SF 4166

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/22/2022 08:48am

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing requirements to screen certain hospital patients
before discharge for eligibility for health coverage or assistance; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.586, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144.586, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Screening for eligibility for health coverage or assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) At any time
before discharging a patient, a hospital must screen a patient who is uninsured or who does
not know the patient's insurance coverage status for eligibility for charity care from the
hospital, eligibility for state or federal public health care programs using presumptive
eligibility or another similar process, and eligibility for a premium tax credit.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the patient is eligible for charity care from the hospital, the hospital must assist
the patient in applying for charity care and must refer the patient to the appropriate
department in the hospital for follow-up.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the patient is presumptively eligible for a public health care program, the hospital
must assist the patient in completing an insurance affordability program application or must
schedule an appointment for the patient with a navigator organization. If the patient is
eligible for a premium tax credit, the hospital must schedule an appointment for the patient
with a navigator organization.
new text end

new text begin (d) A patient may decline to participate in the screening process, to apply for charity
care, to complete an insurance affordability program application, or to schedule an
appointment with a navigator organization.
new text end

new text begin (e) For purposes of this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) "hospital" means a private, nonprofit, or municipal hospital licensed under sections
144.50 to 144.56;
new text end

new text begin (2) "navigator" has the meaning given in section 62V.02, subdivision 9;
new text end

new text begin (3) "premium tax credit" means a tax credit or premium subsidy under the federal Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, as amended, including the federal
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152, and any
amendments to and federal guidance and regulations issued under these acts; and
new text end

new text begin (4) "presumptive eligibility" has the meaning given in section 256B.057, subdivision
12.
new text end