SF 2953

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/17/2023 08:39am

A bill for an act
relating to health care; modifying certification and practice requirements for
community emergency medical technicians; modifying medical assistance coverage
of community emergency medical technician services; amending Minnesota Statutes
2022, sections 144E.275, subdivision 7; 256B.0625, subdivision 60a.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 144E.275, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Community emergency medical technician.

(a) To be eligible for certification
by the board as a CEMT, an individual shall:

(1) be currently certified as an EMT or AEMT;

(2) have two years of service as an EMT or AEMT;

deleted text begin (3) be a member of:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) a registered medical response unit as defined under this section; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) a basic life support ambulance service that meets the requirements of section
144E.101, subdivision 6;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end successfully complete a CEMT education program new text begin that: (i) is new text end from a college deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end
university deleted text begin that deleted text end new text begin , or health care system providing CEMT care; and (ii) new text end has been approved by
the board or accredited by a board-approved national accrediting organization. The education
must include clinical experience under the supervision of the deleted text begin medical response unit or
ambulance service deleted text end new text begin physician new text end medical director new text begin of the program through which the CEMT is
providing services new text end , an advanced practice registered nurse, a physician assistant, or a public
health nurse operating under the direct authority of a local unit of government;

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end successfully complete an education program that includes education in providing
culturally appropriate care; and

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end complete a board-approved application form.

(b) A CEMT must practice in accordance with protocols and supervisory standards
established by the deleted text begin medical response unit or ambulance service deleted text end new text begin program's physician new text end medical
director deleted text begin in accordance with section 144E.265 deleted text end .

(c) A CEMT may provide services within the CEMT skill set as approved by the deleted text begin medical
response unit or ambulance service deleted text end new text begin program's physician new text end medical director.

(d) A CEMT may provide deleted text begin episodic deleted text end individual patient new text begin care, new text end education new text begin , new text end and prevention
education deleted text begin but only deleted text end as directed by a patient care plan developed by the patient's primary
physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant, in conjunction
with the deleted text begin medical response unit or ambulance service deleted text end new text begin program's physician new text end medical director
and relevant local health care providers. The patient care plan must ensure that the services
provided by the CEMT are consistent with services offered by the patient's health care home,
if one exists, that the patient receives the necessary services, and that there is no duplication
of services to the patient. new text begin CEMT services include health assessments, chronic disease
monitoring and education, vaccinations, laboratory specimen collection, and hospital
discharge follow-up care approved by the program's physician medical director.
new text end

new text begin (e) Services provided by a CEMT to a patient who is also receiving care coordination
services must be provided in consultation with the providers of the patient's care coordination
services.
new text end

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end A CEMT is subject to all certification, disciplinary, complaint, and other regulatory
requirements that apply to EMTs under this chapter. new text begin In addition to the renewal requirements
in section 144E.28, subdivision 7, a CEMT must complete an additional 12 hours of
continuing education in clinical topics approved by the program's physician medical director.
new text end

deleted text begin (f) A CEMT may not provide services as defined in section 144A.471, subdivisions 6
and 7, except a CEMT may provide verbal or visual reminders to the patient to:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) take a regularly scheduled medication, but not to provide or bring the patient
medication; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) follow regularly scheduled treatment or exercise plans.
deleted text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.0625, subdivision 60a, is amended to read:

Subd. 60a.

Community emergency medical technician services.

(a) Medical assistance
covers services provided by a community emergency medical technician (CEMT) who is
certified under section 144E.275, subdivision 7, when the services are provided in accordance
with this subdivision.

(b) A CEMT may provide a postdischarge visit, after discharge from a hospital or skilled
nursing facility, when ordered by a treating physician, advanced practice registered nurse,
or physician assistant. The postdischarge visit includes:

(1) verbal or visual reminders of discharge orders;

(2) recording and reporting of vital signs to the patient's primary care provider;

(3) medication access confirmation;

(4) food access confirmation; and

(5) identification of home hazards.

(c) An individual who has repeat ambulance calls due to falls or has been identified by
the individual's primary care provider as at risk for nursing home placement, may receive
a safety evaluation visit from a CEMT when ordered by a primary care provider in accordance
with the individual's care plan. A safety evaluation visit includes:

(1) medication access confirmation;

(2) food access confirmation; and

(3) identification of home hazards.

(d) A CEMT shall be paid at deleted text begin $9.75 deleted text end new text begin $100 per hour, billed at $25.00 new text end per 15-minute
increment new text begin and $1.25 per mile for mileage traveled to the individual's home only new text end . A safety
evaluation visit may not be billed for the same day as a postdischarge visit for the same
individual. new text begin In order to be paid under this subdivision, a CEMT must hold a Unique Minnesota
Provider Identifier (UMPI) number issued by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, or upon federal approval,
whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes
when federal approval is obtained.
new text end