SF 370

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/23/2012 08:45am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; directing the commissioner of human services to
develop a proposal to create a single administrative structure for the delivery of
medical nonemergency transportation services in the medical assistance program.

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

Section 1. MEDICAL NONEMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SINGLE
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE PROPOSAL.

(a) The commissioner of human services shall develop a proposal to create a single
administrative structure for providing medical nonemergency transportation services to
fee-for-service medical assistance recipients. This proposal must consolidate access and
special transportation into one administrative structure with the goal of standardizing
eligibility determination processes, scheduling arrangements, billing procedures, data
collection, and oversight mechanisms in order to enhance coordination, improve
accountability, and lessen confusion.

(b) In developing the proposal, the commissioner shall:

(1) examine the current responsibilities performed by the counties and the
Department of Human Services and consider the shift in costs if these responsibilities are
changed;

(2) identify key performance measures to assess the cost effectiveness of medical
nonemergency transportation statewide, including a process to collect, audit, and report
data;

(3) develop a statewide complaint system for medical assistance recipients using
special transportation;

(4) establish a standardized billing process;

(5) establish a process that provides public input from interested parties before
special transportation eligibility policies are implemented or significantly changed;

(6) establish specific eligibility criteria that include the frequency of eligibility
assessments and the length of time a recipient remains eligible for special transportation;
and

(7) develop a reimbursement method to compensate volunteers for no-load miles
when transporting recipients to or from health-related appointments.

(c) In developing the proposal, the commissioner shall consult with the
commissioner of transportation and representatives of the Minnesota State Council on
Disability, the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, the Arc of Minnesota,
the Association of Minnesota Counties, and transportation providers.

(d) The commissioner shall submit the proposal and draft legislation necessary for
implementation to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of
representatives committees or divisions with jurisdiction over health care policy and
finance by January 15, 2012.