SF 3507

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

A bill for an act
relating to human services; directing the commissioner of human services to
expand clinical pain and palliative care services for pediatric patients receiving
medical assistance; appropriating money; 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.0638] PAIN AND PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES FOR
CHILDREN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given:
new text end

new text begin (a) "Child" means a person 21 years of age or younger.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Terminal condition" means an illness or medical condition likely to result in
death before the age of 21 as determined by a physician.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Clinical pain and palliative care services" means pain and symptom management
services provided to a child with a terminal illness by a physician, registered nurse, or
licensed social worker.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Other core pain and palliative care services" means services designed to address
the psychosocial needs of children with a terminal condition including, but not limited to,
child life services, social work, chaplaincy, and bereavement services.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Eligible child" means a child receiving medical assistance under this chapter,
including waiver programs and prepaid medical assistance products (PMAPs).
new text end

new text begin (f) "Pediatric palliative care consultation" means consultation over the telephone
or in a hospital by a hospice physician, certified hospice nurse, or clinical social worker
trained in palliative or hospice care to provide clinical support and expertise related to
pain and symptom management.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Agency with expertise in pediatric pain and palliative care" means an agency
licensed as a hospice in the state providing two or more core services and having two or
more staff who have received formal, ongoing pediatric palliative care.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Palliative care services coverage. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall expand
coverage under the medical assistance program for eligible children receiving palliative
care consultation services and other core pain and palliative care services.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall provide coverage to reimburse pain and palliative care
services provided by a primary home care agency with expertise in pediatric palliative
care or as provided in conjunction with a secondary agency with expertise in pediatric
palliative care. When determined necessary by a physician, skilled nursing visits are
eligible for reimbursement regardless of home services already being received by an
eligible child including extended hours nursing, care provided by personal care attendants,
and other medical care provided in a home or group home setting. More than one agency
may be reimbursed under this section for services described in this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall provide coverage to reimburse other core pain and
palliative care services provided by an agency with expertise in pediatric pain and
palliative care including palliative care coordination provided in collaboration with a
medical home, psychosocial support services, child life services, bereavement services,
and support services provided by a chaplain.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall extend coverage for pediatric palliative care services to
all children, including children living in areas or institutions without pediatric palliative
care expertise. Medical assistance shall provide coverage to reimburse pain and palliative
care consultation services provided by an agency with expertise in pediatric pain and
palliative care in underserved areas, including: (1) direct consultation or education to
a home care agency, group home, hospital, or medical home for pain and symptom
management of an eligible child; and (2) consultations provided in person, electronically,
or by telephone to an eligible child and the child's family.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $420,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for the purposes of providing medical assistance
coverage for pain and palliative care services for children under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256B.0638, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) $35,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for the purposes of providing medical assistance
coverage for other core pain and palliative care services for children under Minnesota
Statutes, section 256B.0638, subdivision 2, paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (c) $35,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for the purposes of providing medical assistance
coverage for palliative care services for children in underserved areas under Minnesota
Statutes, section 256B.0638, subdivision 2, paragraph (d).
new text end