HF 3689

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring coverage for, or provision of language interpreter
services for, health plan and medical assistance enrollees; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2004, section 256B.0625, subdivision 18a; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62Q.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [62Q.40] LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SERVICES.
new text end

new text begin A health plan must cover language interpreter services provided to a
non-English-speaking enrollee in order to facilitate the provision of health care services
by a provider or health care facility. For purposes of this section, "provider" has the same
meaning as provided under section 62J.03, subdivision 8; and "health plan" includes
coverage excluded under section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clauses (7), (9), and (10).
Language interpreter services may be provided in person or by telephone. A health plan
may provide language interpreter services directly to a non-English-speaking enrollee.
Where a provider or health care facility is required to provide or arrange for language
interpreter services for an enrollee, a health plan may require that interpreter services for
its enrollees be provided by interpreters approved and provided, by contract or otherwise,
by the health plan. Where a health plan does not have approved interpreters or provide
interpreter services for its enrollees, the health plan shall reimburse the party providing
interpretive services directly for the costs of language interpreter services provided
to the enrollee. Persons providing language interpreter services that are reimbursed by
a health plan must bill the health plan for such services and may not bill the provider
or health care facility providing or arranging for such services. Providers and health
care facilities that employ or contract with language interpreters may bill and shall be
reimbursed directly by health plan companies for such services. A health plan company
shall provide to enrollees, upon request, the policies and procedures for addressing the
needs of non-English-speaking enrollees.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall adopt the National Standards of Practice
for Interpreters in Health Care and establish a registry of spoken language interpreters that
lists interpreters meeting these standards. The registry will require verification that the
standards have been met through evidence of:
new text end

new text begin (1) proficiency in English and another working language, both oral and written;
new text end

new text begin (2) professional ethics;
new text end

new text begin (3) basic interpreting competencies; and
new text end

new text begin (4) knowledge of medical terminology.
new text end

new text begin The registry shall be established by September 1, 2007.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment
and applies to plans issued or renewed to provide coverage to Minnesota residents on or
after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256B.0625, subdivision 18a, is amended to
read:

Subd. 18a.

Access to medical services.

(a) Medical assistance reimbursement for
meals for persons traveling to receive medical care may not exceed $5.50 for breakfast,
$6.50 for lunch, or $8 for dinner.

(b) Medical assistance reimbursement for lodging for persons traveling to receive
medical care may not exceed $50 per day unless prior authorized by the local agency.

(c) Medical assistance direct mileage reimbursement to the eligible person or the
eligible person's driver may not exceed 20 cents per mile.

(d) Medical assistance covers oral language interpreter services when provided by
an enrolled health care provider deleted text begin during the course of providing a direct, person-to-person
covered health care service to an enrolled recipient deleted text end new text begin that assists an enrollee new text end with limited
English proficiency new text begin in obtaining covered health care services new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end