as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/17/2022 02:19pm
A bill for an act
relating to health; limiting cost-sharing for prescription drugs and related medical
supplies prescribed to treat a chronic disease; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020,
section 256L.03, subdivision 5; Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section
256B.0631, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 62Q.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
new text begin
A health plan must limit the amount of any enrollee
cost-sharing for prescription drugs prescribed to treat a chronic disease to no more than $25
per one-month supply for each prescription drug and to no more than $50 per month in total
for all related medical supplies.
new text end
new text begin
(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply.
new text end
new text begin
(b) "Chronic disease" means diabetes, asthma, and allergies requiring the use of
epinephrine auto-injectors.
new text end
new text begin
(c) "Cost-sharing" means co-payments and coinsurance.
new text end
new text begin
(d) "Related medical supplies" means syringes, insulin pens, epinephrine auto-injectors,
test strips, glucometers, continuous glucose monitors, and other medical supply items
necessary to effectively and appropriately administer a prescription drug prescribed to treat
a chronic disease.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective January 1, 2023, and applies to health
plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2021 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 recipientsdeleted text begin , effective
for services provided on or after September 1, 2011deleted text end :
(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 assistant, chiropractor, podiatrist, nurse midwife, advanced
practice nurse, audiologist, optician, or optometrist;
(2) $3.50 for nonemergency visits to a hospital-based emergency room, except that this
co-payment shall be increased to $20 upon federal approval;
(3) $3 per brand-name drug prescription, $1 per generic drug prescription, and $1 per
prescription for a brand-name multisource drug listed in preferred status on the preferred
drug list, 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;
(4) a family deductible equal to $2.75 per month per family and adjusted annually by
the percentage increase in the medical care component of the CPI-U for the period of
September to September of the preceding calendar year, rounded to the next higher five-cent
increment; deleted text begin and
deleted text end
(5) 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. This paragraph does not apply to
premiums charged to individuals described under section 256B.057, subdivision 9deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end
new text begin
(6) cost-sharing for prescription drugs and related medical supplies to treat chronic
disease must comply with the requirements of section 62Q.48.
new text end
(b) Recipients of medical assistance are responsible for all co-payments and deductibles
in this subdivision.
(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 (4). 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.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), the commissioner may waive the collection of the
family deductible described under paragraph (a), clause (4), from individuals and allow
long-term care and waivered service providers to assume responsibility for payment.
(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), the commissioner, through the contracting process
under section 256B.0756 shall allow the pilot program in Hennepin County to waive
co-payments. The value of the co-payments shall not be included in the capitation payment
amount to the integrated health care delivery networks under the pilot program.
new text begin
This section is effective January 1, 2023.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256L.03, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
(a) Co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles do not apply to
children under the age of 21 and to American Indians as defined in Code of Federal
Regulations, title 42, section 600.5.
(b) The commissioner shall adjust co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles for covered
services in a manner sufficient to maintain the actuarial value of the benefit to 94 percent.
The cost-sharing changes described in this paragraph do not apply to eligible recipients or
services exempt from cost-sharing under state law. The cost-sharing changes described in
this paragraph shall not be implemented prior to January 1, 2016.
(c) The cost-sharing changes authorized under paragraph (b) must satisfy the requirements
for cost-sharing under the Basic Health Program as set forth in Code of Federal Regulations,
title 42, sections 600.510 and 600.520.
new text begin
(d) Cost-sharing for prescription drugs and related medical supplies to treat chronic
disease must comply with the requirements of section 62Q.48.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective January 1, 2023.
new text end