public health clinics;
(3) county owned and operated hospital-based dental clinics;
(4) a dental clinic or dental group owned and operated by a nonprofit corporation in
accordance with chapter 317A with more than 10,000 patient encounters per year with
patients who are uninsured or covered by medical assistance, general assistance medical
care, or MinnesotaCare; and
(5) a dental clinic owned and operated by the University of Minnesota or the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
(c) The commissioner may designate a dentist or dental clinic as a critical access
dental provider if the dentist or dental clinic is willing to provide care to patients covered
by medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or MinnesotaCare at a level which
significantly increases access to dental care in the service area.
(d) deleted text begin Notwithstanding paragraph (a), critical access payments must not be made for
dental services provided from April 1, 2010, through June 30, 2010.deleted text end new text begin A designated critical
access clinic shall receive the reimbursement rate specified in paragraph (a) for dental
services provided off-site at a private dental office if the following requirements are met:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the designated critical access dental clinic is located within a health professional
shortage area as defined under the Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 5, and
the United States Code, title 42, section 254E, and is located outside the seven-county
metropolitan area;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the designated critical access dental clinic is not able to provide the service
and refers the patient to the off-site dentist;
new text end
new text begin
(3) the service, if provided at the critical access dental clinic, would be reimbursed
at the critical access reimbursement rate;
new text end
new text begin
(4) the dentist and allied dental professionals providing the services off-site are
licensed and in good standing under chapter 150A;
new text end
new text begin
(5) the dentist providing the services is enrolled as a medical assistance provider;
new text end
new text begin
(6) the critical access dental clinic submits the claim for services provided off-site
and receives the payment for the services; and
new text end
new text begin
(7) the critical access dental clinic maintains dental records for each claim submitted
under this paragraph, including the name of the dentist, the off-site location, and the
license number of the dentist and allied dental professionals providing the services.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2012, or upon federal
approval, whichever is later.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256L.03, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), the
MinnesotaCare benefit plan shall include the following cost-sharing requirements for all
enrollees:
(1) ten percent of the paid charges for inpatient hospital services for adult enrollees,
subject to an annual inpatient out-of-pocket maximum of $1,000 per individual;
(2) $3 per prescription for adult enrollees;
(3) $25 for eyeglasses for adult enrollees;
(4) $3 per nonpreventive visit. For purposes of this subdivision, a "visit" means an
episode of service which is required because of a recipient's symptoms, diagnosis, or
established illness, and which is delivered in an ambulatory setting by a physician or
physician ancillary, chiropractor, podiatrist, nurse midwife, advanced practice nurse,
audiologist, optician, or optometrist;
(5) $6 for nonemergency visits to a hospital-based emergency room for services
provided through December 31, 2010, and $3.50 effective January 1, 2011; and
(6) a family deductible equal to the maximum amount allowed under Code of
Federal Regulations, title 42, part 447.54.
(b) Paragraph (a), clause (1), does not apply to parents and relative caretakers of
children under the age of 21.
(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to pregnant women and children under the age of 21.
(d) Paragraph (a), clause (4), does not apply to mental health services.
(e) Adult enrollees with family gross income that exceeds 200 percent of the federal
poverty guidelines or 215 percent of the federal poverty guidelines on or after July 1, 2009,
and who are not pregnant shall be financially responsible for the coinsurance amount, if
applicable, and amounts which exceed the $10,000 inpatient hospital benefit limit.
(f) When a MinnesotaCare enrollee becomes a member of a prepaid health plan,
or changes from one prepaid health plan to another during a calendar year, any charges
submitted towards the $10,000 annual inpatient benefit limit, and any out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the enrollee for inpatient services, that were submitted or incurred
prior to enrollment, or prior to the change in health plans, shall be disregarded.
(g) MinnesotaCare reimbursements to fee-for-service providers and payments to
managed care plans or county-based purchasing plans shall not be increased as a result of
the reduction of the co-payments in paragraph (a), clause (5), effective January 1, 2011.
new text begin
(h) The commissioner, through the contracting process under section 256L.12,
may allow managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans to waive the family
deductible under paragraph (a), clause (6). The value of the family deductible shall not be
included in the capitation payment to managed care plans and county-based purchasing
plans. Managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans shall certify annually to the
commissioner the dollar value of the family deductible.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective January 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256L.031, subdivision 2,
is amended to read:
(a) An enrollee
may use up to the monthly defined contribution to pay premiums for coverage under
a health plan as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 3new text begin , or as provided in section
256L.031, subdivision 6new text end .
(b) An enrollee must select a health plan within deleted text begin threedeleted text end new text begin fournew text end calendar months of
approval of MinnesotaCare eligibility. If a health plan is not selected and purchased
within this time period, the enrollee must reapply and must meet all eligibility criteria.new text begin
The commissioner may determine criteria under which an enrollee has more than four
calendar months to select a health plan.
new text end
(c) deleted text begin A health plandeleted text end new text begin Coveragenew text end purchased under this section must:
(1) deleted text begin provide coverage fordeleted text end new text begin includenew text end mental health and chemical dependency treatment
services; and
(2) comply with the coverage limitations specified in section 256L.03, subdivision
1, the second paragraph.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256L.031, subdivision 3,
is amended to read:
(a) The commissioner
shall determine the defined contribution sliding scale using the base contribution specified
in deleted text begin paragraph (b)deleted text end new text begin this paragraphnew text end for the specified age ranges. The commissioner shall use a
sliding scale for defined contributions that provides:
(1) persons with household incomes equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty
guidelines with a defined contribution of 93 percent of the base contribution;
(2) persons with household incomes equal to 250 percent of the federal poverty
guidelines with a defined contribution of 80 percent of the base contribution; and
(3) persons with household incomes in evenly spaced increments between the
percentages of the federal poverty guideline or income level specified in clauses (1) and
(2) with a base contribution that is a percentage interpolated from the defined contribution
percentages specified in clauses (1) and (2).
19-29 |
$125 |
|
30-34 |
$135 |
|
35-39 |
$140 |
|
40-44 |
$175 |
|
45-49 |
$215 |
|
50-54 |
$295 |
|
55-59 |
$345 |
|
60+ |
$360 |
(b) The commissioner shall multiply the defined contribution amounts developed
under paragraph (a) by 1.20 for enrollees deleted text begin who are denied coverage under an individual
health plan by a health plan company anddeleted text end who purchase coverage through the Minnesota
Comprehensive Health Association.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256L.031, subdivision 6,
is amended to read:
Beginning
July 1, 2012, MinnesotaCare enrollees deleted text begin who are denied coverage in the individual
health market by a health plan company in accordance with section 62A.65 aredeleted text end eligible
for coverage through a health plan offered by the Minnesota Comprehensive Health
Association deleted text begin anddeleted text end may enroll in MCHA in accordance with section 62E.14. Any difference
between the revenue and actual covered losses to MCHA related to the implementation of
this section are appropriated annually to the commissioner of human services from the
health care access fund and shall be paid to MCHA.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256L.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
(a) Families and individuals enrolled in the
MinnesotaCare program must have no health coverage while enrolled or for at least four
months prior to application and renewal. Children enrolled in the original children's health
plan and children in families with income equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal
poverty guidelines, who have other health insurance, are eligible if the coverage:
(1) lacks two or more of the following:
(i) basic hospital insurance;
(ii) medical-surgical insurance;
(iii) prescription drug coverage;
(iv) dental coverage; or
(v) vision coverage;
(2) requires a deductible of $100 or more per person per year; or
(3) lacks coverage because the child has exceeded the maximum coverage for a
particular diagnosis or the policy excludes a particular diagnosis.
The commissioner may change this eligibility criterion for sliding scale premiums
in order to remain within the limits of available appropriations. The requirement of no
health coverage does not apply to newborns.
(b) new text begin Coverage purchased as provided under section 256L.031, subdivision 2, new text end medical
assistance, deleted text begin general assistance medical care,deleted text end and the Civilian Health and Medical Program
of the Uniformed Service, CHAMPUS, or other coverage provided under United States
Code, title 10, subtitle A, part II, chapter 55, are not considered insurance or health
coverage for purposes of the four-month requirement described in this subdivision.
(c) For purposes of this subdivision, an applicant or enrollee who is entitled to
Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B coverage under title XVIII of the Social
Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 1395c to 1395w-152, is considered to
have health coverage. An applicant or enrollee who is entitled to premium-free Medicare
Part A may not refuse to apply for or enroll in Medicare coverage to establish eligibility
for MinnesotaCare.
(d) Applicants who were recipients of medical assistance deleted text begin or general assistance
medical caredeleted text end within one month of application must meet the provisions of this subdivision
and subdivision 2.
(e) Cost-effective health insurance that was paid for by medical assistance is not
considered health coverage for purposes of the four-month requirement under this
section, except if the insurance continued after medical assistance no longer considered it
cost-effective or after medical assistance closed.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256L.12, subdivision 9, is
amended to read:
(a) Rates will be prospective,
per capita, where possible. The commissioner may allow health plans to arrange for
inpatient hospital services on a risk or nonrisk basis. The commissioner shall consult with
an independent actuary to determine appropriate rates.
(b) For services rendered on or after January 1, 2004, the commissioner shall
withhold five percent of managed care plan payments and county-based purchasing
plan payments under this section pending completion of performance targets. Each
performance target must be quantifiable, objective, measurable, and reasonably attainable,
except in the case of a performance target based on a federal or state law or rule. Criteria
for assessment of each performance target must be outlined in writing prior to the contract
effective date. new text begin Clinical or utilization performance targets and their related criteria must
consider evidence-based research and reasonable interventions, when available or
applicable to the populations served, and must be developed with input from external
clinical experts and stakeholders, including managed care plans, county-based purchasing
plans, and providers. new text end The managed care plan must demonstrate, to the commissioner's
satisfaction, that the data submitted regarding attainment of the performance target is
accurate. The commissioner shall periodically change the administrative measures used
as performance targets in order to improve plan performance across a broader range of
administrative services. The performance targets must include measurement of plan
efforts to contain spending on health care services and administrative activities. The
commissioner may adopt plan-specific performance targets that take into account factors
affecting only one plan, such as characteristics of the plan's enrollee population. The
withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and no later than July 31 of the
following calendar year if performance targets in the contract are achieved.
(c) For services rendered on or after January 1, 2011, the commissioner shall
withhold an additional three percent of managed care plan or county-based purchasing
plan payments under this section. The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than
July 1 and no later than July 31 of the following calendar year. The return of the withhold
under this paragraph is not subject to the requirements of paragraph (b).
(d) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2011, through December
31, 2011, the commissioner shall include as part of the performance targets described in
paragraph (b) a reduction in the plan's emergency room utilization rate for state health care
program enrollees by a measurable rate of five percent from the plan's utilization rate for
the previous calendar year. Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2012,
the commissioner shall include as part of the performance targets described in paragraph
(b) a reduction in the health plan's emergency department utilization rate for medical
assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, as determined by the commissioner. new text begin For 2012,
the reductions shall be based on the health plan's utilization in 2009. new text end To earn the return of
the withhold each new text begin subsequent new text end year, the managed care plan or county-based purchasing
plan must achieve a qualifying reduction of no less than ten percent of the plan's utilization
rate for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, excluding deleted text begin Medicaredeleted text end enrolleesnew text begin in
programs described in section 256B.69, subdivisions 23 and 28new text end , compared to the previous
deleted text begin calendardeleted text end new text begin measurementnew text end year, until the final performance target is reached.new text begin When measuring
performance, the commissioner must consider the difference in health risk in a managed
care or county-based purchasing plan's membership in the baseline year compared to the
measurement year, and work with the managed care or county-based purchasing plan to
account for differences that they agree are significant.
new text end
The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and no later than July 31
of the following calendar year if the managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that a reduction in the utilization rate
was achieved.new text begin The commissioner shall structure the withhold so that the commissioner
returns a portion of the withheld funds in amounts commensurate with achieved reductions
in utilization less than the targeted amount.
new text end
The withhold described in this paragraph shall continue for each consecutive
contract period until the plan's emergency room utilization rate for state health care
program enrollees is reduced by 25 percent of the plan's emergency room utilization
rate for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees for calendar year deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2009new text end .
Hospitals shall cooperate with the health plans in meeting this performance target and
shall accept payment withholds that may be returned to the hospitals if the performance
target is achieved.
(e) Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2012, the commissioner
shall include as part of the performance targets described in paragraph (b) a reduction
in the plan's hospitalization admission rate for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare
enrollees, as determined by the commissioner. To earn the return of the withhold
each year, the managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan must achieve a
qualifying reduction of no less than five percent of the plan's hospital admission rate
for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, excluding deleted text begin Medicaredeleted text end enrolleesnew text begin
in programs described in section 256B.69, subdivisions 23 and 28new text end , compared to the
previous calendar year, until the final performance target is reached.new text begin When measuring
performance, the commissioner must consider the difference in health risk in a managed
care or county-based purchasing plan's membership in the baseline year compared to the
measurement year, and work with the managed care or county-based purchasing plan to
account for differences that they agree are significant.
new text end
The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and no later than July
31 of the following calendar year if the managed care plan or county-based purchasing
plan demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that this reduction in the
hospitalization rate was achieved.new text begin The commissioner shall structure the withhold so that
the commissioner returns a portion of the withheld funds in amounts commensurate with
achieved reductions in utilization less than the targeted amount.
new text end
The withhold described in this paragraph shall continue until there is a 25 percent
reduction in the hospitals admission rate compared to the hospital admission rate for
calendar year 2011 as determined by the commissioner. Hospitals shall cooperate with the
plans in meeting this performance target and shall accept payment withholds that may be
returned to the hospitals if the performance target is achieved. The hospital admissions
in this performance target do not include the admissions applicable to the subsequent
hospital admission performance target under paragraph (f).
(f) Effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2012, the commissioner
shall include as part of the performance targets described in paragraph (b) a reduction
in the plan's hospitalization rate for a subsequent hospitalization within 30 days of a
previous hospitalization of a patient regardless of the reason, for medical assistance and
MinnesotaCare enrollees, as determined by the commissioner. To earn the return of the
withhold each year, the managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan must achieve
a qualifying reduction of the subsequent hospital admissions rate for medical assistance
and MinnesotaCare enrollees, excluding deleted text begin Medicaredeleted text end enrolleesnew text begin in programs described in
section 256B.69, subdivisions 23 and 28new text end , of no less than five percent compared to the
previous calendar year until the final performance target is reached.
The withheld funds must be returned no sooner than July 1 and no later than July 31
of the following calendar year if the managed care plan or county-based purchasing plan
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that a reduction in the subsequent
hospitalization rate was achieved.new text begin The commissioner shall structure the withhold so that
the commissioner returns a portion of the withheld funds in amounts commensurate with
achieved reductions in utilization less than the targeted amount.
new text end
The withhold described in this paragraph must continue for each consecutive
contract period until the plan's subsequent hospitalization rate for medical assistance and
MinnesotaCare enrollees is reduced by 25 percent of the plan's subsequent hospitalization
rate for calendar year 2011. Hospitals shall cooperate with the plans in meeting this
performance target and shall accept payment withholds that must be returned to the
hospitals if the performance target is achieved.
(g) A managed care plan or a county-based purchasing plan under section 256B.692
may include as admitted assets under section 62D.044 any amount withheld under this
section that is reasonably expected to be returned.
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of human services shall issue a request for information
from vendors about potential solutions for the management of nonemergency medical
transportation (NEMT) services provided to recipients of Minnesota health care programs.
The request for information must require vendors to submit responses by November 1,
2012. The request for information shall seek information from vendors, including but not
limited to, the following aspects:
new text end
new text begin
(1) administration of the NEMT program within a single administrative structure,
that may include a statewide or regionalized solution;
new text end
new text begin
(2) oversight of transportation services;
new text end
new text begin
(3) a process for assessing an individual's level of need;
new text end
new text begin
(4) methods that promote the appropriate use of public transportation; and
new text end
new text begin
(5) an electronic system that assists providers in managing services to clients and is
consistent with the recommendations in the 2011 evaluation report by the Office of the
Legislative Auditor on NEMT, related to the use of data to inform decision-making and
reduce waste and fraud.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner shall provide the information obtained from the request for
information to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over health and human services policy and financing by November 15, 2012.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of human services shall convene a group of interested
stakeholders to assist the commissioner in developing recommendations on how to
improve access to, and the quality of, outpatient mental health services for medical
assistance enrollees through the use of physician assistants. The commissioner shall report
these recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over health care policy and financing by January 15, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
The Health Services Advisory Council shall review currently available literature
regarding the efficacy of various treatments for autism spectrum disorder, including
an evaluation of age-based variation in the appropriateness of existing medical and
behavioral interventions. The council shall recommend to the commissioner of human
services authorization criteria for services based on existing evidence. The council may
recommend coverage with ongoing collection of outcomes evidence in circumstances
where evidence is currently unavailable, or where the strength of the evidence is low. The
council shall make this recommendation by December 31, 2012.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of human
services may discontinue the evidence-based childbirth program and shall discontinue all
affiliated reporting requirements established under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0625,
subdivision 3g, once the commissioner determines that hospitals representing at least 90
percent of births covered by medical assistance or MinnesotaCare have approved policies
and processes in place that prohibit elective inductions prior to 39 weeks' gestation.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of health, the commissioner of
commerce, and the commissioner of human services shall merge reporting requirements
for health maintenance organizations and county-based purchasing plans related to
Minnesota Department of Health oversight of network adequacy under Minnesota
Statutes, section 62D.124, and the provider network list reported to the Department of
Human Services under Minnesota Rules, part 4685.2100. The commissioners shall work
with health maintenance organizations and county-based purchasing plans to ensure that
the report merger is done in a manner that simplifies health maintenance organization and
county-based purchasing plan reporting processes.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of human services shall develop a plan to provide coordinated
and cost-effective health care and coverage for individuals who meet eligibility standards
for emergency medical assistance and who are ineligible for other state public programs.
The commissioner shall consult with relevant stakeholders in the development of the plan.
The commissioner shall consider the following elements:
new text end
new text begin
(1) strategies to provide individuals with the most appropriate care in the appropriate
setting, utilizing higher quality and lower cost providers;
new text end
new text begin
(2) payment mechanisms to encourage providers to manage the care of these
populations, and to produce lower cost of care and better patient outcomes;
new text end
new text begin
(3) ensure coverage and payment options that address the unique needs of those
needing episodic care, chronic care, and long-term care services;
new text end
new text begin
(4) strategies for coordinating health care and nonhealth care services, and
integrating with existing coverage; and
new text end
new text begin
(5) other issues and strategies to ensure cost-effective and coordinated delivery
of coverage and services.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner shall submit the plan to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services
policy and financing by January 15, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.06, subdivision 4, paragraph
(h), clause (2), the following services are covered as emergency medical conditions under
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.06, subdivision 4, paragraph (f):
new text end
new text begin
(1) dialysis services provided in a hospital or free-standing dialysis facility; and
new text end
new text begin
(2) surgery and the administration of chemotherapy, radiation, and related services
necessary to treat cancer if the recipient has a cancer diagnosis that is not in remission
and requires surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Coverage under paragraph (a) is effective May 1, 2012, until June 30, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of human services, in consultation with managed care
plans, county-based purchasing plans, and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop
recommendations to implement a revised cost-sharing structure for state public health
care programs that ensures application of meaningful cost-sharing requirements within
the limits of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, section 447.54, for enrollees in these
programs. The commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the legislative committees with jurisdiction over these issues by January 15, 2013, with
draft legislation to implement these recommendations effective January 1, 2014.
new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of human services must contract with an independent
vendor with demonstrated expertise in evaluating Medicaid managed care programs to
evaluate the value of managed care for state public health care programs provided under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.69, 256B.692, and 256L.12. Determination of the
value of managed care must include consideration of the following, as compared to a
fee-for-service program:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the satisfaction of state public health care program recipients and providers;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the ability to measure and improve health outcomes of recipients;
new text end
new text begin
(3) the access to health services for recipients;
new text end
new text begin
(4) the availability of additional services such as care coordination, case
management, disease management, transportation, and after-hours nurse lines;
new text end
new text begin
(5) actual and potential cost savings to the state;
new text end
new text begin
(6) the level of alignment with state and federal health reform policies, including a
health benefit exchange for individuals not enrolled in state public health care programs;
and
new text end
new text begin
(7) the ability to use different provider payment models that provide incentives for
cost-effective health care.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The evaluation described in paragraph (a) must also consider the need to continue
the requirement for health maintenance organizations to participate in the medical
assistance and MinnesotaCare programs as a condition of licensure under Minnesota
Statutes, section 62D.04, subdivision 5, and under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0644,
in terms of continued stability and access to services for enrollees of these programs.
new text end
new text begin
(c) A preliminary report of the evaluation must be submitted to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the health and human services legislative committees by
February 15, 2013, and the final report must be submitted by July 1, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
(a)
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Rules, part
4685.2000,
new text end
new text begin
is repealed effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section
62M.09, subdivision 9,
new text end
new text begin
is repealed effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 62Q.64,
new text end
new text begin
is repealed
effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 62Q.80, is amended to read:
(a) Any community-based health care initiative may develop
and operate community-based health care coverage programs that offer to eligible
individuals and their dependents the option of purchasing through their employer health
care coverage on a fixed prepaid basis without meeting the requirements of chapter 60A,
62A, 62C, 62D, 62M, 62N, 62Q, 62T, or 62U, or any other law or rule that applies to
entities licensed under these chapters.
(b) Each initiative shall establish health outcomes to be achieved through the
programs and performance measurements in order to determine whether these outcomes
have been met. The outcomes must include, but are not limited to:
(1) a reduction in uncompensated care provided by providers participating in the
community-based health network;
(2) an increase in the delivery of preventive health care services; and
(3) health improvement for enrollees with chronic health conditions through the
management of these conditions.
In establishing performance measurements, the initiative shall use measures that are
consistent with measures published by nonprofit Minnesota or national organizations that
produce and disseminate health care quality measures.
(c) Any program established under this section shall not constitute a financial
liability for the state, in that any financial risk involved in the operation or termination
of the program shall be borne by the community-based initiative and the participating
health care providers.
deleted text begin
The commissioner of health and the
commissioner of human services shall award demonstration project grants to
community-based health care initiatives to develop and operate community-based health
care coverage programs in Minnesota. The demonstration projects shall extend for five
years and must comply with the requirements of this section.
deleted text end
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Community-based" means located in or primarily relating to the community,
as determined by the board of a community-based health initiative that is served by the
community-based health care coverage program.
(b) "Community-based health care coverage program" or "program" means a
program administered by a community-based health initiative that provides health care
services through provider members of a community-based health network or combination
of networks to eligible individuals and their dependents who are enrolled in the program.
(c) "Community-based health initiative" or "initiative" means a nonprofit corporation
that is governed by a board that has at least 80 percent of its members residing in the
community and includes representatives of the participating network providers and
employers, or a county-based purchasing organization as defined in section 256B.692.
(d) "Community-based health network" means a contract-based network of health
care providers organized by the community-based health initiative to provide or support
the delivery of health care services to enrollees of the community-based health care
coverage program on a risk-sharing or nonrisk-sharing basis.
(e) "Dependent" means an eligible employee's spouse or unmarried child who is
under the age of 19 years.
(a) Prior to the operation of a community-based health
care coverage program, a community-based health initiative, defined in subdivision
2, paragraph (c), deleted text begin and receiving funds from the Department of Health,deleted text end shall submit to
the commissioner of health for approval the community-based health care coverage
program developed by the initiative. deleted text begin Each community-based health initiative as defined
in subdivision 2, paragraph (c), and receiving State Health Access Program (SHAP)
grant funding shall submit to the commissioner of human services for approval prior
to its operation the community-based health care coverage programs developed by the
initiatives.deleted text end The deleted text begin commissionersdeleted text end new text begin commissionernew text end shall ensure that each program meets
deleted text begin the federal grant requirements and anydeleted text end requirements described in this section and is
actuarially sound based on a review of appropriate records and methods utilized by the
community-based health initiative in establishing premium rates for the community-based
health care coverage programs.
(b) Prior to approval, the commissioner shall also ensure that:
(1) the benefits offered comply with subdivision 8 and that there are adequate
numbers of health care providers participating in the community-based health network to
deliver the benefits offered under the program;
(2) the activities of the program are limited to activities that are exempt under this
section or otherwise from regulation by the commissioner of commerce;
(3) the complaint resolution process meets the requirements of subdivision 10; and
(4) the data privacy policies and procedures comply with state and federal law.
The initiative shall establish and operate upon approval
by the deleted text begin commissionersdeleted text end new text begin commissionernew text end of health deleted text begin and human servicesdeleted text end community-based
health care coverage programs. The operational structure established by the initiative
shall include, but is not limited to:
(1) establishing a process for enrolling eligible individuals and their dependents;
(2) collecting and coordinating premiums from enrollees and employers of enrollees;
(3) providing payment to participating providers;
(4) establishing a benefit set according to subdivision 8 and establishing premium
rates and cost-sharing requirements;
(5) creating incentives to encourage primary care and wellness services; and
(6) initiating disease management services, as appropriate.
To be eligible for the community-based health
care coverage program, an individual must:
(1) reside in or work within the designated community-based geographic area
served by the program;
(2) be employed by a qualifying employer, be an employee's dependent, or be
self-employed on a full-time basis;
(3) not be enrolled in or have currently available health coverage, except for
catastrophic health care coverage; and
(4) not be eligible for or enrolled in medical assistance or general assistance medical
care, and not be enrolled in MinnesotaCare or Medicare.
(a) To qualify for participation in the
community-based health care coverage program, an employer must:
(1) employ at least one but no more than 50 employees at the time of initial
enrollment in the program;
(2) pay its employees a median wage that equals 350 percent of the federal poverty
guidelines or less for an individual; and
(3) not have offered employer-subsidized health coverage to its employees for
at least 12 months prior to the initial enrollment in the program. For purposes of this
section, "employer-subsidized health coverage" means health care coverage for which the
employer pays at least 50 percent of the cost of coverage for the employee.
(b) To participate in the program, a qualifying employer agrees to:
(1) offer health care coverage through the program to all eligible employees and
their dependents regardless of health status;
(2) participate in the program for an initial term of at least one year;
(3) pay a percentage of the premium established by the initiative for the employee;
and
(4) provide the initiative with any employee information deemed necessary by the
initiative to determine eligibility and premium payments.
Any health care provider participating in the
community-based health network must accept as payment in full the payment rate
established by the initiatives and may not charge to or collect from an enrollee any amount
in access of this amount for any service covered under the program.
(a) The initiatives shall establish the health care benefits offered
through the community-based health care coverage programs. The benefits established
shall include, at a minimum:
(1) child health supervision services up to age 18, as defined under section 62A.047;
and
(2) preventive services, including:
(i) health education and wellness services;
(ii) health supervision, evaluation, and follow-up;
(iii) immunizations; and
(iv) early disease detection.
(b) Coverage of health care services offered by the program may be limited to
participating health care providers or health networks. All services covered under the
programs must be services that are offered within the scope of practice of the participating
health care providers.
(c) The initiatives may establish cost-sharing requirements. Any co-payment or
deductible provisions established may not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race,
disability, economic status, or length of enrollment in the programs.
(d) If any of the initiatives amends or alters the benefits offered through the program
from the initial offering, that initiative must notify the deleted text begin commissionersdeleted text end new text begin commissionernew text end of
health deleted text begin and human servicesdeleted text end and all enrollees of the benefit change.
(a) The initiatives must provide an individual or
family who enrolls in the program a clear and concise written statement that includes
the following information:
(1) health care services that are covered under the program;
(2) any exclusions or limitations on the health care services covered, including any
cost-sharing arrangements or prior authorization requirements;
(3) a list of where the health care services can be obtained and that all health
care services must be provided by or through a participating health care provider or
community-based health network;
(4) a description of the program's complaint resolution process, including how to
submit a complaint; how to file a complaint with the commissioner of health; and how to
obtain an external review of any adverse decisions as provided under subdivision 10;
(5) the conditions under which the program or coverage under the program may
be canceled or terminated; and
(6) a precise statement specifying that this program is not an insurance product and,
as such, is exempt from state regulation of insurance products.
(b) The deleted text begin commissionersdeleted text end new text begin commissionernew text end of health deleted text begin and human servicesdeleted text end must approve a
copy of the written statement prior to the operation of the program.
(a) The initiatives must establish
a complaint resolution process. The process must make reasonable efforts to resolve
complaints and to inform complainants in writing of the initiative's decision within 60
days of receiving the complaint. Any decision that is adverse to the enrollee shall include
a description of the right to an external review as provided in paragraph (c) and how to
exercise this right.
(b) The initiatives must report any complaint that is not resolved within 60 days to
the commissioner of health.
(c) The initiatives must include in the complaint resolution process the ability of an
enrollee to pursue the external review process provided under section 62Q.73 with any
decision rendered under this external review process binding on the initiatives.
The initiatives shall establish data privacy policies and
procedures for the program that comply with state and federal data privacy laws.
(a) The initiatives may limit enrollment in
the program. If enrollment is limited, a waiting list must be established.
(b) The initiatives shall not restrict or deny enrollment in the program except for
nonpayment of premiums, fraud or misrepresentation, or as otherwise permitted under
this section.
(c) The initiatives may require a certain percentage of participation from eligible
employees of a qualifying employer before coverage can be offered through the program.
Each initiative shall submit deleted text begin quarterlydeleted text end new text begin an annual new text end status deleted text begin reportsdeleted text end new text begin
reportnew text end to the commissioner of health on January 15, deleted text begin April 15, July 15, and October 15deleted text end of
each year, with the first report due January 15, 2008. deleted text begin Each initiative receiving funding
from the Department of Human Services shall submit status reports to the commissioner
of human services as defined in the terms of the contract with the Department of Human
Services.deleted text end Each status report shall include:
(1) the financial status of the program, including the premium rates, cost per member
per month, claims paid out, premiums received, and administrative expenses;
(2) a description of the health care benefits offered and the services utilized;
(3) the number of employers participating, the number of employees and dependents
covered under the program, and the number of health care providers participating;
(4) a description of the health outcomes to be achieved by the program and a status
report on the performance measurements to be used and collected; and
(5) any other information requested by the deleted text begin commissionersdeleted text end new text begin commissionernew text end of healthdeleted text begin ,
human services,deleted text end or commerce or the legislature.
deleted text begin
This section expires August 31, 2014.
deleted text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 144.1222, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:
(a) A public swimming pond
in existence before January 1, 2008, is not a public pool for purposes of this section and
section 157.16, and is exempt from the requirements for public swimming pools under
Minnesota Rules, chapter 4717.
new text begin
(b) A naturally treated swimming pool located in the city of Minneapolis is not
a public pool for purposes of this section and section 157.16, and is exempt from the
requirements for public swimming pools under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4717.
new text end
deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end Notwithstanding deleted text begin paragraphdeleted text end new text begin paragraphsnew text end (a)new text begin and (b)new text end , a public swimming pond
new text begin and a naturally treated swimming pool new text end must meet the requirements for public pools
described in subdivisions 1c and 1d.
deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end For purposes of this subdivision, a "public swimming pond" means an
artificial body of water contained within a lined, sand-bottom basin, intended for public
swimming, relaxation, or recreational use that includes a water circulation system for
maintaining water quality and does not include any portion of a naturally occurring lake
or stream.
new text begin
(e) For purposes of this subdivision, a "naturally treated swimming pool" means an
artificial body of water contained in a basin, intended for public swimming, relaxation, or
recreational use that uses a chemical free filtration system for maintaining water quality
through natural processes, including the use of plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
new text begin
For purposes of this section, "advanced diagnostic
imaging services" has the meaning given in United States Code, title 42, section 1395M,
except that it does not include x-ray, ultrasound, or fluoroscopy.
new text end
new text begin
(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph
(b), advanced diagnostic imaging services eligible for reimbursement from any source,
including, but not limited to, the individual receiving such services and any individual
or group insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered in this state, including, but not
limited to, private health insurance plans, workers' compensation insurance, motor vehicle
insurance, the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP), and other state health
care programs, shall be reimbursed only if the facility at which the service has been
conducted and processed is accredited by one of the following entities:
new text end
new text begin
(i) American College of Radiology (ACR);
new text end
new text begin
(ii) Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC);
new text end
new text begin
(iii) the Joint Commission; or
new text end
new text begin
(iv) other relevant accreditation organization designated by the secretary of the
United States Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to United States Code,
title 42, section 1395M.
new text end
new text begin
(2) All accreditation standards recognized under this section must include, but are
not limited to:
new text end
new text begin
(i) provisions establishing qualifications of the physician;
new text end
new text begin
(ii) standards for quality control and routine performance monitoring by a medical
physicist;
new text end
new text begin
(iii) qualifications of the technologist, including minimum standards of supervised
clinical experience;
new text end
new text begin
(iv) guidelines for personnel and patient safety; and
new text end
new text begin
(v) standards for initial and ongoing quality control using clinical image review
and quantitative testing.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Any facility that performs advanced diagnostic imaging services and is eligible
to receive reimbursement for such services from any source in paragraph (a)(1) must
obtain accreditation by August 1, 2013. Thereafter, all facilities that provide advanced
diagnostic imaging services in the state must obtain accreditation prior to commencing
operations and must, at all times, maintain accreditation with an accrediting organization
as provided in paragraph (a).
new text end
new text begin
(a) Advanced diagnostic imaging facilities and providers
of advanced diagnostic imaging services must annually report to the commissioner
demonstration of accreditation as required under this section.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner may promulgate any rules necessary to administer the
reporting required under paragraph (a).
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 144.292, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
(a) When a patient requests a copy of the patient's record for
purposes of reviewing current medical care, the provider must not charge a fee.
(b) When a provider or its representative makes copies of patient records upon a
patient's request under this section, the provider or its representative may charge the
patient or the patient's representative no more than 75 cents per page, plus $10 for time
spent retrieving and copying the records, unless other law or a rule or contract provide for
a lower maximum charge. This limitation does not apply to x-rays. The provider may
charge a patient no more than the actual cost of reproducing x-rays, plus no more than
$10 for the time spent retrieving and copying the x-rays.
(c) The respective maximum charges of 75 cents per page and $10 for time provided
in this subdivision are in effect for calendar year 1992 and may be adjusted annually each
calendar year as provided in this subdivision. The permissible maximum charges shall
change each year by an amount that reflects the change, as compared to the previous year,
in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers, Minneapolis-St. Paul (CPI-U),
published by the Department of Labor.
(d) A provider or its representativenew text begin may charge the $10 retrieval fee, butnew text end must not
charge anew text begin per pagenew text end fee to provide copies of records requested by a patient or the patient's
authorized representative if the request for copies of records is for purposes of appealing
a denial of Social Security disability income or Social Security disability benefits under
title II or title XVI of the Social Security Actnew text begin ; except that no fee shall be charged to a
person who is receiving public assistance, who is represented by an attorney on behalf of
a civil legal services program or a volunteer attorney program based on indigencynew text end . For
the purpose of further appeals, a patient may receive no more than two medical record
updates without charge, but only for medical record information previously not provided.
For purposes of this paragraph, a patient's authorized representative does not include units
of state government engaged in the adjudication of Social Security disability claims.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 144.298, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
A person who does any of the
following is liable to the patient for compensatory damages caused by an unauthorized
releasenew text begin or an intentional, unauthorized accessnew text end , plus costs and reasonable attorney fees:
(1) negligently or intentionally requests or releases a health record in violation
of sections 144.291 to 144.297;
(2) forges a signature on a consent form or materially alters the consent form of
another person without the person's consent; deleted text begin or
deleted text end
(3) obtains a consent form or the health records of another person under false
pretensesnew text begin ; or
new text end
new text begin (4) intentionally violates sections 144.291 to 144.297 by intentionally accessing a
record locator service without authorizationnew text end .
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 144.5509, is amended to read:
(a) A radiation therapy facility may be constructed only by an entity owned,
operated, or controlled by a hospital licensed according to sections 144.50 to 144.56 either
alone or in cooperation with another entity.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), there shall be a moratorium on the construction
of any radiation therapy facility located in the following counties: Hennepin, Ramsey,
Dakota, Washington, Anoka, Carver, Scott, St. Louis, Sherburne, Benton, Stearns,
Chisago, Isanti, and Wright. This paragraph does not apply to the relocation or
reconstruction of an existing facility owned by a hospital if the relocation or reconstruction
is within one mile of the existing facility. This paragraph does not apply to a radiation
therapy facility that is being built attached to a community hospital in Wright County and
meets the following conditions prior to August 1, 2007: the capital expenditure report
required under Minnesota Statutes, section 62J.17, has been filed with the commissioner
of health; a timely construction schedule is developed, stipulating dates for beginning,
achieving various stages, and completing construction; and all zoning and building permits
applied for. new text begin Beginning January 1, 2013, this paragraph does not apply to any construction
necessary to relocate a radiation therapy machine from a community hospital-owned
radiation therapy facility located in the city of Maplewood to a community hospital
campus in the city of Woodbury within the same health system. new text end This paragraph expires
August 1, 2014.
new text begin
(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), after August 1, 2014, the construction of a
radiation therapy facility located in any of the following counties: Hennepin, Ramsey,
Dakota, Washington, Anoka, Carver, Scott, St. Louis, Sherburne, Benton, Stearns,
Chisago, Isanti, and Wright, may occur only if the following requirements are met:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the entity constructing the radiation therapy facility is controlled by or is under
common control with a hospital licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56; and
new text end
new text begin
(2) the new radiation therapy facility is located at least seven miles from an existing
radiation therapy facility.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Any referring physician located within a county identified in paragraph (c) must
provide each patient who is in need of radiation therapy services with a list of all radiation
therapy facilities located within the counties identified in paragraph (c). Physicians
with a financial interest in any radiation therapy facility must disclose to the patient the
existence of the interest.
new text end
new text begin
(e) For purposes of this section, "controlled by" or "under common control with"
means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
policies, operations, or activities of an entity, through the ownership of, or right to vote
or to direct the disposition of shares, membership interests, or ownership interests of
the entity.
new text end
new text begin
(f) For purposes of this section, "financial interest in any radiation therapy facility"
means a direct or indirect ownership or investment interest in a radiation therapy facility
or a compensation arrangement with a radiation therapy facility.
new text end
new text begin
(g) This section does not apply to the relocation or reconstruction of an existing
radiation therapy facility if:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the relocation or reconstruction of the facility remains owned by the same entity;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the relocation or reconstruction is located within one mile of the existing facility;
and
new text end
new text begin
(3) the period in which the existing facility is closed and the relocated or
reconstructed facility begins providing services does not exceed 12 months.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner shall establish and
appoint a Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force consisting of 15 members
who will provide equal representation from:
new text end
new text begin
(1) professionals with expertise in maternal and child health services;
new text end
new text begin
(2) representatives of community health boards as defined in section 145A.02,
subdivision 5; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) consumer representatives interested in the health of mothers and children.
new text end
new text begin
No members shall be employees of the Minnesota Department of Health. Section
15.059 governs the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force. Notwithstanding
section 15.059, the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force expires June 30, 2015.
new text end
new text begin
The advisory task force shall meet on a regular basis to perform
the following duties:
new text end
new text begin
(1) review and report on the health care needs of mothers and children throughout
the state of Minnesota;
new text end
new text begin
(2) review and report on the type, frequency, and impact of maternal and child health
care services provided to mothers and children under existing maternal and child health
care programs, including programs administered by the commissioner of health;
new text end
new text begin
(3) establish, review, and report to the commissioner a list of program guidelines
and criteria which the advisory task force considers essential to providing an effective
maternal and child health care program to low-income populations and high-risk persons
and fulfilling the purposes defined in section 145.88;
new text end
new text begin
(4) make recommendations to the commissioner for the use of other federal and state
funds available to meet maternal and child health needs;
new text end
new text begin
(5) make recommendations to the commissioner of health on priorities for funding
the following maternal and child health services:
new text end
new text begin
(i) prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care;
new text end
new text begin
(ii) comprehensive health care for children, especially from birth through five
years of age;
new text end
new text begin
(iii) adolescent health services;
new text end
new text begin
(iv) family planning services;
new text end
new text begin
(v) preventive dental care;
new text end
new text begin
(vi) special services for chronically ill and disabled children; and
new text end
new text begin
(vii) any other services that promote the health of mothers and children; and
new text end
new text begin
(6) establish, in consultation with the commissioner and the State Community Health
Advisory Committee established under section 145A.10, subdivision 10, paragraph (a),
statewide outcomes that will improve the health status of mothers and children as required
in section 145A.12, subdivision 7.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 145.906, is amended to read:
(a) The commissioner of health shall work with health care facilities, licensed health
and mental health care professionals, new text begin the women, infants, and children (WIC) program,
new text end mental health advocates, consumers, and families in the state to develop materials and
information about postpartum depression, including treatment resources, and develop
policies and procedures to comply with this section.
(b) Physicians, traditional midwives, and other licensed health care professionals
providing prenatal care to women must have available to women and their families
information about postpartum depression.
(c) Hospitals and other health care facilities in the state must provide departing new
mothers and fathers and other family members, as appropriate, with written information
about postpartum depression, including its symptoms, methods of coping with the illness,
and treatment resources.
new text begin
(d) Information about postpartum depression, including its symptoms, potential
impact on families, and treatment resources, must be available at WIC sites.
new text end
new text begin
Relating to the evaluations and legislative report completed pursuant to Laws
2011, First Special Session chapter 9, article 2, section 26, the following activities must
be completed:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the commissioners of health and human services must update, revise, and
link the contents of their Web sites related to supervised living facilities, intermediate
care facilities for the developmentally disabled, nursing facilities, board and lodging
establishments, and human services licensed programs so that consumers and providers
can access consistent clear information about the regulations affecting these facilities; and
new text end
new text begin
(2) the commissioner of management and budget, in consultation with the
commissioners of health and human services, must evaluate and recommend options
for administering health and human services regulations. The evaluation and
recommendations must be submitted in a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the health and human services legislative committees no later than August 1,
2013, and shall at a minimum: (i) identify and evaluate the regulatory responsibilities of
the Departments of Health and Human Services to determine whether to reorganize these
regulatory responsibilities to improve how the state administers health and human services
regulatory functions, or whether there are ways to improve these regulatory activities
without reorganizing; (ii) describe and evaluate the multiple roles of the Department of
Human Services as a direct provider of care services, a regulator, and a payor for state
program services; and (iii) for long-term care regulated in both departments, evaluate and
make recommendations for reasonable client risk assessments, planning for client risk
reductions, and determining reasonable assumptions of client risks in relation to directing
health care, client health care rights, provider liabilities, and provider responsibilities to
provide minimum standards of care.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of health, in consultation with the Minnesota e-Health Advisory
Committee, shall study the following:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the extent to which providers have audit procedures in place to monitor use of
representation of consent and unauthorized access to a patient's health records in violation
of Minnesota Statutes, sections 144.291 to 144.297;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the feasibility of informing patients if an intentional, unauthorized access of
their health records occurs; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) the feasibility of providing patients with a copy of a provider's audit log showing
who has accessed their health records.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner shall report study findings and any relevant patient privacy and
other recommendations to the legislature by February 15, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of health must routinely report to the public and to the legislature
data on the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence in Minnesota, to the extent
federal funding is available for this purpose. The commissioner must use existing data
provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or other source as identified
by commissioner.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
new text begin
By February 1, 2013, the commissioner of health must report recommendations to
the legislature as to development of a comprehensive home care plan to increase inspection
and oversight of licensed home care providers under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144A.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of commerce,
shall report to the legislature by February 15, 2013, on recommendations to maximize
administrative efficiency in the regulation of health maintenance organizations,
county-based purchasers, insurance carriers, and related entities while maintaining quality
health outcomes, regulatory stability, and price stability.
new text end
new text begin
(a) To the extent of available appropriations, the commissioner of health shall
conduct a study of the following: (1) current treatment capacity of the existing radiation
therapy facilities within the state; (2) the present need for radiation therapy services based
on population demographics and new cancer cases; and (3) the projected need in the next
ten years for radiation therapy services and whether the current facilities can sustain
this projected need.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner may contract with a qualified entity to conduct the study. The
study shall be completed by March 15, 2013, and the results shall be submitted to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the health and human services committees of
the legislature.
new text end
new text begin
(a) For the distribution of funds for fiscal year 2013, as required under Minnesota
Statutes, section 62J.692, subdivision 4, the commissioner of health shall distribute
$300,000 to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare before following the distribution
described under Minnesota Statutes, section 62J.692, subdivision 4, paragraph (a).
new text end
new text begin
(b) This section is effective upon federal approval.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 119B.13, subdivision 7, is
amended to read:
(a) Licensed child care providers and license-exempt centers
must not be reimbursed for more than ten full-day absent days per child, excluding
holidays, in a fiscal year. Legal nonlicensed family child care providers must not be
reimbursed for absent days. If a child attends for part of the time authorized to be in care in
a day, but is absent for part of the time authorized to be in care in that same day, the absent
time must be reimbursed but the time must not count toward the ten absent day limit.
Child care providers must only be reimbursed for absent days if the provider has a written
policy for child absences and charges all other families in care for similar absences.
new text begin
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), children in families may exceed the ten absent
days limit if at least one parent is: (1) under the age of 21; (2) does not have a high school
or general equivalency diploma; and (3) is a student in a school district or another similar
program that provides or arranges for child care, parenting support, social services, career
and employment supports, and academic support to achieve high school graduation, upon
request of the program and approval of the county. If a child attends part of an authorized
day, payment to the provider must be for the full amount of care authorized for that day.
new text end
deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Child care providers must be reimbursed for up to ten federal or state
holidays or designated holidays per year when the provider charges all families for these
days and the holiday or designated holiday falls on a day when the child is authorized to
be in attendance. Parents may substitute other cultural or religious holidays for the ten
recognized state and federal holidays. Holidays do not count toward the ten absent day
limit.
deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end A family or child care provider must not be assessed an overpayment for an
absent day payment unless (1) there was an error in the amount of care authorized for the
family, (2) all of the allowed full-day absent payments for the child have been paid, or (3)
the family or provider did not timely report a change as required under law.
deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The provider and family shall receive notification of the number of absent
days used upon initial provider authorization for a family and ongoing notification of the
number of absent days used as of the date of the notification.
new text begin
This section is effective January 1, 2013.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin
(a) The state court administrator shall provide a
report every six months by electronic means to the commissioner of human services,
including the name, address, date of birth, and, if available, driver's license or state
identification card number, date of sentence, effective date of the sentence, and county in
which the conviction occurred of each person convicted of a felony under chapter 152
during the previous six months.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner shall determine whether the individuals who are the subject of
the data reported under paragraph (a) are receiving public assistance under chapter 256D
or 256J, and if the individual is receiving assistance under chapter 256D or 256J, the
commissioner shall instruct the county to proceed under section 256D.024 or 256J.26,
whichever is applicable, for this individual.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The commissioner shall not retain any data received under paragraph (a) or (d)
that does not relate to an individual receiving publicly funded assistance under chapter
256D or 256J.
new text end
new text begin
(d) In addition to the routine data transfer under paragraph (a), the state court
administrator shall provide a onetime report of the data fields under paragraph (a) for
individuals with a felony drug conviction under chapter 152 dated from July 1, 1997, until
the date of the data transfer. The commissioner shall perform the tasks identified under
paragraph (b) related to this data and shall retain the data according to paragraph (c).
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2013.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of public safety shall, on a monthly basis,
provide the commissioner of human services with the first, middle, and last name,
the address, date of birth, and driver's license or state identification card number of all
applicants and holders whose drivers' licenses and state identification cards have been
canceled under section 171.14, paragraph (a), clauses (2) or (3), by the commissioner of
public safety. After the initial data report has been provided by the commissioner of
public safety to the commissioner of human services under this paragraph, subsequent
reports shall only include cancellations that occurred after the end date of the cancellations
represented in the previous data report.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner of human services shall compare the information provided
under paragraph (a) with the commissioner's data regarding recipients of all public
assistance programs managed by the Department of Human Services to determine whether
any individual with multiple identification cards issued by the Department of Public
Safety has illegally or improperly enrolled in any public assistance program managed by
the Department of Human Services.
new text end
new text begin
(c) If the commissioner of human services determines that an applicant or recipient
has illegally or improperly enrolled in any public assistance program, the commissioner
shall provide all due process protections to the individual before terminating the individual
from the program according to applicable statute and notifying the county attorney.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2013.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of public safety shall, on a monthly basis, provide
the commissioner of human services with the first, middle, and last name, address, date of
birth, and driver's license or state identification number of all applicants and holders of
drivers' licenses and state identification cards whose temporary legal presence date has
expired and as a result the driver's license or identification card has been accordingly
canceled under section 171.14 by the commissioner of public safety.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner of human services shall use the information provided under
paragraph (a) to determine whether the eligibility of any recipients of public assistance
programs managed by the Department of Human Services has changed as a result of the
status change in the Department of Public Safety data.
new text end
new text begin
(c) If the commissioner of human services determines that a recipient has illegally or
improperly received benefits from any public assistance program, the commissioner shall
provide all due process protections to the individual before terminating the individual from
the program according to applicable statute and notifying the county attorney.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2013.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256.9831, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
The commissioner shall take all actions
necessary to ensure that no person may obtain benefits under chapter 256 deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end 256Dnew text begin , or 256Jnew text end
through the use of a financial transaction card, as defined in section 609.821, subdivision
1, paragraph (a), at a terminal located in or attached to a gambling establishmentnew text begin , liquor
store, tobacco store, or tattoo parlornew text end .
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256.987, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Cash benefits for the
general assistance and Minnesota supplemental aid programs under chapter 256D and
programs under chapter 256J must be issued on deleted text begin a separatedeleted text end new text begin annew text end EBT card with the name of
the head of household printed on the card. The card must include the following statement:
"It is unlawful to use this card to purchase tobacco products or alcoholic beverages." This
card must be issued within 30 calendar days of an eligibility determination. During the
initial 30 calendar days of eligibility, a recipient may have cash benefits issued on an EBT
card without a name printed on the card. This card may be the same card on which food
support benefits are issued and does not need to meet the requirements of this section.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256.987, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
new text begin An individual with an new text end EBT deleted text begin debit cardholders indeleted text end new text begin
card issued for one of thenew text end programs listed under subdivision 1 deleted text begin aredeleted text end new text begin isnew text end prohibited from using
the EBT debit card to purchase tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, as defined in
section 340A.101, subdivision 2. deleted text begin It is unlawful for an EBT cardholder to purchase or
attempt to purchase tobacco products or alcoholic beverages with the cardholder's EBT
card.deleted text end Any deleted text begin unlawful usedeleted text end new text begin prohibited purchases madenew text end under this subdivision shall constitute
deleted text begin frauddeleted text end new text begin unlawful usenew text end and result in disqualificationnew text begin of the cardholdernew text end from the program deleted text begin under
section 256.98, subdivision 8deleted text end new text begin as provided in subdivision 4new text end .
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256.987, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
EBT debit cardholders in programs
listed under subdivision 1 are prohibited from using the cash portion of the EBT card at
vendors and automatic teller machines located outside of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota,
South Dakota, or Wisconsin. This subdivision does not apply to the food portion.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective March 1, 2013.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256.987, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) Any person found to be guilty of purchasing tobacco
products or alcoholic beverages with their EBT debit card by a federal or state court or
by an administrative hearing determination, or waiver thereof, through a disqualification
consent agreement, or as part of any approved diversion plan under section 401.065, or
any court-ordered stay which carries with it any probationary or other conditions, in
the: (1) Minnesota family investment program and any affiliated program to include the
diversionary work program and the work participation cash benefit program under chapter
256J; (2) general assistance program under chapter 256D; or (3) Minnesota supplemental
aid program under chapter 256D, shall be disqualified from all of the listed programs.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The needs of the disqualified individual shall not be taken into consideration
in determining the grant level for that assistance unit: (1) for one year after the first
offense; (2) for two years after the second offense; and (3) permanently after the third or
subsequent offense.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The period of program disqualification shall begin on the date stipulated on the
advance notice of disqualification without possibility for postponement for administrative
stay or administrative hearing and shall continue through completion unless and until the
findings upon which the sanctions were imposed are reversed by a court of competent
jurisdiction. The period for which sanctions are imposed is not subject to review.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective June 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256D.06, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
In addition to the $50 disregard
required under subdivision 1, the county agency shall disregard an additional earned
income up to a maximum of deleted text begin $150deleted text end new text begin $500new text end per month for: (1) persons residing in facilities
licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0500 to 9520.0690 and 9530.2500 to
9530.4000, and for whom discharge and work are part of a treatment plan; (2) persons
living in supervised apartments with services funded under Minnesota Rules, parts
9535.0100 to 9535.1600, and for whom discharge and work are part of a treatment plan;
and (3) persons residing in group residential housing, as that term is defined in section
256I.03, subdivision 3, for whom the county agency has approved a discharge plan
which includes work. The additional amount disregarded must be placed in a separate
savings account by the eligible individual, to be used upon discharge from the residential
facility into the community. For individuals residing in a chemical dependency program
licensed under Minnesota Rules, part 9530.4100, subpart 22, item D, withdrawals from
the savings account require the signature of the individual and for those individuals with
an authorized representative payee, the signature of the payee. A maximum of deleted text begin $1,000deleted text end new text begin
$2,000new text end , including interest, of the money in the savings account must be excluded from
the resource limits established by section 256D.08, subdivision 1, clause (1). Amounts in
that account in excess of deleted text begin $1,000deleted text end new text begin $2,000new text end must be applied to the resident's cost of care. If
excluded money is removed from the savings account by the eligible individual at any
time before the individual is discharged from the facility into the community, the money is
income to the individual in the month of receipt and a resource in subsequent months. If
an eligible individual moves from a community facility to an inpatient hospital setting,
the separate savings account is an excluded asset for up to 18 months. During that time,
amounts that accumulate in excess of the deleted text begin $1,000deleted text end new text begin $2,000new text end savings limit must be applied to
the patient's cost of care. If the patient continues to be hospitalized at the conclusion of the
18-month period, the entire account must be applied to the patient's cost of care.
new text begin
This section is effective October 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256E.35, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:
(a) To be eligible fornew text begin state or TANFnew text end
matching funds in the family assets for independence initiative, a household must meet the
eligibility requirements of the federal Assets for Independence Act, Public Law 105-285,
in Title IV, section 408 of that act.
(b) Each participating household must sign a family asset agreement that includes
the amount of scheduled deposits into its savings account, the proposed use, and the
proposed savings goal. A participating household must agree to complete an economic
literacy training program.
Participating households may only deposit money that is derived from household
earned income or from state and federal income tax credits.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256E.35, subdivision 6, is
amended to read:
(a) To receive a match, a
participating household must transfer funds withdrawn from a family asset account to its
matching fund custodial account held by the fiscal agent, according to the family asset
agreement. The fiscal agent must determine if the match request is for a permissible use
consistent with the household's family asset agreement.
The fiscal agent must ensure the household's custodial account contains the
applicable matching funds to match the balance in the household's account, including
interest, on at least a quarterly basis and at the time of an approved withdrawal.new text begin Matches
must be provided as follows:
new text end
new text begin
(1) from state grant and TANF funds, a matching contribution of $1.50 for every
$1 of funds withdrawn from the family asset account equal to the lesser of $720 per
year or a $3,000 lifetime limit; and
new text end
new text begin
(2) from nonstate funds, a matching contribution of no less than $1.50 for every $1
of funds withdrawn from the family asset account equal to the lesser of $720 per year or
a $3,000 lifetime limit.
new text end
(b) Upon receipt of transferred custodial account funds, the fiscal agent must make a
direct payment to the vendor of the goods or services for the permissible use.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256E.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
The commissioner may make grants to state
agencies and political subdivisions to construct or rehabilitate facilities for early childhood
programs, crisis nurseries, or parenting time centers. The following requirements apply:
(1) The facilities must be owned by the state or a political subdivision, but may
be leased under section 16A.695 to organizations that operate the programs. The
commissioner must prescribe the terms and conditions of the leases.
(2) A grant for an individual facility must not exceed $500,000 for each program
that is housed in the facility, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for a facility that houses
three programs or more. Programs include Head Start, School Readiness, Early Childhood
Family Education, licensed child care, and other early childhood intervention programs.
(3) State appropriations must be matched on a 50 percent basis with nonstate funds.
The matching requirement must apply program wide and not to individual grants.
new text begin
(4) At least 80 percent of grant funds must be distributed to facilities located in
counties not included in the definition under section 473.121, subdivision 4.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256I.05, subdivision 1a, is
amended to read:
(a) Subject to the provisions of section
256I.04, subdivision 3, the county agency may negotiate a payment not to exceed $426.37
for other services necessary to provide room and board provided by the group residence
if the residence is licensed by or registered by the Department of Health, or licensed by
the Department of Human Services to provide services in addition to room and board,
and if the provider of services is not also concurrently receiving funding for services for
a recipient under a home and community-based waiver under title XIX of the Social
Security Act; or funding from the medical assistance program under section 256B.0659,
for personal care services for residents in the setting; or residing in a setting which
receives funding under Minnesota Rules, parts 9535.2000 to 9535.3000. If funding is
available for other necessary services through a home and community-based waiver, or
personal care services under section 256B.0659, then the GRH rate is limited to the rate
set in subdivision 1. Unless otherwise provided in law, in no case may the supplementary
service rate exceed $426.37. The registration and licensure requirement does not apply to
establishments which are exempt from state licensure because they are located on Indian
reservations and for which the tribe has prescribed health and safety requirements. Service
payments under this section may be prohibited under rules to prevent the supplanting of
federal funds with state funds. The commissioner shall pursue the feasibility of obtaining
the approval of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide home and
community-based waiver services under title XIX of the Social Security Act for residents
who are not eligible for an existing home and community-based waiver due to a primary
diagnosis of mental illness or chemical dependency and shall apply for a waiver if it is
determined to be cost-effective.
(b) The commissioner is authorized to make cost-neutral transfers from the GRH
fund for beds under this section to other funding programs administered by the department
after consultation with the county or counties in which the affected beds are located.
The commissioner may also make cost-neutral transfers from the GRH fund to county
human service agencies for beds permanently removed from the GRH census under a plan
submitted by the county agency and approved by the commissioner. The commissioner
shall report the amount of any transfers under this provision annually to the legislature.
(c) The provisions of paragraph (b) do not apply to a facility that has its
reimbursement rate established under section 256B.431, subdivision 4, paragraph (c).
(d) Counties must not negotiate supplementary service rates with providers of group
residential housing that are licensed as board and lodging with special services and that
do not encourage a policy of sobriety on their premisesnew text begin and make referrals to available
community services for volunteer and employment opportunities for residentsnew text end .
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256I.05, subdivision 1e, is amended to read:
new text begin (a) new text end Notwithstanding the
provisions of subdivisions 1a and 1c, beginning July 1, 2005, a county agency shall
negotiate a supplementary rate in addition to the rate specified in subdivision 1, not to
exceed $700 per month, including any legislatively authorized inflationary adjustments,
for a group residential housing provider that:
(1) is located in Hennepin County and has had a group residential housing contract
with the county since June 1996;
(2) operates in three separate locations a 75-bed facility, a 50-bed facility, and a
26-bed facility; and
(3) serves a chemically dependent clientele, providing 24 hours per day supervision
and limiting a resident's maximum length of stay to 13 months out of a consecutive
24-month period.
new text begin
(b) Notwithstanding subdivisions 1a and 1c, a county agency shall negotiate a
supplementary rate in addition to the rate specified in subdivision 1, not to exceed $700
per month, including any legislatively authorized inflationary adjustments, of a group
residential provider that:
new text end
new text begin
(1) is located in St. Louis County and has had a group residential housing contract
with the county since 2006;
new text end
new text begin
(2) operates a 62-bed facility; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) serves a chemically dependent adult male clientele, providing 24 hours per
day supervision and limiting a resident's maximum length of stay to 13 months out of
a consecutive 24-month period.
new text end
new text begin
(c) Notwithstanding subdivisions 1a and 1c, beginning July 1, 2013, a county agency
shall negotiate a supplementary rate in addition to the rate specified in subdivision 1, not
to exceed $700 per month, including any legislatively authorized inflationary adjustments,
for the group residential provider described under paragraphs (a) and (b), not to exceed
an additional 115 beds.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2013.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.26, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
(a) deleted text begin Applicants or participantsdeleted text end new text begin
An individualnew text end who deleted text begin havedeleted text end new text begin hasnew text end been convicted of a new text begin felony level new text end drug offense committed deleted text begin after
July 1, 1997, may, if otherwise eligible, receive MFIP benefits subject to the following
conditions:deleted text end new text begin during the previous ten years from the date of application or recertification is
subject to the following:
new text end
(1) Benefits for the entire assistance unit must be paid in vendor form for shelter and
utilities during any time the applicant is part of the assistance unit.
(2) The convicted applicant or participant shall be subject to random drug testing as
a condition of continued eligibility and following any positive test for an illegal controlled
substance is subject to the following sanctions:
(i) for failing a drug test the first time, the residual amount of the participant's grant
after making vendor payments for shelter and utility costs, if any, must be reduced by an
amount equal to 30 percent of the MFIP standard of need for an assistance unit of the same
size. When a sanction under this subdivision is in effect, the job counselor must attempt
to meet with the person face-to-face. During the face-to-face meeting, the job counselor
must explain the consequences of a subsequent drug test failure and inform the participant
of the right to appeal the sanction under section 256J.40. If a face-to-face meeting is
not possible, the county agency must send the participant a notice of adverse action as
provided in section 256J.31, subdivisions 4 and 5, and must include the information
required in the face-to-face meeting; or
(ii) for failing a drug test two times, the participant is permanently disqualified from
receiving MFIP assistance, both the cash and food portions. The assistance unit's MFIP
grant must be reduced by the amount which would have otherwise been made available to
the disqualified participant. Disqualification under this item does not make a participant
ineligible for food stamps or food support. Before a disqualification under this provision is
imposed, the job counselor must attempt to meet with the participant face-to-face. During
the face-to-face meeting, the job counselor must identify other resources that may be
available to the participant to meet the needs of the family and inform the participant of
the right to appeal the disqualification under section 256J.40. If a face-to-face meeting is
not possible, the county agency must send the participant a notice of adverse action as
provided in section 256J.31, subdivisions 4 and 5, and must include the information
required in the face-to-face meeting.
(3) A participant who fails a drug test the first time and is under a sanction due to
other MFIP program requirements is considered to have more than one occurrence of
noncompliance and is subject to the applicable level of sanction as specified under section
256J.46, subdivision 1, paragraph (d).
(b) Applicants requesting only food stamps or food support or participants receiving
only food stamps or food support, who have been convicted of a drug offense that
occurred after July 1, 1997, may, if otherwise eligible, receive food stamps or food support
if the convicted applicant or participant is subject to random drug testing as a condition
of continued eligibility. Following a positive test for an illegal controlled substance, the
applicant is subject to the following sanctions:
(1) for failing a drug test the first time, food stamps or food support shall be reduced
by an amount equal to 30 percent of the applicable food stamp or food support allotment.
When a sanction under this clause is in effect, a job counselor must attempt to meet with
the person face-to-face. During the face-to-face meeting, a job counselor must explain
the consequences of a subsequent drug test failure and inform the participant of the right
to appeal the sanction under section 256J.40. If a face-to-face meeting is not possible,
a county agency must send the participant a notice of adverse action as provided in
section 256J.31, subdivisions 4 and 5, and must include the information required in the
face-to-face meeting; and
(2) for failing a drug test two times, the participant is permanently disqualified from
receiving food stamps or food support. Before a disqualification under this provision is
imposed, a job counselor must attempt to meet with the participant face-to-face. During
the face-to-face meeting, the job counselor must identify other resources that may be
available to the participant to meet the needs of the family and inform the participant of
the right to appeal the disqualification under section 256J.40. If a face-to-face meeting
is not possible, a county agency must send the participant a notice of adverse action as
provided in section 256J.31, subdivisions 4 and 5, and must include the information
required in the face-to-face meeting.
deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end For the purposes of this subdivision, "drug offense" means an offense that
occurred deleted text begin after July 1, 1997,deleted text end new text begin during the previous ten years from the date of application
or recertificationnew text end of sections 152.021 to 152.025, 152.0261, 152.0262, deleted text begin ordeleted text end 152.096new text begin , or
152.137new text end . Drug offense also means a conviction in another jurisdiction of the possession,
use, or distribution of a controlled substance, or conspiracy to commit any of these
offenses, if the offense occurred deleted text begin after July 1, 1997,deleted text end new text begin during the previous ten years from
the date of application or recertificationnew text end and the conviction is a felony offense in that
jurisdiction, or in the case of New Jersey, a high misdemeanor.
new text begin
This section is effective October 1, 2012, for all new MFIP
applicants who apply on or after that date and for all recertifications occurring on or
after that date.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.26, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin
Upon discovery by the county
that a unit has been deemed uninhabitable under section 504B.131, the county shall
immediately notify the landlord to return the vendor paid rent under this section for the
month in which the discovery occurred. The county shall cease future rent payments for
the uninhabitable housing units until the landlord demonstrates the premises are fit for
the intended use. A landlord who is required to return vendor paid rent or is prohibited
from receiving future rent under this subdivision may not take an eviction action against
anyone in the assistance unit.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.575, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
deleted text begin (a) Thedeleted text end Family stabilization services serve families who
are not making significant progress within thenew text begin regular employment and training services
track of thenew text end Minnesota family investment program (MFIP) due to a variety of barriers to
employment.
deleted text begin
(b) The goal of the services is to stabilize and improve the lives of families at risk
of long-term welfare dependency or family instability due to employment barriers such
as physical disability, mental disability, age, or providing care for a disabled household
member. These services promote and support families to achieve the greatest possible
degree of self-sufficiency.
deleted text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.575, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
The terms used in this section have the meanings given them
in paragraphs (a) deleted text begin to (d)deleted text end new text begin and (b)new text end .
(a) deleted text begin "Case manager" means the county-designated staff person or employment
services counselor.
deleted text end
deleted text begin (b) "Case management"deleted text end new text begin "Family stabilization services"new text end means deleted text begin the servicesdeleted text end new text begin
programs, activities, and servicesnew text end provided by or through the county agency or through the
employment services agency to participating familiesdeleted text begin , includingdeleted text end new text begin . Services include, but
are not limited to,new text end assessmentnew text begin as defined in section 256J.521, subdivision 1new text end , deleted text begin information,deleted text end
referrals, and assistance in the preparation and implementation of a family stabilization
plan under subdivision 5.
deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end "Family stabilization plan" means a plan developed deleted text begin by a case manager
anddeleted text end new text begin withnew text end the participant, which identifies the participant's most appropriate path to
unsubsidized employment, family stability, and barrier reduction, taking into account the
family's circumstances.
deleted text begin
(d) "Family stabilization services" means programs, activities, and services in this
section that provide participants and their family members with assistance regarding,
but not limited to:
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(1) obtaining and retaining unsubsidized employment;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(2) family stability;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(3) economic stability; and
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(4) barrier reduction.
deleted text end
deleted text begin
The goal of the services is to achieve the greatest degree of economic self-sufficiency
and family well-being possible for the family under the circumstances.
deleted text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.575, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
(a) The county agency or employment services provider shall provide deleted text begin family stabilization
services to families through a case management model. A case manager shall be assigned
to each participating family within 30 days after the family is determined to be eligible
for family stabilization services. The case manager, with the full involvement of the
participant, shall recommend, and the county agency shall establish and modify as
necessary,deleted text end a family stabilization plan for each participating family. new text begin Once a participant
has been determined eligible for family stabilization services, the county agency or
employment services provider must attempt to meet with the participant to develop a
plan within 30 days.
new text end
new text begin (b) new text end If a participant is already assigned to a county case manager or a
county-designated case manager in social services, disability services, or housing services
that case manager already assigned may be the case manager for purposes of these services.
deleted text begin
(b) The family stabilization plan must include:
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(1) each participant's plan for long-term self-sufficiency, including an employment
goal where applicable;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(2) an assessment of each participant's strengths and barriers, and any special
circumstances of the participant's family that impact, or are likely to impact, the
participant's progress towards the goals in the plan; and
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(3) an identification of the services, supports, education, training, and
accommodations needed to reduce or overcome any barriers to enable the family to
achieve self-sufficiency and to fulfill each caregiver's personal and family responsibilities.
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(c) The case manager and the participant shall meet within 30 days of the family's
referral to the case manager. The initial family stabilization plan must be completed within
30 days of the first meeting with the case manager. The case manager shall establish a
schedule for periodic review of the family stabilization plan that includes personal contact
with the participant at least once per month. In addition, the case manager shall review
and, if necessary, modify the plan under the following circumstances:
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(1) there is a lack of satisfactory progress in achieving the goals of the plan;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(2) the participant has lost unsubsidized or subsidized employment;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(3) a family member has failed or is unable to comply with a family stabilization
plan requirement;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(4) services, supports, or other activities required by the plan are unavailable;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(5) changes to the plan are needed to promote the well-being of the children; or
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(6) the participant and case manager determine that the plan is no longer appropriate
for any other reason.
deleted text end
new text begin
(c) Participants determined eligible for family stabilization services must have
access to employment and training services under sections 256J.515 to 256J.575, to the
extent these services are available to other MFIP participants.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.575, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
deleted text begin (a)deleted text end A participant who is eligible
for family stabilization services deleted text begin under this section shall comply with paragraphs (b) to (d).
deleted text end
deleted text begin (b) Participantsdeleted text end shall engage in family stabilization deleted text begin plandeleted text end services for the appropriate
number of hours per week deleted text begin that the activities are scheduled and available,deleted text end new text begin based on the
needs of the participant and the participant's family,new text end unless good cause exists for not
doing so, as defined in section 256J.57, subdivision 1. deleted text begin The appropriate number of hours
must be based on the participant's plan.
deleted text end
deleted text begin (c)deleted text end The deleted text begin case managerdeleted text end new text begin county agency or employment services agencynew text end shall review
the participant's progress toward the goals in the family stabilization plan every six
months to determine whether conditions have changed, including whether revisions to
the plan are needed.
deleted text begin
(d) A participant's requirement to comply with any or all family stabilization plan
requirements under this subdivision is excused when the case management services,
training and educational services, or family support services identified in the participant's
family stabilization plan are unavailable for reasons beyond the control of the participant,
including when money appropriated is not sufficient to provide the services.
deleted text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256J.575, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
(a) The commissioner of human services shall treat MFIP
expenditures made to or on behalf of any minor child under this section, who is part of a
household that meets criteria in subdivision 3, as expenditures under a separately funded
state program. These expenditures shall not count toward the state's maintenance of effort
requirements under the federal TANF program.
(b) A family is no longer part of a separately funded program under this section if
the caregiver no longer meets the criteria for family stabilization services in subdivision
3deleted text begin , or if it is determined at recertification that a caregiver with a child under the age of six
is working at least 87 hours per month in paid or unpaid employment, or a caregiver
without a child under the age of six is working at least 130 hours per month in paid or
unpaid employment, whichever occurs soonerdeleted text end .
new text begin
A peace officer must report to the head of the
officer's department every arrest where the person arrested possesses more than one
welfare electronic benefit transfer card. Each report must include all of the following:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the name of the suspect;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the suspect's drivers license or state identification card number, where available;
new text end
new text begin
(3) the suspect's home address;
new text end
new text begin
(4) the number on each card;
new text end
new text begin
(5) the name on each electronic benefit card in the possession of the suspect, in cases
where the card has a name printed on it;
new text end
new text begin
(6) the date of the alleged offense;
new text end
new text begin
(7) the location of the alleged offense;
new text end
new text begin
(8) the alleged offense; and
new text end
new text begin
(9) any other information the commissioner of human services deems necessary.
new text end
new text begin
The head of a local law enforcement agency
or state law enforcement department that employs peace officers licensed under section
626.843 must forward the report required under subdivision 1 to the commissioner of
human services within 30 days of receiving the report. The commissioner of human
services shall use the report to determine whether the suspect is authorized to possess any
of the electronic benefit cards found in the suspect's possession.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of human services, in consultation
with the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, shall adopt reporting
forms to be used by law enforcement agencies in making the reports required under this
section.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.556, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin
A child under
age three who is involved in a substantiated case of maltreatment shall be referred for
screening under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, part C. Parents must be
informed that the evaluation and acceptance of services are voluntary. The commissioner
of human services shall monitor referral rates by county and annually report the
information to the legislature beginning March 15, 2014. Refusal to have a child screened
is not a basis for a child in need of protection or services petition under chapter 260C.
new text end
Laws 2010, chapter 374, section 1, is amended to read:
(a) The task force consists of the following members:
(1) four senators, including two members of the majority party and two members of
the minority party, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on
Rules and Administration of the senate;
(2) four members of the house of representatives, including two members of the
majority party, appointed by the speaker of the house, and two members of the minority
party, appointed by the minority leader;new text begin and
new text end
(3) the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce or the
commissioner's designeedeleted text begin ; anddeleted text end new text begin .
new text end
deleted text begin
(4) the attorney general or the attorney general's designee.
deleted text end
(b) The task force shall ensure that representatives of the following have the
opportunity to meet with and present views to the task force: new text begin the attorney general; new text end credit
unions; independent community banks; state and federal financial institutions; community
action agencies; faith-based financial counseling agencies; faith-based social justice
organizations; legal services organizations representing low-income persons; nonprofit
organizations providing free tax preparation services as part of the volunteer income tax
assistance program; relevant state and local agencies; University of Minnesota faculty
involved in personal and family financial education; philanthropic organizations that have
as one of their missions combating predatory lending; organizations representing older
Minnesotans; and organizations representing the interests of women, Latinos and Latinas,
African-Americans, Asian-Americans, American Indians, and immigrants.
(a) At a minimum, the task force must identify specific policies,
strategies, and actions todeleted text begin :deleted text end new text begin reduce asset poverty and increase household financial security
by improving opportunities for households to earn, learn, save, invest, and protect
assets through expansion of such asset building opportunities as the Family Assets for
Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) program and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
program.
new text end
deleted text begin
(1) increase opportunities for poor and near-poor families and individuals to acquire
assets and create and build wealth;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(2) expand the utilization of Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM)
or other culturally specific individual development account programs;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(3) reduce or eliminate predatory financial practices in Minnesota through regulatory
actions, legislative enactments, and the development and deployment of alternative,
nonpredatory financial products;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(4) provide incentives or assistance to private sector financial institutions to
offer additional programs and services that provide alternatives to and education about
predatory financial products;
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(5) provide financial literacy information to low-income families and individuals at
the time the recipient has the ability, opportunity, and motivation to receive, understand,
and act on the information provided; and
deleted text end
deleted text begin
(6) identify incentives and mechanisms to increase community engagement in
combating poverty and helping poor and near-poor families and individuals to acquire
assets and create and build wealth.
deleted text end
new text begin
For purposes of this section, "asset poverty" means an individual's or family's
inability to meet fixed financial obligations and other financial requirements of daily living
with existing assets for a three-month period in the event of a disruption in income or
extraordinary economic emergency.
new text end
(b) deleted text begin By June 1, 2012deleted text end new text begin During the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessionsnew text end , the task force
must provide new text begin the legislature withnew text end written recommendations deleted text begin and any draft legislationdeleted text end
necessary to deleted text begin implement the recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over commerce and consumer
protectiondeleted text end new text begin fulfill the duties enumerated in paragraph (a)new text end . new text begin The recommendations may
include draft legislation.
new text end
(a) The director of the Legislative
Coordinating Commission, or a designee of the director, must convene the initial meeting
of the task force by September 15, 2010. The members of the task force must elect a chair
or cochairs from the legislative members at the initial meeting.
(b) Members of the task force serve without compensation or payment of expenses
except as provided in this paragraph. To the extent possible, meetings of the task force
shall be scheduled on dates when legislative members of the task force are able to
attend legislative meetings that would make them eligible to receive legislative per diem
payments.
(c) The task force expires June 1, deleted text begin 2012, or upon the submission of the report required
under subdivision 3, whichever is earlierdeleted text end new text begin 2014new text end .
(d) The task force may accept gifts and grants, which are accepted on behalf of the
state and constitute donations to the state. The funds must be deposited in an account in
the special revenue fund and are appropriated to the Legislative Coordinating Commission
for purposes of the task force.
(e) The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide fiscal services to the
task force as needed under this subdivision.
The appointments and
designations authorized under this section must be completed no later than August 15,
deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2012new text end .
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9, article 10, section 3, subdivision
1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
|
$ |
6,259,280,000 |
$ |
6,212,085,000 |
Appropriations by Fund |
||
2012 |
2013 |
|
General |
5,657,737,000 |
5,584,471,000 |
State Government Special Revenue |
3,565,000 |
3,565,000 |
Health Care Access |
330,435,000 |
353,283,000 |
Federal TANF |
265,378,000 |
268,101,000 |
Lottery Prize |
1,665,000 |
1,665,000 |
Special Revenue |
500,000 |
1,000,000 |
Receipts for Systems Projects.
Appropriations and federal receipts for
information systems projects for MAXIS,
PRISM, MMIS, and SSIS must be deposited
in the state systems account authorized in
Minnesota Statutes, section 256.014. Money
appropriated for computer projects approved
by the Minnesota Office of Enterprise
Technology, funded by the legislature,
and approved by the commissioner
of management and budget, may be
transferred from one project to another
and from development to operations as the
commissioner of human services considers
necessary. Any unexpended balance in
the appropriation for these projects does
not cancel but is available for ongoing
development and operations.
Nonfederal Share Transfers. The
nonfederal share of activities for which
federal administrative reimbursement is
appropriated to the commissioner may be
transferred to the special revenue fund.
TANF Maintenance of Effort.
(a) In order to meet the basic maintenance
of effort (MOE) requirements of the TANF
block grant specified under Code of Federal
Regulations, title 45, section 263.1, the
commissioner may only report nonfederal
money expended for allowable activities
listed in the following clauses as TANF/MOE
expenditures:
(1) MFIP cash, diversionary work program,
and food assistance benefits under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 256J;
(2) the child care assistance programs
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 119B.03
and 119B.05, and county child care
administrative costs under Minnesota
Statutes, section 119B.15;
(3) state and county MFIP administrative
costs under Minnesota Statutes, chapters
256J and 256K;
(4) state, county, and tribal MFIP
employment services under Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 256J and 256K;
(5) expenditures made on behalf of legal
noncitizen MFIP recipients who qualify for
the MinnesotaCare program under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 256L;
(6) qualifying working family credit
expenditures under Minnesota Statutes,
section 290.0671; and
(7) qualifying Minnesota education credit
expenditures under Minnesota Statutes,
section 290.0674.
(b) The commissioner shall ensure that
sufficient qualified nonfederal expenditures
are made each year to meet the state's
TANF/MOE requirements. For the activities
listed in paragraph (a), clauses (2) to
(7), the commissioner may only report
expenditures that are excluded from the
definition of assistance under Code of
Federal Regulations, title 45, section 260.31.
(c) For fiscal years beginning with state fiscal
year 2003, the commissioner shall assure
that the maintenance of effort used by the
commissioner of management and budget
for the February and November forecasts
required under Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.103, contains expenditures under
paragraph (a), clause (1), equal to at least 16
percent of the total required under Code of
Federal Regulations, title 45, section 263.1.
(d) Minnesota Statutes, section 256.011,
subdivision 3, which requires that federal
grants or aids secured or obtained under that
subdivision be used to reduce any direct
appropriations provided by law, do not apply
if the grants or aids are federal TANF funds.
(e) For the federal fiscal years beginning on
or after October 1, 2007, the commissioner
may not claim an amount of TANF/MOE in
excess of the 75 percent standard in Code
of Federal Regulations, title 45, section
263.1(a)(2), except:
(1) to the extent necessary to meet the 80
percent standard under Code of Federal
Regulations, title 45, section 263.1(a)(1),
if it is determined by the commissioner
that the state will not meet the TANF work
participation target rate for the current year;
(2) to provide any additional amounts
under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45,
section 264.5, that relate to replacement of
TANF funds due to the operation of TANF
penalties; and
(3) to provide any additional amounts that
may contribute to avoiding or reducing
TANF work participation penalties through
the operation of the excess MOE provisions
of Code of Federal Regulations, title 45,
section 261.43 (a)(2).
For the purposes of clauses (1) to (3),
the commissioner may supplement the
MOE claim with working family credit
expenditures or other qualified expenditures
to the extent such expenditures are otherwise
available after considering the expenditures
allowed in this subdivision.
(f) Notwithstanding any contrary provision
in this article, paragraphs (a) to (e) expire
June 30, 2015.
Working Family Credit Expenditures
as TANF/MOE. The commissioner may
claim as TANF maintenance of effort up to
$6,707,000 per year of working family credit
expenditures for fiscal years 2012 and 2013.
Working Family Credit Expenditures
to be Claimed for TANF/MOE. The
commissioner may count the following
amounts of working family credit
expenditures as TANF/MOE:
(1) fiscal year 2012, $23,692,000;
(2) fiscal year 2013, deleted text begin $44,969,000deleted text end new text begin
$51,978,000new text end ;
(3) fiscal year 2014, deleted text begin $32,579,000deleted text end new text begin
$43,576,000new text end ; and
(4) fiscal year 2015, deleted text begin $32,476,000deleted text end new text begin
$43,548,000new text end .
Notwithstanding any contrary provision in
this article, this rider expires June 30, 2015.
TANF Transfer to Federal Child Care
and Development Fund. (a) The following
TANF fund amounts are appropriated
to the commissioner for purposes of
MFIP/Transition Year Child Care Assistance
under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.05:
(1) fiscal year 2012, $10,020,000;
(2) fiscal year 2013, deleted text begin $28,020,000deleted text end new text begin
$28,022,000new text end ;
(3) fiscal year 2014, deleted text begin $14,020,000deleted text end new text begin
$14,030,000new text end ; and
(4) fiscal year 2015, deleted text begin $14,020,000deleted text end new text begin
$14,030,000new text end .
(b) The commissioner shall authorize the
transfer of sufficient TANF funds to the
federal child care and development fund to
meet this appropriation and shall ensure that
all transferred funds are expended according
to federal child care and development fund
regulations.
Food Stamps Employment and Training
Funds. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, sections 256D.051, subdivisions 1a,
6b, and 6c, and 256J.626, federal food stamps
employment and training funds received
as reimbursement for child care assistance
program expenditures must be deposited in
the general fund. The amount of funds must
be limited to $500,000 per year in fiscal
years 2012 through 2015, contingent upon
approval by the federal Food and Nutrition
Service.
(b) Consistent with the receipt of these
federal funds, the commissioner may
adjust the level of working family credit
expenditures claimed as TANF maintenance
of effort. Notwithstanding any contrary
provision in this article, this rider expires
June 30, 2015.
ARRA Food Support Benefit Increases.
The funds provided for food support benefit
increases under the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program provisions of the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) of 2009 must be used for benefit
increases beginning July 1, 2009.
Supplemental Security Interim Assistance
Reimbursement Funds. $2,800,000 of
uncommitted revenue available to the
commissioner of human services for SSI
advocacy and outreach services must be
transferred to and deposited into the general
fund by October 1, 2011.
new text begin
The Minnesota visible child work group is established to
identify and recommend issues that should be addressed in a statewide, comprehensive
plan to improve the well-being of children who are homeless or have experienced
homelessness.
new text end
new text begin
The members of the Minnesota visible child work group
include: (1) two members of the Minnesota house of representatives appointed by
the speaker of the house, one member from the majority party and one member from
the minority party; (2) two members of the Minnesota senate appointed by the senate
Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, one
member from the majority party and one member from the minority party; (3) three
representatives from family shelter, transitional housing, and supportive housing providers
appointed by the governor; (4) two individuals appointed by the governor who have
experienced homelessness; (5) three housing and child advocates appointed by the
governor; (6) three representatives from the business or philanthropic community; and (7)
children's cabinet members, or their designees. Work group membership should include
people from rural, suburban, and urban areas of the state.
new text end
new text begin
The work group shall: (1) recommend goals and objectives for a
comprehensive, statewide plan to improve the well-being of children who are homeless or
who have experienced homelessness; (2) recommend a definition of "child well-being";
(3) identify evidence-based interventions and best practices improving the well-being
of young children; (4) plan implementation timelines and ways to measure progress,
including measures of child well-being from birth through adolescence; (5) identify ways
to address issues of collaboration and coordination across systems, including education,
health, human services, and housing; (6) recommend the type of data and information
necessary to develop, effectively implement, and monitor a strategic plan; (7) examine and
make recommendations regarding funding to implement an effective plan; and (8) provide
recommendations for ongoing reports on the well-being of children, monitoring progress
in implementing the statewide comprehensive plan, and any other issues determined to be
relevant to achieving the goals of this section.
new text end
new text begin
The work group must be
organized, scheduled, and facilitated by the staff of a nonprofit child advocacy, outreach,
research, and youth development organization focusing on a wide range of issues
affecting children who are vulnerable, and a nonprofit organization working to provide
safe, affordable, and sustainable homes for children and families in the seven-county
metropolitan area through partnerships with the public and private sector. These two
organizations will also be responsible for preparing and submitting the work group's
recommendations.
new text end
new text begin
The work group shall make recommendations under subdivision
3 to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education, housing, health, and
human services policy and finance by December 15, 2012. The recommendations must
also be submitted to the children's cabinet to provide the foundation for a statewide
visible child plan.
new text end
new text begin
The Minnesota visible child work group expires on June
30, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of human services, in consultation with county human
services representatives, shall analyze the differences in asset limit requirements across
human services assistance programs, including group residential housing, Minnesota
supplemental aid, general assistance, Minnesota family investment program, diversionary
work program, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, state food
assistance programs, and child care programs. The goal of the analysis is to establish a
consistent asset limit across human services programs and minimize the administrative
burdens on counties in implementing asset tests. The commissioner shall report its
findings and conclusions to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and
human services policy and finance by January 15, 2013, and include draft legislation
establishing a uniform asset limit for human services assistance programs.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioner of
public safety, shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over health and human services policy and finance regarding
the implementation of Minnesota Statutes, section 256.01, subdivisions 18c, 18d, and 18e,
the number of persons affected, and fiscal impact by program by December 1, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2013.
new text end
new text begin
The revisor of statutes shall change the term "assistance transaction card" or
similar terms to "electronic benefit transaction" or similar terms wherever they appear in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256. The revisor may make changes necessary to correct the
punctuation, grammar, or structure of the remaining text and preserve its meaning.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 62J.496, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
(a) "Eligible borrower" means one of the following:
(1) federally qualified health centers;
(2) community clinics, as defined under section 145.9268;
(3) nonprofit or local unit of government hospitals licensed under sections 144.50
to 144.56;
(4) individual or small group physician practices that are focused primarily on
primary care;
(5) nursing facilities licensed under sections 144A.01 to 144A.27;
(6) local public health departments as defined in chapter 145A; and
(7) other providers of health or health care services approved by the commissioner
for which interoperable electronic health record capability would improve quality of
care, patient safety, or community health.
(b) The commissioner shall administer the loan fund to prioritize support and
assistance to:
(1) critical access hospitals;
(2) federally qualified health centers;
(3) entities that serve uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved
individuals, regardless of whether such area is urban or rural; deleted text begin and
deleted text end
(4) individual or small group practices that are primarily focused on primary caredeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end
new text begin
(5) nursing facilities certified to participate in the medical assistance program; and
new text end
new text begin
(6) providers enrolled in the elderly waiver program of customized living or 24-hour
customized living of the medical assistance program, if at least half of their annual
operating revenue is paid under the medical assistance program.
new text end
(c) An eligible applicant must submit a loan application to the commissioner of
health on forms prescribed by the commissioner. The application must include, at a
minimum:
(1) the amount of the loan requested and a description of the purpose or project
for which the loan proceeds will be used;
(2) a quote from a vendor;
(3) a description of the health care entities and other groups participating in the
project;
(4) evidence of financial stability and a demonstrated ability to repay the loan; and
(5) a description of how the system to be financed interoperates or plans in the
future to interoperate with other health care entities and provider groups located in the
same geographical area;
(6) a plan on how the certified electronic health record technology will be maintained
and supported over time; and
(7) any other requirements for applications included or developed pursuant to
section 3014 of the HITECH Act.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 144A.073, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
In fiscal year 2013, the commissioner
of health may approve moratorium exception projects under this section for which the full
annualized state share of medical assistance costs does not exceed $1,000,000.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 144A.351, is amended to read:
The commissioners of health and human services, with the cooperation of counties
and new text begin in consultation with stakeholders, including persons who need or are using long-term
care services and supports, lead agencies,new text end regional entities,new text begin senior, disability, and mental
health organization representatives, service providers, and community membersnew text end shall
prepare a report to the legislature by August 15, deleted text begin 2004deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , and biennially thereafter,
regarding the status of the full range of long-term care servicesnew text begin and supportsnew text end for the
elderlynew text begin and children and adults with disabilities and mental illnessesnew text end in Minnesota. The
report shall address:
(1) demographics and need for long-term carenew text begin services and supportsnew text end in Minnesota;
(2) summary of county and regional reports on long-term care gaps, surpluses,
imbalances, and corrective action plans;
(3) status of long-term care services new text begin and mental illnesses, housing options, and
supportsnew text end by county and region including:
(i) changes in availability of the range of long-term care services and housing
options;
(ii) access problemsnew text begin , including access to the least restrictive and most integrated
services and settings,new text end regarding long-term carenew text begin servicesnew text end ; and
(iii) comparative measures of long-term carenew text begin servicesnew text end availabilitynew text begin , including serving
people in their home areas near family,new text end and deleted text begin progressdeleted text end new text begin changesnew text end over time; and
(4) recommendations regarding goals for the future of long-term care servicesnew text begin and
supportsnew text end , policynew text begin and fiscalnew text end changes, and resource new text begin development and transitionnew text end needs.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 144D.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
A housing with services contract, which need not be
entitled as such to comply with this section, shall include at least the following elements
in itself or through supporting documents or attachments:
(1) the name, street address, and mailing address of the establishment;
(2) the name and mailing address of the owner or owners of the establishment and, if
the owner or owners is not a natural person, identification of the type of business entity
of the owner or owners;
(3) the name and mailing address of the managing agent, through management
agreement or lease agreement, of the establishment, if different from the owner or owners;
(4) the name and address of at least one natural person who is authorized to accept
service of process on behalf of the owner or owners and managing agent;
(5) a statement describing the registration and licensure status of the establishment
and any provider providing health-related or supportive services under an arrangement
with the establishment;
(6) the term of the contract;
(7) a description of the services to be provided to the resident in the base rate to be
paid by resident, including a delineation of the portion of the base rate that constitutes rent
and a delineation of charges for each service included in the base rate;
(8) a description of any additional services, including home care services, available
for an additional fee from the establishment directly or through arrangements with the
establishment, and a schedule of fees charged for these services;
(9) a description of the process through which the contract may be modified,
amended, or terminatednew text begin , including whether a move to a different room or sharing a room
would be required in the event that the tenant can no longer pay the current rentnew text end ;
(10) a description of the establishment's complaint resolution process available
to residents including the toll-free complaint line for the Office of Ombudsman for
Long-Term Care;
(11) the resident's designated representative, if any;
(12) the establishment's referral procedures if the contract is terminated;
(13) requirements of residency used by the establishment to determine who may
reside or continue to reside in the housing with services establishment;
(14) billing and payment procedures and requirements;
(15) a statement regarding the ability of residents to receive services from service
providers with whom the establishment does not have an arrangement;
(16) a statement regarding the availability of public funds for payment for residence
or services in the establishment; and
(17) a statement regarding the availability of and contact information for
long-term care consultation services under section 256B.0911 in the county in which the
establishment is located.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 245A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of human services shall issue a mental health
certification for adult foster care homes licensed under this chapter and Minnesota Rules,
parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265, that serve people with mental illness where the home is not
the primary residence of the license holder when a provider is determined to have met
the requirements under paragraph (b). This certification is voluntary for license holders.
The certification shall be printed on the license, and identified on the commissioner's
public Web site.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The requirements for certification are:
new text end
new text begin
(1) all staff working in the adult foster care home have received at least seven hours
of annual training covering all of the following topics:
new text end
new text begin
(i) mental health diagnoses;
new text end
new text begin
(ii) mental health crisis response and de-escalation techniques;
new text end
new text begin
(iii) recovery from mental illness;
new text end
new text begin
(iv) treatment options including evidence-based practices;
new text end
new text begin
(v) medications and their side effects;
new text end
new text begin
(vi) co-occurring substance abuse and health conditions; and
new text end
new text begin
(vii) community resources;
new text end
new text begin
(2) a mental health professional, as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, or
a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17, are available
for consultation and assistance;
new text end
new text begin
(3) there is a plan and protocol in place to address a mental health crisis; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) each individual's Individual Placement Agreement identifies who is providing
clinical services and their contact information, and includes an individual crisis prevention
and management plan developed with the individual.
new text end
new text begin
(c) License holders seeking certification under this subdivision must request this
certification on forms provided by the commissioner and must submit the request to the
county licensing agency in which the home is located. The county licensing agency must
forward the request to the commissioner with a county recommendation regarding whether
the commissioner should issue the certification.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Ongoing compliance with the certification requirements under paragraph (b)
shall be reviewed by the county licensing agency at each licensing review. When a county
licensing agency determines that the requirements of paragraph (b) are not met, the county
shall inform the commissioner, and the commissioner will remove the certification.
new text end
new text begin
(e) A denial of the certification or the removal of the certification based on a
determination that the requirements under paragraph (b) have not been met by the adult
foster care license holder are not subject to appeal. A license holder that has been denied a
certification or that has had a certification removed may again request certification when
the license holder is in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b).
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 245A.03, subdivision 7, is
amended to read:
(a) The commissioner shall not issue an
initial license for child foster care licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3000 to
2960.3340, or adult foster care licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to
9555.6265, under this chapter for a physical location that will not be the primary residence
of the license holder for the entire period of licensure. If a license is issued during this
moratorium, and the license holder changes the license holder's primary residence away
from the physical location of the foster care license, the commissioner shall revoke the
license according to section 245A.07. Exceptions to the moratorium include:
(1) foster care settings that are required to be registered under chapter 144D;
(2) foster care licenses replacing foster care licenses in existence on May 15, 2009,
and determined to be needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b);
(3) new foster care licenses determined to be needed by the commissioner under
paragraph (b) for the closure of a nursing facility, ICF/MR, or regional treatment center, or
restructuring of state-operated services that limits the capacity of state-operated facilities;
(4) new foster care licenses determined to be needed by the commissioner under
paragraph (b) for persons requiring hospital level care; or
(5) new foster care licenses determined to be needed by the commissioner for the
transition of people from personal care assistance to the home and community-based
services.
(b) The commissioner shall determine the need for newly licensed foster care homes
as defined under this subdivision. As part of the determination, the commissioner shall
consider the availability of foster care capacity in the area in which the licensee seeks to
operate, and the recommendation of the local county board. The determination by the
commissioner must be final. A determination of need is not required for a change in
ownership at the same address.
(c) Residential settings that would otherwise be subject to the moratorium established
in paragraph (a), that are in the process of receiving an adult or child foster care license as
of July 1, 2009, shall be allowed to continue to complete the process of receiving an adult
or child foster care license. For this paragraph, all of the following conditions must be met
to be considered in the process of receiving an adult or child foster care license:
(1) participants have made decisions to move into the residential setting, including
documentation in each participant's care plan;
(2) the provider has purchased housing or has made a financial investment in the
property;
(3) the lead agency has approved the plans, including costs for the residential setting
for each individual;
(4) the completion of the licensing process, including all necessary inspections, is
the only remaining component prior to being able to provide services; and
(5) the needs of the individuals cannot be met within the existing capacity in that
county.
To qualify for the process under this paragraph, the lead agency must submit
documentation to the commissioner by August 1, 2009, that all of the above criteria are
met.
(d) The commissioner shall study the effects of the license moratorium under this
subdivision and shall report back to the legislature by January 15, 2011. This study shall
include, but is not limited to the following:
(1) the overall capacity and utilization of foster care beds where the physical location
is not the primary residence of the license holder prior to and after implementation
of the moratorium;
(2) the overall capacity and utilization of foster care beds where the physical
location is the primary residence of the license holder prior to and after implementation
of the moratorium; and
(3) the number of licensed and occupied ICF/MR beds prior to and after
implementation of the moratorium.
(e) When a foster care recipient moves out of a foster home that is not the primary
residence of the license holder according to section 256B.49, subdivision 15, paragraph
(f), the county shall immediately inform the Department of Human Services Licensing
Divisiondeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end The department shall deleted text begin immediatelydeleted text end decrease the new text begin statewide new text end licensed
capacity for deleted text begin the homedeleted text end new text begin foster care settings where the physical location is not the primary
residence of the license holder, if the voluntary changes described in paragraph (g) are
not sufficient to meet the savings required by reductions in licensed bed capacity under
Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 9, article 7, sections 1 and 40, paragraph (f),
and maintain statewide long-term care residential services capacity within budgetary
limits. Implementation of the statewide licensed capacity reduction shall begin on July 1,
2013. The commissioner shall delicense up to 128 beds by June 30, 2014, using the needs
determination process. Under this paragraph, the commissioner has the authority to reduce
unused licensed capacity of a current foster care program to accomplish the consolidation
or closure of settingsnew text end . A decreased licensed capacity according to this paragraph is not
subject to appeal under this chapter.
new text begin
(f) Residential settings that would otherwise be subject to the decreased license
capacity established in paragraph (e) shall be exempt under the following circumstances:
new text end
new text begin
(1) until August 1, 2013, the license holder's beds occupied by residents whose
primary diagnosis is mental illness and the license holder is:
new text end
new text begin
(i) a provider of assertive community treatment (ACT) or adult rehabilitative mental
health services (ARMHS) as defined in section 256B.0623;
new text end
new text begin
(ii) a mental health center certified under Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0750 to
9520.0870;
new text end
new text begin
(iii) a mental health clinic certified under Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0750 to
9520.0870; or
new text end
new text begin
(iv) a provider of intensive residential treatment services (IRTS) licensed under
Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0500 to 9520.0670; or
new text end
new text begin
(2) the license holder is certified under the requirements in subdivision 6a.
new text end
new text begin
(g) A resource need determination process, managed at the state level, using the
available reports required by section 144A.351, and other data and information shall
be used to determine where the reduced capacity required under paragraph (e) will be
implemented. The commissioner shall consult with the stakeholders described in section
144A.351, and employ a variety of methods to improve the state's capacity to meet
long-term care service needs within budgetary limits, including seeking proposals from
service providers or lead agencies to change service type, capacity, or location to improve
services, increase the independence of residents, and better meet needs identified by the
long-term care services reports and statewide data and information. By February 1 of each
year, the commissioner shall provide information and data on the overall capacity of
licensed long-term care services, actions taken under this subdivision to manage statewide
long-term care services and supports resources, and any recommendations for change to
the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human services budget.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 245A.11, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
(a) The commissioner shall issue
adult foster care licenses with a maximum licensed capacity of four beds, including
nonstaff roomers and boarders, except that the commissioner may issue a license with a
capacity of five beds, including roomers and boarders, according to paragraphs (b) to (f).
(b) An adult foster care license holder may have a maximum license capacity of five
if all persons in care are age 55 or over and do not have a serious and persistent mental
illness or a developmental disability.
(c) The commissioner may grant variances to paragraph (b) to allow a foster care
provider with a licensed capacity of five persons to admit an individual under the age of 55
if the variance complies with section 245A.04, subdivision 9, and approval of the variance
is recommended by the county in which the licensed foster care provider is located.
(d) The commissioner may grant variances to paragraph (b) to allow the use of a fifth
bed for emergency crisis services for a person with serious and persistent mental illness
or a developmental disability, regardless of age, if the variance complies with section
245A.04, subdivision 9, and approval of the variance is recommended by the county in
which the licensed foster care provider is located.
new text begin
(e) The commissioner may grant a variance to paragraph (b) to allow for the
use of a fifth bed for respite services, as defined in section 245A.02, for persons with
disabilities, regardless of age, if the variance complies with section 245A.03, subdivision
7, and section 245A.04, subdivision 9, and approval of the variance is recommended by
the county in which the licensed foster care provider is licensed. Respite care may be
provided under the following conditions:
new text end
new text begin
(1) staffing ratios cannot be reduced below the approved level for the individuals
being served in the home on a permanent basis;
new text end
new text begin
(2) no more than two different individuals can be accepted for respite services in
any calendar month and the total respite days may not exceed 120 days per program in
any calendar year;
new text end
new text begin
(3) the person receiving respite services must have his or her own bedroom, which
could be used for alternative purposes when not used as a respite bedroom, and cannot be
the room of another person who lives in the foster care home; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) individuals living in the foster care home must be notified when the variance
is approved. The provider must give 60 days' notice in writing to the residents and their
legal representatives prior to accepting the first respite placement. Notice must be given to
residents at least two days prior to service initiation, or as soon as the license holder is
able if they receive notice of the need for respite less than two days prior to initiation,
each time a respite client will be served, unless the requirement for this notice is waived
by the resident or legal guardian.
new text end
deleted text begin (e) If the 2009 legislature adopts a rate reduction that impacts providers of adult
foster care services,deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end The commissioner may issue an adult foster care license with a
capacity of five adults if the fifth bed does not increase the overall statewide capacity of
licensed adult foster care beds in homes that are not the primary residence of the license
holder, deleted text begin over the licensed capacity in such homes on July 1, 2009,deleted text end as identified in a plan
submitted to the commissioner by the county, when the capacity is recommended by
the county licensing agency of the county in which the facility is located and if the
recommendation verifies that:
(1) the facility meets the physical environment requirements in the adult foster
care licensing rule;
(2) the five-bed living arrangement is specified for each resident in the resident's:
(i) individualized plan of care;
(ii) individual service plan under section 256B.092, subdivision 1b, if required; or
(iii) individual resident placement agreement under Minnesota Rules, part
9555.5105, subpart 19, if required;
(3) the license holder obtains written and signed informed consent from each
resident or resident's legal representative documenting the resident's informed choice
tonew text begin remainnew text end living in the home and that the resident's refusal to consent would not have
resulted in service termination; and
(4) the facility was licensed for adult foster care before March 1, deleted text begin 2009deleted text end new text begin 2011new text end .
deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end The commissioner shall not issue a new adult foster care license under
paragraph deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end after June 30, deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2016new text end . The commissioner shall allow a facility with
an adult foster care license issued under paragraph deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end before June 30, deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2016new text end , to
continue with a capacity of five adults if the license holder continues to comply with the
requirements in paragraph deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end .
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 245A.11, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
(a) The
commissioner may grant a variance under section 245A.04, subdivision 9, to rule parts
requiring a caregiver to be present in an adult foster care home during normal sleeping
hours to allow for alternative methods of overnight supervision. The commissioner may
grant the variance if the local county licensing agency recommends the variance and the
county recommendation includes documentation verifying that:
(1) the county has approved the license holder's plan for alternative methods of
providing overnight supervision and determined the plan protects the residents' health,
safety, and rights;
(2) the license holder has obtained written and signed informed consent from
each resident or each resident's legal representative documenting the resident's or legal
representative's agreement with the alternative method of overnight supervision; and
(3) the alternative method of providing overnight supervision, which may include
the use of technology, is specified for each resident in the resident's: (i) individualized
plan of care; (ii) individual service plan under section 256B.092, subdivision 1b, if
required; or (iii) individual resident placement agreement under Minnesota Rules, part
9555.5105, subpart 19, if required.
(b) To be eligible for a variance under paragraph (a), the adult foster care license
holder must not have had a deleted text begin licensing actiondeleted text end new text begin conditional license issuednew text end under section
245A.06new text begin ,new text end ornew text begin any other licensing sanction issued under sectionnew text end 245A.07 during the prior 24
months based on failure to provide adequate supervision, health care services, or resident
safety in the adult foster care home.
(c) A license holder requesting a variance under this subdivision to utilize
technology as a component of a plan for alternative overnight supervision may request
the commissioner's review in the absence of a county recommendation. Upon receipt of
such a request from a license holder, the commissioner shall review the variance request
with the county.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 245A.11, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:
(a) The commissioner may grant an applicant or license holder an adult foster care license
for a residence that does not have a caregiver in the residence during normal sleeping
hours as required under Minnesota Rules, part 9555.5105, subpart 37, item B, but uses
monitoring technology to alert the license holder when an incident occurs that may
jeopardize the health, safety, or rights of a foster care recipient. The applicant or license
holder must comply with all other requirements under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105
to 9555.6265, and the requirements under this subdivision. The license printed by the
commissioner must state in bold and large font:
(1) that the facility is under electronic monitoring; and
(2) the telephone number of the county's common entry point for making reports of
suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults under section 626.557, subdivision 9.
(b) Applications for a license under this section must be submitted directly to
the Department of Human Services licensing division. The licensing division must
immediately notify the host county and lead county contract agency and the host county
licensing agency. The licensing division must collaborate with the county licensing
agency in the review of the application and the licensing of the program.
(c) Before a license is issued by the commissioner, and for the duration of the
license, the applicant or license holder must establish, maintain, and document the
implementation of written policies and procedures addressing the requirements in
paragraphs (d) through (f).
(d) The applicant or license holder must have policies and procedures that:
(1) establish characteristics of target populations that will be admitted into the home,
and characteristics of populations that will not be accepted into the home;
(2) explain the discharge process when a foster care recipient requires overnight
supervision or other services that cannot be provided by the license holder due to the
limited hours that the license holder is on site;
(3) describe the types of events to which the program will respond with a physical
presence when those events occur in the home during time when staff are not on site, and
how the license holder's response plan meets the requirements in paragraph (e), clause
(1) or (2);
(4) establish a process for documenting a review of the implementation and
effectiveness of the response protocol for the response required under paragraph (e),
clause (1) or (2). The documentation must include:
(i) a description of the triggering incident;
(ii) the date and time of the triggering incident;
(iii) the time of the response or responses under paragraph (e), clause (1) or (2);
(iv) whether the response met the resident's needs;
(v) whether the existing policies and response protocols were followed; and
(vi) whether the existing policies and protocols are adequate or need modification.
When no physical presence response is completed for a three-month period, the
license holder's written policies and procedures must require a physical presence response
drill to be conducted for which the effectiveness of the response protocol under paragraph
(e), clause (1) or (2), will be reviewed and documented as required under this clause; and
(5) establish that emergency and nonemergency phone numbers are posted in a
prominent location in a common area of the home where they can be easily observed by a
person responding to an incident who is not otherwise affiliated with the home.
(e) The license holder must document and include in the license application which
response alternative under clause (1) or (2) is in place for responding to situations that
present a serious risk to the health, safety, or rights of people receiving foster care services
in the home:
(1) response alternative (1) requires only the technology to provide an electronic
notification or alert to the license holder that an event is underway that requires a response.
Under this alternative, no more than ten minutes will pass before the license holder will be
physically present on site to respond to the situation; or
(2) response alternative (2) requires the electronic notification and alert system
under alternative (1), but more than ten minutes may pass before the license holder is
present on site to respond to the situation. Under alternative (2), all of the following
conditions are met:
(i) the license holder has a written description of the interactive technological
applications that will assist the license holder in communicating with and assessing the
needs related to the care, health, and safety of the foster care recipients. This interactive
technology must permit the license holder to remotely assess the well being of the foster
care recipient without requiring the initiation of the foster care recipient. Requiring the
foster care recipient to initiate a telephone call does not meet this requirement;
(ii) the license holder documents how the remote license holder is qualified and
capable of meeting the needs of the foster care recipients and assessing foster care
recipients' needs under item (i) during the absence of the license holder on site;
(iii) the license holder maintains written procedures to dispatch emergency response
personnel to the site in the event of an identified emergency; and
(iv) each foster care recipient's individualized plan of care, individual service plan
under section 256B.092, subdivision 1b, if required, or individual resident placement
agreement under Minnesota Rules, part 9555.5105, subpart 19, if required, identifies the
maximum response time, which may be greater than ten minutes, for the license holder
to be on site for that foster care recipient.
(f) deleted text begin Alldeleted text end new text begin Each foster care recipient'snew text end placement deleted text begin agreementsdeleted text end new text begin agreementnew text end , individual
service deleted text begin agreements, and plans applicable to the foster care recipientdeleted text end new text begin agreement, and plan
new text end must clearly state that the adult foster care license category is a program without the
presence of a caregiver in the residence during normal sleeping hours; the protocols in
place for responding to situations that present a serious risk to the health, safety, or rights
of foster care recipients under paragraph (e), clause (1) or (2); and a signed informed
consent from each foster care recipient or the person's legal representative documenting
the person's or legal representative's agreement with placement in the program. If
electronic monitoring technology is used in the home, the informed consent form must
also explain the following:
(1) how any electronic monitoring is incorporated into the alternative supervision
system;
(2) the backup system for any electronic monitoring in times of electrical outages or
other equipment malfunctions;
(3) how the deleted text begin license holder isdeleted text end new text begin caregivers arenew text end trained on the use of the technology;
(4) the event types and license holder response times established under paragraph (e);
(5) how the license holder protects the foster care recipient's privacy related to
electronic monitoring and related to any electronically recorded data generated by the
monitoring system. A foster care recipient may not be removed from a program under
this subdivision for failure to consent to electronic monitoring. The consent form must
explain where and how the electronically recorded data is stored, with whom it will be
shared, and how long it is retained; and
(6) the risks and benefits of the alternative overnight supervision system.
The written explanations under clauses (1) to (6) may be accomplished through
cross-references to other policies and procedures as long as they are explained to the
person giving consent, and the person giving consent is offered a copy.
(g) Nothing in this section requires the applicant or license holder to develop or
maintain separate or duplicative policies, procedures, documentation, consent forms, or
individual plans that may be required for other licensing standards, if the requirements of
this section are incorporated into those documents.
(h) The commissioner may grant variances to the requirements of this section
according to section 245A.04, subdivision 9.
(i) For the purposes of paragraphs (d) through (h), "license holder" has the meaning
under section 245A.2, subdivision 9, and additionally includes all staff, volunteers, and
contractors affiliated with the license holder.
(j) For the purposes of paragraph (e), the terms "assess" and "assessing" mean to
remotely determine what action the license holder needs to take to protect the well-being
of the foster care recipient.
new text begin
(k) The commissioner shall evaluate license applications using the requirements
in paragraphs (d) to (f). The commissioner shall provide detailed application forms,
including a checklist of criteria needed for approval.
new text end
new text begin
(l) To be eligible for a license under paragraph (a), the adult foster care license holder
must not have had a conditional license issued under section 245A.06 or any licensing
sanction under section 245A.07 during the prior 24 months based on failure to provide
adequate supervision, health care services, or resident safety in the adult foster care home.
new text end
new text begin
(m) The commissioner shall review an application for an alternative overnight
supervision license within 60 days of receipt of the application. When the commissioner
receives an application that is incomplete because the applicant failed to submit required
documents or that is substantially deficient because the documents submitted do not meet
licensing requirements, the commissioner shall provide the applicant written notice
that the application is incomplete or substantially deficient. In the written notice to the
applicant, the commissioner shall identify documents that are missing or deficient and
give the applicant 45 days to resubmit a second application that is substantially complete.
An applicant's failure to submit a substantially complete application after receiving
notice from the commissioner is a basis for license denial under section 245A.05. The
commissioner shall complete subsequent review within 30 days.
new text end
new text begin
(n) Once the application is considered complete under paragraph (m), the
commissioner will approve or deny an application for an alternative overnight supervision
license within 60 days.
new text end
new text begin
(o) For the purposes of this subdivision, "supervision" means:
new text end
new text begin
(1) oversight by a caregiver as specified in the individual resident's place agreement
and awareness of the resident's needs and activities; and
new text end
new text begin
(2) the presence of a caregiver in a residence during normal sleeping hours, unless a
determination has been made and documented in the individual's support plan that the
individual does not require the presence of a caregiver during normal sleeping hours.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 245B.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
The license holder must maintain the following
information for each consumer:
(1) identifying information that includes date of birth, medications, legal
representative, history, medical, and other individual-specific information, and names and
telephone numbers of contacts;
(2) consumer health information, including individual medication administration
and monitoring information;
(3) the consumer's individual service plan. When a consumer's case manager does
not provide a current individual service plan, the license holder shall make a written
request to the case manager to provide a copy of the individual service plan and inform
the consumer or the consumer's legal representative of the right to an individual service
plan and the right to appeal under section 256.045new text begin . In the event the case manager fails
to provide an individual service plan after a written request from the license holder, the
license holder shall not be sanctioned or penalized financially for not having a current
individual service plan in the consumer's data filenew text end ;
(4) copies of assessments, analyses, summaries, and recommendations;
(5) progress review reports;
(6) incidents involving the consumer;
(7) reports required under section 245B.05, subdivision 7;
(8) discharge summary, when applicable;
(9) record of other license holders serving the consumer that includes a contact
person and telephone numbers, services being provided, services that require coordination
between two license holders, and name of staff responsible for coordination;
(10) information about verbal aggression directed at the consumer by another
consumer; and
(11) information about self-abuse.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 245C.04, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
(a) Providers required to initiate background
studies under section 256B.4912 must initiate a study before the individual begins in a
position allowing direct contact with persons served by the provider.
(b) deleted text begin The commissioner shall conductdeleted text end new text begin Except as provided in paragraph (c), the
providers must initiatenew text end a background study annually of an individual required to be studied
under section 245C.03, subdivision 6.
new text begin
(c) After an initial background study under this subdivision is initiated on an
individual by a provider of both services licensed by the commissioner and the unlicensed
services under this subdivision, a repeat annual background study is not required if:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the provider maintains compliance with the requirements of section 245C.07,
paragraph (a), regarding one individual with one address and telephone number as the
person to receive sensitive background study information for the multiple programs that
depend on the same background study, and that the individual who is designated to receive
the sensitive background information is capable of determining, upon the request of the
commissioner, whether a background study subject is providing direct contact services
in one or more of the provider's programs or services and, if so, at which location or
locations; and
new text end
new text begin
(2) the individual who is the subject of the background study provides direct
contact services under the provider's licensed program for at least 40 hours per year so
the individual will be recognized by a probation officer or corrections agent to prompt
a report to the commissioner regarding criminal convictions as required under section
245C.05, subdivision 7.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 245C.05, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
(a) A probation officer or
corrections agent shall notify the commissioner of an individual's conviction if the
individual deleted text begin isdeleted text end :
(1) new text begin has been new text end affiliated with a program or facility regulated by the Department of
Human Services or Department of Health, a facility serving children or youth licensed by
the Department of Corrections, or any type of home care agency or provider of personal
care assistance servicesnew text begin within the preceding yearnew text end ; and
(2) new text begin has been new text end convicted of a crime constituting a disqualification under section
245C.14.
(b) For the purpose of this subdivision, "conviction" has the meaning given it
in section 609.02, subdivision 5.
(c) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of corrections, shall
develop forms and information necessary to implement this subdivision and shall provide
the forms and information to the commissioner of corrections for distribution to local
probation officers and corrections agents.
(d) The commissioner shall inform individuals subject to a background study that
criminal convictions for disqualifying crimes will be reported to the commissioner by the
corrections system.
(e) A probation officer, corrections agent, or corrections agency is not civilly or
criminally liable for disclosing or failing to disclose the information required by this
subdivision.
(f) Upon receipt of disqualifying information, the commissioner shall provide the
notice required under section 245C.17, as appropriate, to agencies on record as having
initiated a background study or making a request for documentation of the background
study status of the individual.
(g) This subdivision does not apply to family child care programs.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 252.27, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
(a) The natural or adoptive parents of a minor
child, including a child determined eligible for medical assistance without consideration of
parental income, must contribute to the cost of services used by making monthly payments
on a sliding scale based on income, unless the child is married or has been married,
parental rights have been terminated, or the child's adoption is subsidized according to
section 259.67 or through title IV-E of the Social Security Act. The parental contribution
is a partial or full payment for medical services provided for diagnostic, therapeutic,
curing, treating, mitigating, rehabilitation, maintenance, and personal care services as
defined in United States Code, title 26, section 213, needed by the child with a chronic
illness or disability.
(b) For households with adjusted gross income equal to or greater than 100 percent
of federal poverty guidelines, the parental contribution shall be computed by applying the
following schedule of rates to the adjusted gross income of the natural or adoptive parents:
(1) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 100 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution is $4 per month;
(2) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 175 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than or equal to 545 percent of federal poverty guidelines,
the parental contribution shall be determined using a sliding fee scale established by the
commissioner of human services which begins at one percent of adjusted gross income
at 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines and increases to 7.5 percent of adjusted
gross income for those with adjusted gross income up to 545 percent of federal poverty
guidelines;
(3) if the adjusted gross income is greater than 545 percent of federal poverty
guidelines and less than 675 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution shall be 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income;
(4) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 675 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than 975 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution shall be determined using a sliding fee scale established by the commissioner
of human services which begins at 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income at 675 percent of
federal poverty guidelines and increases to ten percent of adjusted gross income for those
with adjusted gross income up to 975 percent of federal poverty guidelines; and
(5) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 975 percent of federal
poverty guidelines, the parental contribution shall be 12.5 percent of adjusted gross
income.
If the child lives with the parent, the annual adjusted gross income is reduced by
$2,400 prior to calculating the parental contribution. If the child resides in an institution
specified in section 256B.35, the parent is responsible for the personal needs allowance
specified under that section in addition to the parental contribution determined under this
section. The parental contribution is reduced by any amount required to be paid directly to
the child pursuant to a court order, but only if actually paid.
(c) The household size to be used in determining the amount of contribution under
paragraph (b) includes natural and adoptive parents and their dependents, including the
child receiving services. Adjustments in the contribution amount due to annual changes
in the federal poverty guidelines shall be implemented on the first day of July following
publication of the changes.
(d) For purposes of paragraph (b), "income" means the adjusted gross income of the
natural or adoptive parents determined according to the previous year's federal tax form,
except, effective retroactive to July 1, 2003, taxable capital gains to the extent the funds
have been used to purchase a home shall not be counted as income.
(e) The contribution shall be explained in writing to the parents at the time eligibility
for services is being determined. The contribution shall be made on a monthly basis
effective with the first month in which the child receives services. Annually upon
redetermination or at termination of eligibility, if the contribution exceeded the cost of
services provided, the local agency or the state shall reimburse that excess amount to
the parents, either by direct reimbursement if the parent is no longer required to pay a
contribution, or by a reduction in or waiver of parental fees until the excess amount is
exhausted. All reimbursements must include a notice that the amount reimbursed may be
taxable income if the parent paid for the parent's fees through an employer's health care
flexible spending account under the Internal Revenue Code, section 125, and that the
parent is responsible for paying the taxes owed on the amount reimbursed.
(f) The monthly contribution amount must be reviewed at least every 12 months;
when there is a change in household size; and when there is a loss of or gain in income
from one month to another in excess of ten percent. The local agency shall mail a written
notice 30 days in advance of the effective date of a change in the contribution amount.
A decrease in the contribution amount is effective in the month that the parent verifies a
reduction in income or change in household size.
(g) Parents of a minor child who do not live with each other shall each pay the
contribution required under paragraph (a). An amount equal to the annual court-ordered
child support payment actually paid on behalf of the child receiving services shall be
deducted from the adjusted gross income of the parent making the payment prior to
calculating the parental contribution under paragraph (b).
(h) The contribution under paragraph (b) shall be increased by an additional five
percent if the local agency determines that insurance coverage is available but not
obtained for the child. For purposes of this section, "available" means the insurance is a
benefit of employment for a family member at an annual cost of no more than five percent
of the family's annual income. For purposes of this section, "insurance" means health
and accident insurance coverage, enrollment in a nonprofit health service plan, health
maintenance organization, self-insured plan, or preferred provider organization.
Parents who have more than one child receiving services shall not be required
to pay more than the amount for the child with the highest expenditures. There shall
be no resource contribution from the parents. The parent shall not be required to pay
a contribution in excess of the cost of the services provided to the child, not counting
payments made to school districts for education-related services. Notice of an increase in
fee payment must be given at least 30 days before the increased fee is due.
(i) The contribution under paragraph (b) shall be reduced by $300 per fiscal year if,
in the 12 months prior to July 1:
(1) the parent applied for insurance for the child;
(2) the insurer denied insurance;
(3) the parents submitted a complaint or appeal, in writing to the insurer, submitted
a complaint or appeal, in writing, to the commissioner of health or the commissioner of
commerce, or litigated the complaint or appeal; and
(4) as a result of the dispute, the insurer reversed its decision and granted insurance.
For purposes of this section, "insurance" has the meaning given in paragraph (h).
A parent who has requested a reduction in the contribution amount under this
paragraph shall submit proof in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner or
county agency, including, but not limited to, the insurer's denial of insurance, the written
letter or complaint of the parents, court documents, and the written response of the insurer
approving insurance. The determinations of the commissioner or county agency under this
paragraph are not rules subject to chapter 14.
(j) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), for the period from July 1, 2010, to June 30, deleted text begin 2013deleted text end new text begin
2015new text end , the parental contribution shall be computed by applying the following contribution
schedule to the adjusted gross income of the natural or adoptive parents:
(1) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 100 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution is $4 per month;
(2) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 175 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than or equal to 525 percent of federal poverty guidelines,
the parental contribution shall be determined using a sliding fee scale established by the
commissioner of human services which begins at one percent of adjusted gross income
at 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines and increases to eight percent of adjusted
gross income for those with adjusted gross income up to 525 percent of federal poverty
guidelines;
(3) if the adjusted gross income is greater than 525 percent of federal poverty
guidelines and less than 675 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution shall be 9.5 percent of adjusted gross income;
(4) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 675 percent of federal
poverty guidelines and less than 900 percent of federal poverty guidelines, the parental
contribution shall be determined using a sliding fee scale established by the commissioner
of human services which begins at 9.5 percent of adjusted gross income at 675 percent of
federal poverty guidelines and increases to 12 percent of adjusted gross income for those
with adjusted gross income up to 900 percent of federal poverty guidelines; and
(5) if the adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than 900 percent of federal
poverty guidelines, the parental contribution shall be 13.5 percent of adjusted gross
income. If the child lives with the parent, the annual adjusted gross income is reduced by
$2,400 prior to calculating the parental contribution. If the child resides in an institution
specified in section 256B.35, the parent is responsible for the personal needs allowance
specified under that section in addition to the parental contribution determined under this
section. The parental contribution is reduced by any amount required to be paid directly to
the child pursuant to a court order, but only if actually paid.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256.975, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
(a) The Minnesota Board on Aging shall operate a
statewide service to aid older Minnesotans and their families in making informed choices
about long-term care options and health care benefits. Language services to persons with
limited English language skills may be made available. The service, known as Senior
LinkAge Line, must be available during business hours through a statewide toll-free
number and must also be available through the Internet.
(b) The service must provide long-term care options counseling by assisting older
adults, caregivers, and providers in accessing information and options counseling about
choices in long-term care services that are purchased through private providers or available
through public options. The service must:
(1) develop a comprehensive database that includes detailed listings in both
consumer- and provider-oriented formats;
(2) make the database accessible on the Internet and through other telecommunication
and media-related tools;
(3) link callers to interactive long-term care screening tools and make these tools
available through the Internet by integrating the tools with the database;
(4) develop community education materials with a focus on planning for long-term
care and evaluating independent living, housing, and service options;
(5) conduct an outreach campaign to assist older adults and their caregivers in
finding information on the Internet and through other means of communication;
(6) implement a messaging system for overflow callers and respond to these callers
by the next business day;
(7) link callers with county human services and other providers to receive more
in-depth assistance and consultation related to long-term care options;
(8) link callers with quality profiles for nursing facilities and other providers
developed by the commissioner of health;
(9) incorporate information about the availability of housing options, as well as
registered housing with services and consumer rights within the MinnesotaHelp.info
network long-term care database to facilitate consumer comparison of services and costs
among housing with services establishments and with other in-home services and to
support financial self-sufficiency as long as possible. Housing with services establishments
and their arranged home care providers shall provide information that will facilitate price
comparisons, including delineation of charges for rent and for services available. The
commissioners of health and human services shall align the data elements required by
section 144G.06, the Uniform Consumer Information Guide, and this section to provide
consumers standardized information and ease of comparison of long-term care options.
The commissioner of human services shall provide the data to the Minnesota Board on
Aging for inclusion in the MinnesotaHelp.info network long-term care database;
(10) provide long-term care options counseling. Long-term care options counselors
shall:
(i) for individuals not eligible for case management under a public program or public
funding source, provide interactive decision support under which consumers, family
members, or other helpers are supported in their deliberations to determine appropriate
long-term care choices in the context of the consumer's needs, preferences, values, and
individual circumstances, including implementing a community support plan;
(ii) provide Web-based educational information and collateral written materials to
familiarize consumers, family members, or other helpers with the long-term care basics,
issues to be considered, and the range of options available in the community;
(iii) provide long-term care futures planning, which means providing assistance to
individuals who anticipate having long-term care needs to develop a plan for the more
distant future; and
(iv) provide expertise in benefits and financing options for long-term care, including
Medicare, long-term care insurance, tax or employer-based incentives, reverse mortgages,
private pay options, and ways to access low or no-cost services or benefits through
volunteer-based or charitable programs; deleted text begin and
deleted text end
(11) using risk management and support planning protocols, provide long-term care
options counseling to current residents of nursing homes deemed appropriate for discharge
by the commissioner. In order to meet this requirement, the commissioner shall provide
designated Senior LinkAge Line contact centers with a list of nursing home residents
appropriate for discharge planning via a secure Web portal. Senior LinkAge Line shall
provide these residents, if they indicate a preference to receive long-term care options
counseling, with initial assessment, review of risk factors, independent living support
consultation, or referral to:
(i) long-term care consultation services under section 256B.0911;
(ii) designated care coordinators of contracted entities under section 256B.035 for
persons who are enrolled in a managed care plan; or
(iii) the long-term care consultation team for those who are appropriate for relocation
service coordination due to high-risk factors or psychological or physical disabilitydeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end
new text begin
(12) develop referral protocols and processes that will assist certified health care
homes and hospitals to identify at-risk older adults and determine when to refer these
individuals to the Senior LinkAge Line for long-term care options counseling under this
section. The commissioner is directed to work with the commissioner of health to develop
protocols that would comply with the health care home designation criteria and protocols
available at the time of hospital discharge. The commissioner shall keep a record of the
number of people who choose long-term care options counseling as a result of this section.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.056, subdivision 1a, is amended to
read:
Unless specifically required by state
law or rule or federal law or regulation, the methodologies used in counting income
and assets to determine eligibility for medical assistance for persons whose eligibility
category is based on blindness, disability, or age of 65 or more years, the methodologies
for the supplemental security income program shall be usednew text begin , except as provided under
subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (6)new text end . Increases in benefits under title II of the Social
Security Act shall not be counted as income for purposes of this subdivision until July 1 of
each year. Effective upon federal approval, for children eligible under section 256B.055,
subdivision 12, or for home and community-based waiver services whose eligibility
for medical assistance is determined without regard to parental income, child support
payments, including any payments made by an obligor in satisfaction of or in addition
to a temporary or permanent order for child support, and Social Security payments are
not counted as income. For families and children, which includes all other eligibility
categories, the methodologies under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, as
required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
(PRWORA), Public Law 104-193, shall be used, except that effective October 1, 2003, the
earned income disregards and deductions are limited to those in subdivision 1c. For these
purposes, a "methodology" does not include an asset or income standard, or accounting
method, or method of determining effective dates.
new text begin
This section is effective April 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.056, subdivision 3,
is amended to read:
(a) To be eligible for
medical assistance, a person must not individually own more than $3,000 in assets, or if a
member of a household with two family members, husband and wife, or parent and child,
the household must not own more than $6,000 in assets, plus $200 for each additional
legal dependent. In addition to these maximum amounts, an eligible individual or family
may accrue interest on these amounts, but they must be reduced to the maximum at the
time of an eligibility redetermination. The accumulation of the clothing and personal
needs allowance according to section 256B.35 must also be reduced to the maximum at
the time of the eligibility redetermination. The value of assets that are not considered in
determining eligibility for medical assistance is the value of those assets excluded under
the supplemental security income program for aged, blind, and disabled persons, with
the following exceptions:
(1) household goods and personal effects are not considered;
(2) capital and operating assets of a trade or business that the local agency determines
are necessary to the person's ability to earn an income are not considered;
(3) motor vehicles are excluded to the same extent excluded by the supplemental
security income program;
(4) assets designated as burial expenses are excluded to the same extent excluded by
the supplemental security income program. Burial expenses funded by annuity contracts
or life insurance policies must irrevocably designate the individual's estate as contingent
beneficiary to the extent proceeds are not used for payment of selected burial expenses; deleted text begin and
deleted text end
(5) for a person who no longer qualifies as an employed person with a disability due
to loss of earnings, assets allowed while eligible for medical assistance under section
256B.057, subdivision 9, are not considered for 12 months, beginning with the first month
of ineligibility as an employed person with a disability, to the extent that the person's total
assets remain within the allowed limits of section 256B.057, subdivision 9, paragraph
(d)deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end
new text begin
(6) when a person enrolled in medical assistance under section 256B.057, subdivision
9, is age 65 or older and has been enrolled during each of the 24 consecutive months
before the person's 65th birthday, the assets owned by the person and the person's spouse
must be disregarded, up to the limits of section 256B.057, subdivision 9, paragraph (d),
when determining eligibility for medical assistance under section 256B.055, subdivision
7. The income of a spouse of a person enrolled in medical assistance under section
256B.057, subdivision 9, during each of the 24 consecutive months before the person's
65th birthday must be disregarded when determining eligibility for medical assistance
under section 256B.055, subdivision 7. Persons eligible under this clause are not subject to
the provisions in section 256B.059. A person whose 65th birthday occurs in 2012 or 2013
is required to have qualified for medical assistance under section 256B.057, subdivision 9,
prior to age 65 for at least 20 months in the 24 months prior to reaching age 65.
new text end
(b) No asset limit shall apply to persons eligible under section 256B.055, subdivision
15.
new text begin
This section is effective April 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.057, subdivision 9,
is amended to read:
(a) Medical assistance may be paid
for a person who is employed and who:
(1) but for excess earnings or assets, meets the definition of disabled under the
Supplemental Security Income program;
(2) deleted text begin is at least 16 but less than 65 years of age;
deleted text end
deleted text begin (3)deleted text end meets the asset limits in paragraph (d); and
deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end pays a premium and other obligations under paragraph (e).
(b) For purposes of eligibility, there is a $65 earned income disregard. To be eligible
for medical assistance under this subdivision, a person must have more than $65 of earned
income. Earned income must have Medicare, Social Security, and applicable state and
federal taxes withheld. The person must document earned income tax withholding. Any
spousal income or assets shall be disregarded for purposes of eligibility and premium
determinations.
(c) After the month of enrollment, a person enrolled in medical assistance under
this subdivision who:
(1) is temporarily unable to work and without receipt of earned income due to a
medical condition, as verified by a physician; or
(2) loses employment for reasons not attributable to the enrollee, and is without
receipt of earned income may retain eligibility for up to four consecutive months after the
month of job loss. To receive a four-month extension, enrollees must verify the medical
condition or provide notification of job loss. All other eligibility requirements must be met
and the enrollee must pay all calculated premium costs for continued eligibility.
(d) For purposes of determining eligibility under this subdivision, a person's assets
must not exceed $20,000, excluding:
(1) all assets excluded under section 256B.056;
(2) retirement accounts, including individual accounts, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans,
Keogh plans, and pension plans;
(3) medical expense accounts set up through the person's employer; and
(4) spousal assets, including spouse's share of jointly held assets.
(e) All enrollees must pay a premium to be eligible for medical assistance under this
subdivision, except as provided under section 256.01, subdivision 18b.
(1) An enrollee must pay the greater of a $65 premium or the premium calculated
based on the person's gross earned and unearned income and the applicable family size
using a sliding fee scale established by the commissioner, which begins at one percent of
income at 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and increases to 7.5 percent of
income for those with incomes at or above 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
(2) Annual adjustments in the premium schedule based upon changes in the federal
poverty guidelines shall be effective for premiums due in July of each year.
(3) All enrollees who receive unearned income must pay five percent of unearned
income in addition to the premium amount, except as provided under section 256.01,
subdivision 18b.
(4) Increases in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act shall not be counted
as income for purposes of this subdivision until July 1 of each year.
(f) A person's eligibility and premium shall be determined by the local county
agency. Premiums must be paid to the commissioner. All premiums are dedicated to
the commissioner.
(g) Any required premium shall be determined at application and redetermined at
the enrollee's six-month income review or when a change in income or household size is
reported. Enrollees must report any change in income or household size within ten days
of when the change occurs. A decreased premium resulting from a reported change in
income or household size shall be effective the first day of the next available billing month
after the change is reported. Except for changes occurring from annual cost-of-living
increases, a change resulting in an increased premium shall not affect the premium amount
until the next six-month review.
(h) Premium payment is due upon notification from the commissioner of the
premium amount required. Premiums may be paid in installments at the discretion of
the commissioner.
(i) Nonpayment of the premium shall result in denial or termination of medical
assistance unless the person demonstrates good cause for nonpayment. Good cause exists
if the requirements specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9506.0040, subpart 7, items B to
D, are met. Except when an installment agreement is accepted by the commissioner,
all persons disenrolled for nonpayment of a premium must pay any past due premiums
as well as current premiums due prior to being reenrolled. Nonpayment shall include
payment with a returned, refused, or dishonored instrument. The commissioner may
require a guaranteed form of payment as the only means to replace a returned, refused,
or dishonored instrument.
(j) The commissioner shall notify enrollees annually beginning at least 24 months
before the person's 65th birthday of the medical assistance eligibility rules affecting
income, assets, and treatment of a spouse's income and assets that will be applied upon
reaching age 65.
(k) For enrollees whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty
guidelines and who are also enrolled in Medicare, the commissioner shall reimburse
the enrollee for Medicare part B premiums under section 256B.0625, subdivision 15,
paragraph (a).
new text begin
This section is effective April 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.0659, subdivision 11,
is amended to read:
(a) A personal care assistant
must meet the following requirements:
(1) be at least 18 years of age with the exception of persons who are 16 or 17 years
of age with these additional requirements:
(i) supervision by a qualified professional every 60 days; and
(ii) employment by only one personal care assistance provider agency responsible
for compliance with current labor laws;
(2) be employed by a personal care assistance provider agency;
(3) enroll with the department as a personal care assistant after clearing a background
study. Except as provided in subdivision 11a, before a personal care assistant provides
services, the personal care assistance provider agency must initiate a background study on
the personal care assistant under chapter 245C, and the personal care assistance provider
agency must have received a notice from the commissioner that the personal care assistant
is:
(i) not disqualified under section 245C.14; or
(ii) is disqualified, but the personal care assistant has received a set aside of the
disqualification under section 245C.22;
(4) be able to effectively communicate with the recipient and personal care
assistance provider agency;
(5) be able to provide covered personal care assistance services according to the
recipient's personal care assistance care plan, respond appropriately to recipient needs,
and report changes in the recipient's condition to the supervising qualified professional
or physician;
(6) not be a consumer of personal care assistance services;
(7) maintain daily written records including, but not limited to, time sheets under
subdivision 12;
(8) effective January 1, 2010, complete standardized training as determined
by the commissioner before completing enrollment. The training must be available
in languages other than English and to those who need accommodations due to
disabilities. Personal care assistant training must include successful completion of the
following training components: basic first aid, vulnerable adult, child maltreatment,
OSHA universal precautions, basic roles and responsibilities of personal care assistants
including information about assistance with lifting and transfers for recipients, emergency
preparedness, orientation to positive behavioral practices, fraud issues, and completion of
time sheets. Upon completion of the training components, the personal care assistant must
demonstrate the competency to provide assistance to recipients;
(9) complete training and orientation on the needs of the recipient within the first
seven days after the services begin; and
(10) be limited to providing and being paid for up to 275 hours per month, except
that this limit shall be 275 hours per month for the period July 1, 2009, through June 30,
2011, of personal care assistance services regardless of the number of recipients being
served or the number of personal care assistance provider agencies enrolled with. The
number of hours worked per day shall not be disallowed by the department unless in
violation of the law.
(b) A legal guardian may be a personal care assistant if the guardian is not being paid
for the guardian services and meets the criteria for personal care assistants in paragraph (a).
(c) Persons who do not qualify as a personal care assistant include parents and
stepparents of minors, spouses, paid legal guardians, family foster care providers, except
as otherwise allowed in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, or staff of a residential
setting. When the personal care assistant is a relative of the recipient, the commissioner
shall pay 80 percent of the provider rate. new text begin This rate reduction is effective July 1, 2013. new text end For
purposes of this section, relative means the parent or adoptive parent of an adult child, a
sibling aged 16 years or older, an adult child, a grandparent, or a grandchild.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0659, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
When the commissioner is investigating a
possible overpayment of Medicaid funds, the commissioner must be given immediate
access without prior notice to the office during regular business hours and to
documentation and records related to services provided and submission of claims for
services provided. Denying the commissioner access to records is cause for immediate
suspension of payment and/or terminating the personal care provider organization's
enrollment according to section 256B.064.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.0911, subdivision 3a,
is amended to read:
(a) Persons requesting assessment,
services planning, or other assistance intended to support community-based living,
including persons who need assessment in order to determine waiver or alternative care
program eligibility, must be visited by a long-term care consultation team within 15
calendar days after the date on which an assessment was requested or recommended. After
January 1, 2011, these requirements also apply to personal care assistance services, private
duty nursing, and home health agency services, on timelines established in subdivision 5.
Face-to-face assessments must be conducted according to paragraphs (b) to (i).
(b) The county may utilize a team of either the social worker or public health nurse,
or both. After January 1, 2011, lead agencies shall use certified assessors to conduct the
assessment in a face-to-face interview. The consultation team members must confer
regarding the most appropriate care for each individual screened or assessed.
(c) The assessment must be comprehensive and include a person-centered
assessment of the health, psychological, functional, environmental, and social needs of
referred individuals and provide information necessary to develop a support plan that
meets the consumers needs, using an assessment form provided by the commissioner.
(d) The assessment must be conducted in a face-to-face interview with the person
being assessed and the person's legal representative, as required by legally executed
documents, and other individuals as requested by the person, who can provide information
on the needs, strengths, and preferences of the person necessary to develop a support plan
that ensures the person's health and safety, but who is not a provider of service or has any
financial interest in the provision of services.new text begin For persons who are to be assessed for
elderly waiver customized living services under section 256B.0915, with the permission
of the person being assessed or the person's designated or legal representative, the client's
current or proposed provider of services may submit a copy of the provider's nursing
assessment or written report outlining their recommendations regarding the client's care
needs. The person conducting the assessment will notify the provider of the date by which
this information is to be submitted. This information shall be provided to the person
conducting the assessment prior to the assessment.
new text end
(e) The person, or the person's legal representative, must be provided with written
recommendations for community-based services, including consumer-directed options,
or institutional care that include documentation that the most cost-effective alternatives
available were offered to the individual, and alternatives to residential settings, including,
but not limited to, foster care settings that are not the primary residence of the license
holder. For purposes of this requirement, "cost-effective alternatives" means community
services and living arrangements that cost the same as or less than institutional care.
(f) If the person chooses to use community-based services, the person or the person's
legal representative must be provided with a written community support plan, regardless
of whether the individual is eligible for Minnesota health care programs. A person may
request assistance in identifying community supports without participating in a complete
assessment. Upon a request for assistance identifying community support, the person must
be transferred or referred to the services available under sections 256.975, subdivision 7,
and 256.01, subdivision 24, for telephone assistance and follow up.
(g) The person has the right to make the final decision between institutional
placement and community placement after the recommendations have been provided,
except as provided in subdivision 4a, paragraph (c).
(h) The team must give the person receiving assessment or support planning, or
the person's legal representative, materials, and forms supplied by the commissioner
containing the following information:
(1) the need for and purpose of preadmission screening if the person selects nursing
facility placement;
(2) the role of the long-term care consultation assessment and support planning in
waiver and alternative care program eligibility determination;
(3) information about Minnesota health care programs;
(4) the person's freedom to accept or reject the recommendations of the team;
(5) the person's right to confidentiality under the Minnesota Government Data
Practices Act, chapter 13;
(6) the long-term care consultant's decision regarding the person's need for
institutional level of care as determined under criteria established in section 144.0724,
subdivision 11, or 256B.092; and
(7) the person's right to appeal the decision regarding the need for nursing facility
level of care or the county's final decisions regarding public programs eligibility according
to section 256.045, subdivision 3.
(i) Face-to-face assessment completed as part of eligibility determination for
the alternative care, elderly waiver, community alternatives for disabled individuals,
community alternative care, and traumatic brain injury waiver programs under sections
256B.0915, 256B.0917, and 256B.49 is valid to establish service eligibility for no more
than 60 calendar days after the date of assessment. The effective eligibility start date
for these programs can never be prior to the date of assessment. If an assessment was
completed more than 60 days before the effective waiver or alternative care program
eligibility start date, assessment and support plan information must be updated in a
face-to-face visit and documented in the department's Medicaid Management Information
System (MMIS). The effective date of program eligibility in this case cannot be prior to
the date the updated assessment is completed.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.0911, subdivision 3c,
is amended to read:
(a) The purpose of long-term
care consultation for registered housing with services is to support persons with current or
anticipated long-term care needs in making informed choices among options that include
the most cost-effective and least restrictive settings. Prospective residents maintain the
right to choose housing with services or assisted living if that option is their preference.
(b) Registered housing with services establishments shall inform all prospective
residents new text begin or the prospective resident's designated or legal representative new text end of the availability
of long-term care consultation and the need to receive and verify the consultation prior
to signing a lease or contract. Long-term care consultation for registered housing with
services is provided as determined by the commissioner of human services. The service
is delivered under a partnership between lead agencies as defined in subdivision 1a,
paragraph (d), and the Area Agencies on Aging, and is a point of entry to a combination
of telephone-based long-term care options counseling provided by Senior LinkAge Line
and in-person long-term care consultation provided by lead agencies. The point of entry
service must be provided within five working days of the request of the prospective
resident as follows:
(1) new text begin the consultation shall be conducted with the prospective resident, or in the
alternative, the resident's designated or legal representative, if:
new text end
new text begin
(i) the resident verbally requests; or
new text end
new text begin
(ii) the registered housing with services provider has documentation of the
designated or legal representative's authority to enter into a lease or contract on behalf of
the prospective resident and accepts the documentation in good faith;
new text end
new text begin (2) new text end the consultation shall be performed in a manner that provides objective and
complete information;
deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end the consultation must include a review of the prospective resident's reasons
for considering housing with services, the prospective resident's personal goals, a
discussion of the prospective resident's immediate and projected long-term care needs,
and alternative community services or housing with services settings that may meet the
prospective resident's needs;
deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end the prospective resident shall be informed of the availability of a face-to-face
visit at no charge to the prospective resident to assist the prospective resident in assessment
and planning to meet the prospective resident's long-term care needs; and
deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end verification of counseling shall be generated and provided to the prospective
resident by Senior LinkAge Line upon completion of the telephone-based counseling.
(c) Housing with services establishments registered under chapter 144D shall:
(1) inform all prospective residents new text begin or the prospective resident's designated or legal
representative new text end of the availability of and contact information for consultation services
under this subdivision;
(2) deleted text begin except for individuals seeking lease-only arrangements in subsidized housing
settings,deleted text end receive a copy of the verification of counseling prior to executing a lease or
service contract with the prospective resident, and prior to executing a service contract
with individuals who have previously entered into lease-only arrangements; and
(3) retain a copy of the verification of counseling as part of the resident's file.
new text begin
(d) Emergency admissions to registered housing with services establishments prior
to consultation under paragraph (b) are permitted according to policies established by
the commissioner.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0911, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
Individuals shall be exempt from the requirements outlined
in subdivision 3c in the following circumstances:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the individual is seeking a lease-only arrangement in a subsidized housing setting;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the individual has previously received a long-term care consultation assessment
under this section. In this instance, the assessor who completes the long-term care
consultation will issue a verification code and provide it to the individual;
new text end
new text begin
(3) the individual is receiving or is being evaluated for hospice services from a
hospice provider licensed under sections 144A.75 to 144A.755; or
new text end
new text begin
(4) the individual has used financial planning services and created a long-term care
plan as defined by the commissioner in the 12 months prior to signing a lease or contract
with a registered housing with services establishment.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0911, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) Hospitals shall refer all
individuals described in paragraph (b) prior to discharge from an inpatient hospital stay
to the Senior LinkAge Line for long-term care options counseling. Hospitals shall make
these referrals using referral protocols and processes developed under section 256.975,
subdivision 7. The purpose of the counseling is to support persons with current or
anticipated long-term care needs in making informed choices among options that include
the most cost-effective and least restrictive setting.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The individuals who shall be referred under paragraph (a) include older adults
who are at risk of nursing home placement. Protocols for identifying at-risk individuals
shall be developed under section 256.975, subdivision 7, paragraph (b), clause (12).
new text end
new text begin
(c) Counseling provided under this subdivision shall meet the requirements for the
consultation required under section 256B.0911, subdivision 3c.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective October 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.0915, subdivision 3e,
is amended to read:
(a) Payment for customized living
services shall be a monthly rate authorized by the lead agency within the parameters
established by the commissioner. The payment agreement must delineate the amount of
each component service included in the recipient's customized living service plan. The
lead agencynew text begin , with input from the provider of customized living services,new text end shall ensure that
there is a documented need within the parameters established by the commissioner for all
component customized living services authorized.
(b) The payment rate must be based on the amount of component services to be
provided utilizing component rates established by the commissioner. Counties and tribes
shall use tools issued by the commissioner to develop and document customized living
service plans and rates.
(c) Component service rates must not exceed payment rates for comparable elderly
waiver or medical assistance services and must reflect economies of scale. Customized
living services must not include rent or raw food costs.
(d) With the exception of individuals described in subdivision 3a, paragraph (b), the
individualized monthly authorized payment for the customized living service plan shall
not exceed 50 percent of the greater of either the statewide or any of the geographic
groups' weighted average monthly nursing facility rate of the case mix resident class
to which the elderly waiver eligible client would be assigned under Minnesota Rules,
parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, less the maintenance needs allowance as described
in subdivision 1d, paragraph (a), until the July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the
resident assessment system as described in section 256B.438 for nursing home rate
determination is implemented. Effective on July 1 of the state fiscal year in which
the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.438 for nursing home
rate determination is implemented and July 1 of each subsequent state fiscal year, the
individualized monthly authorized payment for the services described in this clause shall
not exceed the limit which was in effect on June 30 of the previous state fiscal year
updated annually based on legislatively adopted changes to all service rate maximums for
home and community-based service providers.
(e) Effective July 1, 2011, the individualized monthly payment for the customized
living service plan for individuals described in subdivision 3a, paragraph (b), must be the
monthly authorized payment limit for customized living for individuals classified as case
mix A, reduced by 25 percent. This rate limit must be applied to all new participants
enrolled in the program on or after July 1, 2011, who meet the criteria described in
subdivision 3a, paragraph (b). This monthly limit also applies to all other participants who
meet the criteria described in subdivision 3a, paragraph (b), at reassessment.
(f) Customized living services are delivered by a provider licensed by the
Department of Health as a class A or class F home care provider and provided in a
building that is registered as a housing with services establishment under chapter 144D.
Licensed home care providers are subject to section 256B.0651, subdivision 14.
(g) A provider may not bill or otherwise charge an elderly waiver participant or their
family for additional units of any allowable component service beyond those available
under the service rate limits described in paragraph (d), nor for additional units of any
allowable component service beyond those approved in the service plan by the lead agency.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.0915, subdivision 3h,
is amended to read:
(a) The
payment rate for 24-hour customized living services is a monthly rate authorized by the
lead agency within the parameters established by the commissioner of human services.
The payment agreement must delineate the amount of each component service included
in each recipient's customized living service plan. The lead agencynew text begin , with input from
the provider of customized living services,new text end shall ensure that there is a documented need
within the parameters established by the commissioner for all component customized
living services authorized. The lead agency shall not authorize 24-hour customized living
services unless there is a documented need for 24-hour supervision.
(b) For purposes of this section, "24-hour supervision" means that the recipient
requires assistance due to needs related to one or more of the following:
(1) intermittent assistance with toileting, positioning, or transferring;
(2) cognitive or behavioral issues;
(3) a medical condition that requires clinical monitoring; or
(4) for all new participants enrolled in the program on or after July 1, 2011, and
all other participants at their first reassessment after July 1, 2011, dependency in at
least three of the following activities of daily living as determined by assessment under
section 256B.0911: bathing; dressing; grooming; walking; or eating when the dependency
score in eating is three or greater; and needs medication management and at least 50
hours of service per month. The lead agency shall ensure that the frequency and mode
of supervision of the recipient and the qualifications of staff providing supervision are
described and meet the needs of the recipient.
(c) The payment rate for 24-hour customized living services must be based on the
amount of component services to be provided utilizing component rates established by the
commissioner. Counties and tribes will use tools issued by the commissioner to develop
and document customized living plans and authorize rates.
(d) Component service rates must not exceed payment rates for comparable elderly
waiver or medical assistance services and must reflect economies of scale.
(e) The individually authorized 24-hour customized living payments, in combination
with the payment for other elderly waiver services, including case management, must not
exceed the recipient's community budget cap specified in subdivision 3a. Customized
living services must not include rent or raw food costs.
(f) The individually authorized 24-hour customized living payment rates shall not
exceed the 95 percentile of statewide monthly authorizations for 24-hour customized
living services in effect and in the Medicaid management information systems on March
31, 2009, for each case mix resident class under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050
to 9549.0059, to which elderly waiver service clients are assigned. When there are
fewer than 50 authorizations in effect in the case mix resident class, the commissioner
shall multiply the calculated service payment rate maximum for the A classification by
the standard weight for that classification under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to
9549.0059, to determine the applicable payment rate maximum. Service payment rate
maximums shall be updated annually based on legislatively adopted changes to all service
rates for home and community-based service providers.
(g) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (d) and (f), the commissioner
may establish alternative payment rate systems for 24-hour customized living services in
housing with services establishments which are freestanding buildings with a capacity of
16 or fewer, by applying a single hourly rate for covered component services provided
in either:
(1) licensed corporate adult foster homes; or
(2) specialized dementia care units which meet the requirements of section 144D.065
and in which:
(i) each resident is offered the option of having their own apartment; or
(ii) the units are licensed as board and lodge establishments with maximum capacity
of eight residents, and which meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 9555.6205,
subparts 1, 2, 3, and 4, item A.
new text begin
(h) 24-hour customized living services are delivered by a provider licensed by
the Department of Health as a class A or class F home care provider and provided in a
building that is registered as a housing with services establishment under chapter 144D.
Licensed home care providers are subject to section 256B.0651, subdivision 14.
new text end
deleted text begin (h)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end A provider may not bill or otherwise charge an elderly waiver participant
or their family for additional units of any allowable component service beyond those
available under the service rate limits described in paragraph (e), nor for additional
units of any allowable component service beyond those approved in the service plan
by the lead agency.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.092, subdivision 1b, is amended to
read:
new text begin (a) new text end The individual service plan must:
(1) include the results of the assessment information on the person's need for service,
including identification of service needs that will be or that are met by the person's
relatives, friends, and others, as well as community services used by the general public;
(2) identify the person's preferences for services as stated by the person, the person's
legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor;
(3) identify long- and short-range goals for the person;
(4) identify specific services and the amount and frequency of the services to be
provided to the person based on assessed needs, preferences, and available resources.
The individual service plan shall also specify other services the person needs that are
not available;
(5) identify the need for an individual program plan to be developed by the provider
according to the respective state and federal licensing and certification standards, and
additional assessments to be completed or arranged by the provider after service initiation;
(6) identify provider responsibilities to implement and make recommendations for
modification to the individual service plan;
(7) include notice of the right to request a conciliation conference or a hearing
under section 256.045;
(8) be agreed upon and signed by the person, the person's legal guardian
or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, and the authorized county
representative; and
(9) be reviewed by a health professional if the person has overriding medical needs
that impact the delivery of services.
new text begin (b) new text end Service planning formats developed for interagency planning such as transition,
vocational, and individual family service plans may be substituted for service planning
formats developed by county agencies.
new text begin
(c) Approved, written, and signed changes to a consumer's services that meet the
criteria in this subdivision shall be an addendum to that consumer's individual service plan.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.092, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
new text begin (a) new text end For persons with developmental disabilities,
screening teams shall be established which shall evaluate the need for the level of care
provided by residential-based habilitation services, residential services, training and
habilitation services, and nursing facility services. The evaluation shall address whether
home and community-based services are appropriate for persons who are at risk of
placement in an intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, or
for whom there is reasonable indication that they might require this level of care. The
screening team shall make an evaluation of need within 60 working days of a request for
service by a person with a developmental disability, and within five working days of
an emergency admission of a person to an intermediate care facility for persons with
developmental disabilities.
new text begin (b)new text end The screening team shall consist of the case manager for persons with
developmental disabilities, the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the
parent if the person is a minor, and a qualified developmental disability professional, as
defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.430, as amended through
June 3, 1988. The case manager may also act as the qualified developmental disability
professional if the case manager meets the federal definition.
new text begin (c)new text end County social service agencies may contract with a public or private agency
or individual who is not a service provider for the person for the public guardianship
representation required by the screening or individual service planning process. The
contract shall be limited to public guardianship representation for the screening and
individual service planning activities. The contract shall require compliance with the
commissioner's instructions and may be for paid or voluntary services.
new text begin (d)new text end For persons determined to have overriding health care needs and are
seeking admission to a nursing facility or an ICF/MR, or seeking access to home and
community-based waivered services, a registered nurse must be designated as either the
case manager or the qualified developmental disability professional.
new text begin (e)new text end For persons under the jurisdiction of a correctional agency, the case manager
must consult with the corrections administrator regarding additional health, safety, and
supervision needs.
new text begin (f)new text end The case manager, with the concurrence of the person, the person's legal guardian
or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, may invite other individuals to
attend meetings of the screening team.new text begin With the permission of the person being screened
or the person's designated legal representative, the person's current provider of services
may submit a written report outlining their recommendations regarding the person's care
needs prepared by a direct service employee with at least 20 hours of service to that client.
The screening team must notify the provider of the date by which this information is to
be submitted. This information must be provided to the screening team and the person
or the person's legal representative and must be considered prior to the finalization of
the screening.
new text end
new text begin (g)new text end No member of the screening team shall have any direct or indirect service
provider interest in the case.
new text begin (h)new text end Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the screening team
meeting to be separate from the service planning meeting.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.097, subdivision 3,
is amended to read:
(a) There is hereby created a State Quality
Council which must define regional quality councils, and carry out a community-based,
person-directed quality review component, and a comprehensive system for effective
incident reporting, investigation, analysis, and follow-up.
(b) By August 1, 2011, the commissioner of human services shall appoint the
members of the initial State Quality Council. Members shall include representatives
from the following groups:
(1) disability service recipients and their family members;
(2) during the first two years of the State Quality Council, there must be at least three
members from the Region 10 stakeholders. As regional quality councils are formed under
subdivision 4, each regional quality council shall appoint one member;
(3) disability service providers;
(4) disability advocacy groups; and
(5) county human services agencies and staff from the Department of Human
Services and Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
(c) Members of the council who do not receive a salary or wages from an employer
for time spent on council duties may receive a per diem payment when performing council
duties and functions.
(d) The State Quality Council shall:
(1) assist the Department of Human Services in fulfilling federally mandated
obligations by monitoring disability service quality and quality assurance and
improvement practices in Minnesota; deleted text begin and
deleted text end
(2) establish state quality improvement priorities with methods for achieving results
and provide an annual report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over policy
and funding of disability services on the outcomes, improvement priorities, and activities
undertaken by the commission during the previous state fiscal yearnew text begin ;
new text end
new text begin
(3) identify issues pertaining to financial and personal risk that impede Minnesotans
with disabilities from optimizing choice of community-based services; and
new text end
new text begin (4) recommend to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over human services and civil law by January 15, 2013,
statutory and rule changes related to the findings under clause (3) that promote
individualized service and housing choices balanced with appropriate individualized
protectionnew text end .
(e) The State Quality Council, in partnership with the commissioner, shall:
(1) approve and direct implementation of the community-based, person-directed
system established in this section;
(2) recommend an appropriate method of funding this system, and determine the
feasibility of the use of Medicaid, licensing fees, as well as other possible funding options;
(3) approve measurable outcomes in the areas of health and safety, consumer
evaluation, education and training, providers, and systems;
(4) establish variable licensure periods not to exceed three years based on outcomes
achieved; and
(5) in cooperation with the Quality Assurance Commission, design a transition plan
for licensed providers from Region 10 into the alternative licensing system by July 1, 2013.
(f) The State Quality Council shall notify the commissioner of human services that a
facility, program, or service has been reviewed by quality assurance team members under
subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (13), and qualifies for a license.
(g) The State Quality Council, in partnership with the commissioner, shall establish
an ongoing review process for the system. The review shall take into account the
comprehensive nature of the system which is designed to evaluate the broad spectrum of
licensed and unlicensed entities that provide services to persons with disabilities. The
review shall address efficiencies and effectiveness of the system.
(h) The State Quality Council may recommend to the commissioner certain
variances from the standards governing licensure of programs for persons with disabilities
in order to improve the quality of services so long as the recommended variances do
not adversely affect the health or safety of persons being served or compromise the
qualifications of staff to provide services.
(i) The safety standards, rights, or procedural protections referenced under
subdivision 2, paragraph (c), shall not be varied. The State Quality Council may make
recommendations to the commissioner or to the legislature in the report required under
paragraph (c) regarding alternatives or modifications to the safety standards, rights, or
procedural protections referenced under subdivision 2, paragraph (c).
(j) The State Quality Council may hire staff to perform the duties assigned in this
subdivision.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.431, subdivision 17e, is amended to
read:
Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, item C, subitem (2),
for a total replacement, as defined in subdivision 17d, authorized under section
144A.071 or 144A.073 after July 1, 1999, any building project that is a relocation,
renovation, upgrading, or conversion completed on or after July 1, 2001, or any
building project eligible for reimbursement under section 256B.434, subdivision 4f, the
replacement-costs-new per bed limit shall be $74,280 per licensed bed in multiple-bed
rooms, $92,850 per licensed bed in semiprivate rooms with a fixed partition separating
the resident beds, and $111,420 per licensed bed in single rooms. Minnesota Rules, part
9549.0060, subpart 11, item C, subitem (2), does not apply. These amounts must be
adjusted annually as specified in subdivision 3f, paragraph (a), beginning January 1,
2000.new text begin These amounts must be increased annually as specified in subdivision 3f, paragraph
(a), beginning October 1, 2012.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.431, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, money available for moratorium exception
projects under section 144A.073, subdivisions 2 and 11, shall be used to fund the
incremental rate increases resulting from this section for any nursing facility with a
moratorium exception project approved under section 144A.073, and completed after
August 30, 2010, where the replacement-costs-new limits under subdivision 17e were
higher at any time after project approval than at the time of project completion. The
commissioner shall calculate the property rate increase for these facilities using the highest
set of limits; however, any rate increase under this section shall not be effective until on
or after the effective date of this section, contingent upon federal approval. No property
rate decrease shall result from this section.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective upon federal approval.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.434, subdivision 10, is amended to
read:
(a) To the extent permitted by federal law, (1) a facility that
has entered into a contract under this section is not required to file a cost report, as defined
in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0020, subpart 13, for any year after the base year that is the
basis for the calculation of the contract payment rate for the first rate year of the alternative
payment demonstration project contract; and (2) a facility under contract is not subject
to audits of historical costs or revenues, or paybacks or retroactive adjustments based on
these costs or revenues, except audits, paybacks, or adjustments relating to the cost report
that is the basis for calculation of the first rate year under the contract.
(b) A facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section is
not subject to the moratorium on licensure or certification of new nursing home beds in
section 144A.071, unless the project results in a net increase in bed capacity or involves
relocation of beds from one site to another. Contract payment rates must not be adjusted
to reflect any additional costs that a nursing facility incurs as a result of a construction
project undertaken under this paragraph. In addition, as a condition of entering into a
contract under this section, a nursing facility must agree that any future medical assistance
payments for nursing facility services will not reflect any additional costs attributable to
the sale of a nursing facility under this section and to construction undertaken under
this paragraph that otherwise would not be authorized under the moratorium in section
144A.073. Nothing in this section prevents a nursing facility participating in the
alternative payment demonstration project under this section from seeking approval of
an exception to the moratorium through the process established in section 144A.073,
and if approved the facility's rates shall be adjusted to reflect the cost of the project.
Nothing in this section prevents a nursing facility participating in the alternative payment
demonstration project from seeking legislative approval of an exception to the moratorium
under section 144A.071, and, if enacted, the facility's rates shall be adjusted to reflect the
cost of the project.
deleted text begin
(c) Notwithstanding section 256B.48, subdivision 6, paragraphs (c), (d), and (e),
and pursuant to any terms and conditions contained in the facility's contract, a nursing
facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section is in compliance
with section 256B.48, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), if the facility is Medicare certified.
deleted text end
deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if by April 1, 1996, the health care financing
administration has not approved a required waiver, or the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services otherwise requires cost reports to be filed prior to the waiver's approval,
the commissioner shall require a cost report for the rate year.
deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end A facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section
shall be allowed to change therapy arrangements from an unrelated vendor to a related
vendor during the term of the contract. The commissioner may develop reasonable
requirements designed to prevent an increase in therapy utilization for residents enrolled
in the medical assistance program.
deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end Nursing facilities participating in the alternative payment system
demonstration project must either participate in the alternative payment system quality
improvement program established by the commissioner or submit information on their
own quality improvement process to the commissioner for approval. Nursing facilities
that have had their own quality improvement process approved by the commissioner
must report results for at least one key area of quality improvement annually to the
commissioner.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.441, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
(a) The commissioner, in consultation
with the commissioner of health, may designate certain nursing facilities as critical access
nursing facilities. The designation shall be granted on a competitive basis, within the
limits of funds appropriated for this purpose.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner shall request proposals from nursing facilities every two years.
Proposals must be submitted in the form and according to the timelines established by
the commissioner. In selecting applicants to designate, the commissioner, in consultation
with the commissioner of health, and with input from stakeholders, shall develop criteria
designed to preserve access to nursing facility services in isolated areas, rebalance
long-term care, and improve quality.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The commissioner shall allow the benefits in clauses (1) to (5) for nursing
facilities designated as critical access nursing facilities:
new text end
new text begin
(1) partial rebasing, with operating payment rates being the sum of 60 percent of the
operating payment rate determined in accordance with subdivision 54 and 40 percent of the
operating payment rate that would have been allowed had the facility not been designated;
new text end
new text begin
(2) enhanced payments for leave days. Notwithstanding section 256B.431,
subdivision 2r, upon designation as a critical access nursing facility, the commissioner
shall limit payment for leave days to 60 percent of that nursing facility's total payment rate
for the involved resident, and shall allow this payment only when the occupancy of the
nursing facility, inclusive of bed hold days, is equal to or greater than 90 percent;
new text end
new text begin
(3) two designated critical access nursing facilities, with up to 100 beds in active
service, may jointly apply to the commissioner of health for a waiver of Minnesota
Rules, part 4658.0500, subpart 2, in order to jointly employ a director of nursing. The
commissioner of health will consider each waiver request independently based on the
criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 4658.0040;
new text end
new text begin
(4) the minimum threshold under section 256B.431, subdivisions 3f, paragraph (a),
and 17e, shall be 40 percent of the amount that would otherwise apply; and
new text end
new text begin
(5) notwithstanding subdivision 58, beginning October 1, 2014, the quality-based
rate limits under subdivision 50 shall apply to designated critical access nursing facilities.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Designation of a critical access nursing facility shall be for a period of two
years, after which the benefits allowed under paragraph (c) shall be removed. Designated
facilities may apply for continued designation.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.48, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
new text begin
Notwithstanding subdivision
1, nursing facility providers that do not participate in or accept Medicare assignment
must refer and document the referral of dual eligible recipients for whom placement is
requested and for whom the resident would be qualified for a Medicare-covered stay to
Medicare providers. The commissioner shall audit nursing facilities that do not accept
Medicare and determine if dual eligible individuals with Medicare qualifying stays have
been admitted. If such a determination is made, the commissioner shall deny Medicaid
payment for the first 20 days of that resident's stay.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.49, subdivision 14,
is amended to read:
(a) Assessments of each recipient's
strengths, informal support systems, and need for services shall be completed within 20
working days of the recipient's request as provided in section 256B.0911. Reassessment of
each recipient's strengths, support systems, and need for services shall be conducted at
least every 12 months and at other times when there has been a significant change in the
recipient's functioning.new text begin With the permission of the recipient or the recipient's designated
legal representative, the recipient's current provider of services may submit a written
report outlining their recommendations regarding the recipient's care needs prepared by
a direct service employee with at least 20 hours of service to that client. The person
conducting the assessment or reassessment must notify the provider of the date by which
this information is to be submitted. This information shall be provided to the person
conducting the assessment and the person or the person's legal representative and must be
considered prior to the finalization of the assessment or reassessment.
new text end
(b) There must be a determination that the client requires a hospital level of care or a
nursing facility level of care as defined in section 256B.0911, subdivision 4a, paragraph
(d), at initial and subsequent assessments to initiate and maintain participation in the
waiver program.
(c) Regardless of other assessments identified in section 144.0724, subdivision 4, as
appropriate to determine nursing facility level of care for purposes of medical assistance
payment for nursing facility services, only face-to-face assessments conducted according
to section 256B.0911, subdivisions 3a, 3b, and 4d, that result in a hospital level of care
determination or a nursing facility level of care determination must be accepted for
purposes of initial and ongoing access to waiver services payment.
(d) Persons with developmental disabilities who apply for services under the nursing
facility level waiver programs shall be screened for the appropriate level of care according
to section 256B.092.
(e) Recipients who are found eligible for home and community-based services under
this section before their 65th birthday may remain eligible for these services after their
65th birthday if they continue to meet all other eligibility factors.
(f) The commissioner shall develop criteria to identify recipients whose level of
functioning is reasonably expected to improve and reassess these recipients to establish
a baseline assessment. Recipients who meet these criteria must have a comprehensive
transitional service plan developed under subdivision 15, paragraphs (b) and (c), and be
reassessed every six months until there has been no significant change in the recipient's
functioning for at least 12 months. After there has been no significant change in the
recipient's functioning for at least 12 months, reassessments of the recipient's strengths,
informal support systems, and need for services shall be conducted at least every 12
months and at other times when there has been a significant change in the recipient's
functioning. Counties, case managers, and service providers are responsible for
conducting these reassessments and shall complete the reassessments out of existing funds.
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.49, subdivision 15,
is amended to read:
(a) Each recipient of home and community-based waivered
services shall be provided a copy of the written service plan which:
(1) is developed and signed by the recipient within ten working days of the
completion of the assessment;
(2) meets the assessed needs of the recipient;
(3) reasonably ensures the health and safety of the recipient;
(4) promotes independence;
(5) allows for services to be provided in the most integrated settings; and
(6) provides for an informed choice, as defined in section 256B.77, subdivision 2,
paragraph (p), of service and support providers.
(b) In developing the comprehensive transitional service plan, the individual
receiving services, the case manager, and the guardian, if applicable, will identify
the transitional service plan fundamental service outcome and anticipated timeline to
achieve this outcome. Within the first 20 days following a recipient's request for an
assessment or reassessment, the transitional service planning team must be identified. A
team leader must be identified who will be responsible for assigning responsibility and
communicating with team members to ensure implementation of the transition plan and
ongoing assessment and communication process. The team leader should be an individual,
such as the case manager or guardian, who has the opportunity to follow the recipient to
the next level of service.
Within ten days following an assessment, a comprehensive transitional service plan
must be developed incorporating elements of a comprehensive functional assessment and
including short-term measurable outcomes and timelines for achievement of and reporting
on these outcomes. Functional milestones must also be identified and reported according
to the timelines agreed upon by the transitional service planning team. In addition, the
comprehensive transitional service plan must identify additional supports that may assist
in the achievement of the fundamental service outcome such as the development of greater
natural community support, increased collaboration among agencies, and technological
supports.
The timelines for reporting on functional milestones will prompt a reassessment of
services provided, the units of services, rates, and appropriate service providers. It is
the responsibility of the transitional service planning team leader to review functional
milestone reporting to determine if the milestones are consistent with observable skills
and that milestone achievement prompts any needed changes to the comprehensive
transitional service plan.
For those whose fundamental transitional service outcome involves the need to
procure housing, a plan for the recipient to seek the resources necessary to secure the least
restrictive housing possible should be incorporated into the plan, including employment
and public supports such as housing access and shelter needy funding.
(c) Counties and other agencies responsible for funding community placement and
ongoing community supportive services are responsible for the implementation of the
comprehensive transitional service plans. Oversight responsibilities include both ensuring
effective transitional service delivery and efficient utilization of funding resources.
(d) Following one year of transitional services, the transitional services planning
team will make a determination as to whether or not the individual receiving services
requires the current level of continuous and consistent support in order to maintain the
recipient's current level of functioning. Recipients who are determined to have not had
a significant change in functioning for 12 months must move from a transitional to a
maintenance service plan. Recipients on a maintenance service plan must be reassessed
to determine if the recipient would benefit from a transitional service plan at least every
12 months and at other times when there has been a significant change in the recipient's
functioning. This assessment should consider any changes to technological or natural
community supports.
(e) When a county is evaluating denials, reductions, or terminations of home and
community-based services under section 256B.49 for an individual, the case manager
shall offer to meet with the individual or the individual's guardian in order to discuss the
prioritization of service needs within the individualized service plan, comprehensive
transitional service plan, or maintenance service plan. The reduction in the authorized
services for an individual due to changes in funding for waivered services may not exceed
the amount needed to ensure medically necessary services to meet the individual's health,
safety, and welfare.
(f) At the time of reassessment, local agency case managers shall assess each
recipient of community alternatives for disabled individuals or traumatic brain injury
waivered services currently residing in a licensed adult foster home that is not the primary
residence of the license holder, or in which the license holder is not the primary caregiver,
to determine if that recipient could appropriately be served in a community-living setting.
If appropriate for the recipient, the case manager shall offer the recipient, through a
person-centered planning process, the option to receive alternative housing and service
options. In the event that the recipient chooses to transfer from the adult foster home,
the vacated bed shall not be filled with another recipient of waiver services and group
residential housingdeleted text begin , unlessdeleted text end new text begin and the licensed capacity shall be reduced accordingly, unless
the savings required by the licensed bed closure reductions under Laws 2011, First Special
Session chapter 9, article 7, sections 1 and 40, paragraph (f), for foster care settings where
the physical location is not the primary residence of the license holder are met through
voluntary changes described in section 245A.03, subdivision 7, paragraph (g), or as
new text end provided under deleted text begin section 245A.03, subdivision 7deleted text end , paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4)deleted text begin , and the
licensed capacity shall be reduced accordinglydeleted text end . If the adult foster home becomes no longer
viable due to these transfers, the county agency, with the assistance of the department,
shall facilitate a consolidation of settings or closure. This reassessment process shall be
completed by deleted text begin June 30, 2012deleted text end new text begin July 1, 2013new text end .
Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.49, subdivision 23,
is amended to read:
"Community-living settings" means a
single-family home or apartment where the service recipient or their family owns or rents,
deleted text begin as demonstrated by a lease agreement,deleted text end and maintains control over the individual unitnew text begin as
demonstrated by the lease agreement, or has a plan for transition of a lease from a service
provider to the individual. Within two years of signing the initial lease, the service provider
shall transfer the lease to the individual. In the event the landlord denies the transfer, the
commissioner may approve an exception within sufficient time to ensure the continued
occupancy by the individualnew text end . Community-living settings are subject to the following:
(1) individuals are not required to receive services;
(2) individuals are not required to have a disability or specific diagnosis to live
in the community-living setting;
(3) individuals may hire service providers of their choice;
(4) individuals may choose whether to share their household and with whom;
(5) the home or apartment must include living, sleeping, bathing, and cooking areas;
(6) individuals must have lockable access and egress;
(7) individuals must be free to receive visitors and leave the settings at times and for
durations of their own choosing;
(8) leases must not reserve the right to assign units or change unit assignments; and
(9) access to the greater community must be easily facilitated based on the
individual's needs and preferences.
new text begin
(a) Individuals receiving services under a home and community-based waiver under
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.092 or 256B.49, may receive services in the following
settings:
new text end
new text begin
(1) an individual's own home or family home;
new text end
new text begin
(2) a licensed adult foster care setting of up to five people; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) community living settings as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.49,
subdivision 23, where individuals with disabilities may reside in all of the units in a
building of four or fewer units, and no more than the greater of four or 25 percent of the
units in a multifamily building of more than four units.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The settings in paragraph (a) must not:
new text end
new text begin
(1) be located in a building that is a publicly or privately operated facility that
provides institutional treatment or custodial care;
new text end
new text begin
(2) be located in a building on the grounds of or adjacent to a public or private
institution;
new text end
new text begin
(3) be a housing complex designed expressly around an individual's diagnosis or
disability;
new text end
new text begin
(4) be segregated based on a disability, either physically or because of setting
characteristics, from the larger community; and
new text end
new text begin
(5) have the qualities of an institution which include, but are not limited to:
regimented meal and sleep times, limitations on visitors, and lack of privacy. Restrictions
agreed to and documented in the person's individual service plan shall not result in a
residence having the qualities of an institution as long as the restrictions for the person are
not imposed upon others in the same residence and are the least restrictive alternative,
imposed for the shortest possible time to meet the person's needs.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to any setting in which
individuals receive services under a home and community-based waiver as of the effective
date of this section and the setting does not meet the criteria of this section.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), a program in Hennepin County established as
part of a Hennepin County demonstration project is qualified for the exception allowed
under paragraph (c).
new text end
new text begin
(e) The commissioner shall submit an amendment to the waiver plan no later than
December 31, 2012.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of human
services shall solicit proposals for the conversion of services provided for persons with
disabilities in settings licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265, to
other types of community settings in conjunction with the closure of identified licensed
adult foster care settings.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner shall
announce and implement a program for planned closure of adult foster care homes.
Planned closure shall be the preferred method for achieving necessary budgetary savings
required by the licensed bed closure budget reduction in section 245A.03, subdivision 7,
paragraph (e). If additional closures are required to achieve the necessary savings, the
commissioner shall use the process and priorities in section 245A.03, subdivision 7,
paragraph (e).
new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner shall establish a process for
the application, review, and approval of proposals from license holders for the closure of
adult foster care settings.
new text end
new text begin
(b) When an application for a planned closure rate adjustment is submitted, the
license holder shall provide written notification within five working days to the lead
agencies responsible for authorizing the licensed services for the residents of the affected
adult foster care settings. This notification shall be deemed confidential until the license
holder has received approval of the application by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin
(a) To be considered for approval, an
application must include:
new text end
new text begin
(1) a description of the proposed closure plan, which must identify the home or
homes, and occupied beds for which a planned closure rate adjustment is requested;
new text end
new text begin
(2) the proposed timetable for any proposed closure, including the proposed dates
for notification to residents and the affected lead agencies, commencement of closure,
and completion of closure;
new text end
new text begin
(3) the proposed relocation plan jointly developed by the counties of financial
responsibility, the residents and their legal representatives, if any, who wish to continue to
receive services from the provider, and the providers for current residents of any adult
foster care home designated for closure; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) documentation in a format approved by the commissioner that all the adult foster
care homes receiving a planned closure rate adjustment under the plan have accepted joint
and several liability for recovery of overpayments under section 256B.0641, subdivision
2, for the facilities designated for closure under this plan.
new text end
new text begin
(b) In reviewing and approving closure proposals, the commissioner shall give first
priority to proposals that:
new text end
new text begin
(1) target counties and geographic areas which have:
new text end
new text begin
(i) need for other types of services;
new text end
new text begin
(ii) need for specialized services;
new text end
new text begin
(iii) higher than average per capita use of foster care settings where the license
holder does not reside; or
new text end
new text begin
(iv) residents not living in the geographic area of their choice;
new text end
new text begin
(2) demonstrate savings of medical assistance expenditures; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) demonstrate that alternative services are based on the recipient's choice of
provider and are consistent with federal law, state law, and federally approved waiver
plans.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner shall also consider any information provided by service
recipients, their legal representatives, family members, or the lead agency on the impact of
the planned closure on the recipients and the services they need.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The commissioner shall select proposals that best meet the criteria established in
this subdivision for planned closure of adult foster care settings. The commissioner shall
notify license holders of the selections approved by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin
(d) For each proposal approved by the commissioner, a contract must be established
between the commissioner, the counties of financial responsibility, and the participating
license holder.
new text end
new text begin
(a) Once the license holder receives
notification from the commissioner that the proposal has been approved, the license holder
shall provide written notification within five working days to: