HF 3671

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

A bill for an act
relating to human services; increasing reimbursements to primary care
physicians; determining areas of the state in need of primary care physicians;
appropriating money for primary care education initiatives; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256B.766] PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS REIMBURSEMENT
RATE INCREASE.
new text end

new text begin (a) Effective for physician services rendered on or after January 1, 2009, the
commissioner shall increase reimbursements to primary care physicians deemed by the
commissioner to meet the requirements in paragraph (b). Reimbursement may be increased
by not more than 50 percent above the reimbursement rate that would otherwise be paid to
the primary care provider. Payments to health plan companies shall be adjusted to reflect
increased reimbursement to primary care physicians as approved by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner, in collaboration with the Office of Rural Health, shall
determine areas of the state in need of primary care physicians. By September 1 of each
year, beginning September 1, 2008, the commissioner shall accept applications from
primary care physicians who agree to practice in a designated area for a period of no less
than five years. The commissioner shall determine participant eligibility based on their
suitability for practice serving a designated geographic area.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may reconsider the designated areas, as necessary. A primary
care physician who agrees to practice in a designated area shall receive the increased
reimbursement rates for at least a period of five years, unless the physician discontinues
practicing in the designated area during the five-year period.
new text end

new text begin (d) A health care clinic or medical group may submit applications under this section
for primary care physicians who will be hired to fill vacancies prior to filling the vacant
position.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; PRIMARY CARE EDUCATION INITIATIVES.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the health
care access fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, to expand
initiatives under Minnesota Statutes, sections 137.38 to 137.40, to increase the number of
graduates of residency programs who practice primary care.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the health
care access fund to the Mayo Medical Foundation for medical school initiatives to increase
the number of graduates of residency programs who practice primary care.
new text end

new text begin (c) $....... is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the health
care access fund to the Office of Higher Education to provide grants to schools of nursing
in Minnesota to increase the number of graduates of advanced practice registered nurse
programs.
new text end

new text begin (d) $....... is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the health
care access fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, to address faculty
shortages in primary care medicine.
new text end

new text begin (e) $....... is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the health
care access fund to the Mayo Medical Foundation, to address faculty shortages in primary
care medicine.
new text end

new text begin (f) $....... is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the health
care access fund to the Office of Higher Education to provide grants to schools of nursing
in Minnesota to address faculty shortages.
new text end