SF 827

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring coverage for interpreter services for health plan
and medical assistance enrollees; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, 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) A health plan must cover sign language interpreter services provided to deaf and
hard-of-hearing enrollees and language interpreter services provided to enrollees with
limited English proficiency 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 meaning
given in section 62J.03, subdivision 8; and "health plan" includes coverage excluded under
62A.011, subdivision 3, clauses (7), (9), and (10). Interpreter services may be provided in
person, by telephone, or by video conference. The health plan company shall reimburse
either the party providing interpreter services directly for the costs of language interpreter
services provided to the enrollee or the provider or health care facility arranging for
the provision of interpreter services. Providers and health care facilities that employ
or contract with interpreters may bill the health plan company and shall be reimbursed
directly by the health plan company for such services. A health plan company shall not
be required to provide reimbursement for interpreter services when the patient does not
keep the appointment. Except where health plan companies are already reimbursing
a party providing or a provider or health care facility arranging for interpreter services,
required reimbursement by health plan companies for interpreter services shall be phased
in over a three-year period with a third of the cost reimbursed the first year, two-thirds
of the cost reimbursed the second year, and full reimbursement the third year. A health
plan company shall provide to enrollees, upon request, the policies and procedures for
addressing the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing enrollees and enrollees with limited
English proficiency. All entities providing interpreter services must disclose their methods
for ensuring competency upon request of any health plan company, provider, or consumer.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of human services shall adopt the National Standards of
Practice for Interpreters in Health Care and establish a registry of interpreters that lists
interpreters meeting these standards. The registry shall 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,
and signing as applicable;
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 (c) The registry shall be established by September 1, 2008.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, 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 .

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective August 1, 2007, and applies to plans issued or renewed to
provide coverage to Minnesota residents on or after that date. Section 2 is effective
August 1, 2007.
new text end