HF 3442

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/08/2010 09:22am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying personal care assistance requirements;
modifying nursing assistant requirements; modifying housing with services
registration fees and certain other license fees; requiring long-term care
transitional assistance; modifying customized living services; modifying
housing with services; changing the rate a nursing facility may charge a
private-pay resident; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 144A.4605,
subdivision 5; 144A.61, by adding a subdivision; 144D.03, subdivisions 1,
2, by adding a subdivision; 144D.04, subdivision 2; 144G.06; 256B.0915,
by adding a subdivision; 256B.441, subdivision 48, by adding subdivisions;
256B.48, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, sections 256.975,
subdivision 7; 256B.0625, subdivision 19a; 256B.0659, subdivision 11;
256B.0911, subdivision 3c; 256B.441, subdivision 55; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144D.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144A.4605, subdivision 5, is amended to
read:

Subd. 5.

License fees.

The license fees for class F home care providers shall be
as follows:

(1) deleted text begin $125 deleted text end new text begin $250 new text end annually for those providers serving a monthly average of 15 or fewer
clients, and for class F providers of all sizes during the first year of operation;

(2) deleted text begin $200 deleted text end new text begin $400 new text end annually for those providers serving a monthly average of 16 to
30 clients;

(3) deleted text begin $375 deleted text end new text begin $750 new text end annually for those providers serving a monthly average of 31 to
50 clients; and

(4) deleted text begin $625 deleted text end new text begin $1,250 new text end annually for those providers serving a monthly average of 51 or
more clients.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144A.61, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Registry fee. new text end

new text begin Nursing assistants required to register with the Department
of Health shall pay a $50 annual registration fee. All fee revenue collected under this
subdivision shall be deposited into the state general fund.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2010.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144D.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Registration procedures.

The commissioner shall establish forms
and procedures for annual registration of housing with services establishments. The
commissioner shall charge an annual registration fee of deleted text begin $155 deleted text end new text begin $2,000 new text end . No fee shall be
refunded. A registered establishment shall notify the commissioner within 30 days of the
date it is no longer required to be registered under this chapter or of any change in the
business name or address of the establishment, the name or mailing address of the owner
or owners, or the name or mailing address of the managing agent. There shall be no
fee for submission of the notice. new text begin All fee revenue collected under this subdivision shall
be deposited into the state general fund.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144D.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Registration information.

The establishment shall provide the following
information to the commissioner in order to be registered:

(1) the business name, street address, and mailing address of the establishment;

(2) the name and mailing address of the owner or owners of the establishment and, if
the owner or owners are not natural persons, identification of the type of business entity
of the owner or owners, and the names and addresses of the officers and members of the
governing body, or comparable persons for partnerships, limited liability corporations, or
other types of business organizations of the owner or owners;

(3) the name and mailing address of the managing agent, whether through
management agreement or lease agreement, of the establishment, if different from the
owner or owners, and the name of the on-site manager, if any;

(4) verification that the establishment has entered into a housing with services
contract, as required in section 144D.04, with each resident or resident's representative;

(5) verification that the establishment is complying with the requirements of section
325F.72, if applicable;

(6) the name and address of at least one natural person who shall be responsible
for dealing with the commissioner on all matters provided for in sections 144D.01 to
144D.06, and on whom personal service of all notices and orders shall be made, and who
shall be authorized to accept service on behalf of the owner or owners and the managing
agent, if any; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(7) the signature of the authorized representative of the owner or owners or, if
the owner or owners are not natural persons, signatures of at least two authorized
representatives of each owner, one of which shall be an officer of the owner new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (8) whether services are included in the base rate to be paid by the resident new text end .

Personal service on the person identified under clause (6) by the owner or owners in
the registration shall be considered service on the owner or owners, and it shall not be a
defense to any action that personal service was not made on each individual or entity. The
designation of one or more individuals under this subdivision shall not affect the legal
responsibility of the owner or owners under sections 144D.01 to 144D.06.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144D.03, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Certificate of transitional consultation. new text end

new text begin A housing with services
establishment shall not execute a contract or allow a prospective resident to move in until
the establishment has received certification from the Senior LinkAge Line that transition
to housing with services consultation under section 256B.0911, subdivision 3c, has been
completed. The housing with services establishment shall maintain copies of contracts
and certificates for audit for a period of three years.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144D.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Contents of contract.

A housing with services contract, which need not be
entitled as such to comply with this section, shall include at least the following elements
in itself or through supporting documents or attachments:

(1) the name, street address, and mailing address of the establishment;

(2) the name and mailing address of the owner or owners of the establishment and, if
the owner or owners is not a natural person, identification of the type of business entity
of the owner or owners;

(3) the name and mailing address of the managing agent, through management
agreement or lease agreement, of the establishment, if different from the owner or owners;

(4) the name and address of at least one natural person who is authorized to accept
service of process on behalf of the owner or owners and managing agent;

(5) a statement describing the registration and licensure status of the establishment
and any provider providing health-related or supportive services under an arrangement
with the establishment;

(6) the term of the contract;

(7) a description of the services to be provided to the resident in the base rate to be
paid by resident new text begin , including a delineation of the portion of the base rate that constitutes rent
and a delineation of charges for each service included in the base rate new text end ;

(8) a description of any additional services, including home care services, available
for an additional fee from the establishment directly or through arrangements with the
establishment, and a schedule of fees charged for these services;

(9) a description of the process through which the contract may be modified,
amended, or terminated;

(10) a description of the establishment's complaint resolution process available
to residents including the toll-free complaint line for the Office of Ombudsman for
Long-Term Care;

(11) the resident's designated representative, if any;

(12) the establishment's referral procedures if the contract is terminated;

(13) requirements of residency used by the establishment to determine who may
reside or continue to reside in the housing with services establishment;

(14) billing and payment procedures and requirements;

(15) a statement regarding the ability of residents to receive services from service
providers with whom the establishment does not have an arrangement;

(16) a statement regarding the availability of public funds for payment for residence
or services in the establishment; and

(17) a statement regarding the availability of and contact information for
long-term care consultation services under section 256B.0911 in the county in which the
establishment is located.

Sec. 7.

new text begin [144D.08] UNIFORM CONSUMER INFORMATION GUIDE.
new text end

new text begin All housing with services establishments shall make available to all prospective
and current residents information consistent with the uniform format and the required
components adopted by the commissioner under section 144G.06.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [144D.09] TERMINATION OF LEASE.
new text end

new text begin The housing with services establishment shall include with notice of termination
of lease information about how to contact the ombudsman for long-term care, including
the address and phone number along with a statement of how to request problem solving
assistance.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144G.06, is amended to read:

144G.06 UNIFORM CONSUMER INFORMATION GUIDE.

(a) The commissioner of health shall establish an advisory committee consisting
of representatives of consumers, providers, county and state officials, and other
groups the commissioner considers appropriate. The advisory committee shall present
recommendations to the commissioner on:

(1) a format for a guide to be used by individual providers of assisted living, as
defined in section 144G.01, that includes information about services offered by that
provider, new text begin which services may be covered by Medicare, new text end service costs, and other relevant
provider-specific information, as well as a statement of philosophy and values associated
with assisted living, presented in uniform categories that facilitate comparison with guides
issued by other providers; and

(2) requirements for informing assisted living clients, as defined in section 144G.01,
of their applicable legal rights.

(b) The commissioner, after reviewing the recommendations of the advisory
committee, shall adopt a uniform format for the guide to be used by individual providers,
and the required components of materials to be used by providers to inform assisted
living clients of their legal rights, and shall make the uniform format and the required
components available to assisted living providers.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 256.975, subdivision 7, is
amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Consumer information and assistance and long-term care options
counseling; Senior LinkAge Line.

(a) The Minnesota Board on Aging shall operate a
statewide service to aid older Minnesotans and their families in making informed choices
about long-term care options and health care benefits. Language services to persons with
limited English language skills may be made available. The service, known as Senior
LinkAge Line, must be available during business hours through a statewide toll-free
number and must also be available through the Internet.

(b) The service must provide long-term care options counseling by assisting older
adults, caregivers, and providers in accessing information and options counseling about
choices in long-term care services that are purchased through private providers or available
through public options. The service must:

(1) develop a comprehensive database that includes detailed listings in both
consumer- and provider-oriented formats;

(2) make the database accessible on the Internet and through other telecommunication
and media-related tools;

(3) link callers to interactive long-term care screening tools and make these tools
available through the Internet by integrating the tools with the database;

(4) develop community education materials with a focus on planning for long-term
care and evaluating independent living, housing, and service options;

(5) conduct an outreach campaign to assist older adults and their caregivers in
finding information on the Internet and through other means of communication;

(6) implement a messaging system for overflow callers and respond to these callers
by the next business day;

(7) link callers with county human services and other providers to receive more
in-depth assistance and consultation related to long-term care options;

(8) link callers with quality profiles for nursing facilities and other providers
developed by the commissioner of health;

(9) incorporate information about new text begin the availability of new text end housing new text begin options, as well as
registered housing new text end with services and consumer rights within the MinnesotaHelp.info
network long-term care database to facilitate consumer comparison of services and costs
among housing with services establishments and with other in-home services and to
support financial self-sufficiency as long as possible. Housing with services establishments
and their arranged home care providers shall provide deleted text begin information to the commissioner
of human services that is consistent with information required by the commissioner of
health under section 144G.06, the Uniform Consumer Information Guide deleted text end new text begin information that
will facilitate price comparisons, including delineation of charges for rent and for services
available. The commissioners of health and human services shall align the data elements
required by section 144G.06, the Uniform Consumer Information Guide, and this section
to provide consumers standardized information and ease of comparison of long-term care
options new text end . The commissioner of human services shall provide the data to the Minnesota
Board on Aging for inclusion in the MinnesotaHelp.info network long-term care database;

(10) provide long-term care options counseling. Long-term care options counselors
shall:

(i) for individuals not eligible for case management under a public program or public
funding source, provide interactive decision support under which consumers, family
members, or other helpers are supported in their deliberations to determine appropriate
long-term care choices in the context of the consumer's needs, preferences, values, and
individual circumstances, including implementing a community support plan;

(ii) provide Web-based educational information and collateral written materials to
familiarize consumers, family members, or other helpers with the long-term care basics,
issues to be considered, and the range of options available in the community;

(iii) provide long-term care futures planning, which means providing assistance to
individuals who anticipate having long-term care needs to develop a plan for the more
distant future; and

(iv) provide expertise in benefits and financing options for long-term care, including
Medicare, long-term care insurance, tax or employer-based incentives, reverse mortgages,
private pay options, and ways to access low or no-cost services or benefits through
volunteer-based or charitable programs; and

(11) using risk management and support planning protocols, provide long-term care
options counseling to current residents of nursing homes deemed appropriate for discharge
by the commissioner. In order to meet this requirement, the commissioner shall provide
designated Senior LinkAge Line contact centers with a list of nursing home residents
appropriate for discharge planning via a secure Web portal. Senior LinkAge Line shall
provide these residents, if they indicate a preference to receive long-term care options
counseling, with initial assessment, review of risk factors, independent living support
consultation, or referral to:

(i) long-term care consultation services under section 256B.0911;

(ii) designated care coordinators of contracted entities under section 256B.035 for
persons who are enrolled in a managed care plan; or

(iii) the long-term care consultation team for those who are appropriate for relocation
service coordination due to high-risk factors or psychological or physical disability.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a,
is amended to read:

Subd. 19a.

Personal care assistance services.

Medical assistance covers personal
care assistance services in a recipient's home. Effective January 1, 2010, to qualify for
personal care assistance services, a recipient must require assistance and be determined
dependent in one activity of daily living as defined in section 256B.0659, subdivision 1,
paragraph (b), or in a Level I behavior as defined in section 256B.0659, subdivision
1, paragraph (c). Beginning July 1, deleted text begin 2011 deleted text end new text begin 2010 new text end , to qualify for personal care assistance
services, a recipient must require assistance and be determined dependent in at least two
activities of daily living as defined in section 256B.0659. Recipients or responsible parties
must be able to identify the recipient's needs, direct and evaluate task accomplishment,
and provide for health and safety. Approved hours may be used outside the home when
normal life activities take them outside the home. To use personal care assistance services
at school, the recipient or responsible party must provide written authorization in the care
plan identifying the chosen provider and the daily amount of services to be used at school.
Total hours for services, whether actually performed inside or outside the recipient's
home, cannot exceed that which is otherwise allowed for personal care assistance services
in an in-home setting according to sections 256B.0651 to 256B.0656. Medical assistance
does not cover personal care assistance services for residents of a hospital, nursing facility,
intermediate care facility, health care facility licensed by the commissioner of health, or
unless a resident who is otherwise eligible is on leave from the facility and the facility
either pays for the personal care assistance services or forgoes the facility per diem for the
leave days that personal care assistance services are used. All personal care assistance
services must be provided according to sections 256B.0651 to 256B.0656. Personal care
assistance services may not be reimbursed if the personal care assistant is the spouse or
paid guardian of the recipient or the parent of a recipient under age 18, or the responsible
party or the family foster care provider of a recipient who cannot direct the recipient's own
care unless, in the case of a foster care provider, a county or state case manager visits
the recipient as needed, but not less than every six months, to monitor the health and
safety of the recipient and to ensure the goals of the care plan are met. Notwithstanding
the provisions of section 256B.0659, the unpaid guardian or conservator of an adult,
who is not the responsible party and not the personal care provider organization, may be
reimbursed to provide personal care assistance services to the recipient if the guardian or
conservator meets all criteria for a personal care assistant according to section 256B.0659,
and shall not be considered to have a service provider interest for purposes of participation
on the screening team under section 256B.092, subdivision 7.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 256B.0659, subdivision 11,
is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Personal care assistant; requirements.

(a) A personal care assistant
must meet the following requirements:

(1) be at least 18 years of age with the exception of persons who are 16 or 17 years
of age with these additional requirements:

(i) supervision by a qualified professional every 60 days; and

(ii) employment by only one personal care assistance provider agency responsible
for compliance with current labor laws;

(2) be employed by a personal care assistance provider agency;

(3) enroll with the department as a personal care assistant after clearing a background
study new text begin and pay an annual $50 registration fee to the department. All fee revenue collected
under this subdivision shall be deposited into the state general fund new text end . Before a personal
care assistant provides services, the personal care assistance provider agency must initiate
a background study on the personal care assistant under chapter 245C, and the personal
care assistance provider agency must have received a notice from the commissioner that
the personal care assistant is:

(i) not disqualified under section 245C.14; or

(ii) is disqualified, but the personal care assistant has received a set aside of the
disqualification under section 245C.22;

(4) be able to effectively communicate with the recipient and personal care
assistance provider agency;

(5) be able to provide covered personal care assistance services according to the
recipient's personal care assistance care plan, respond appropriately to recipient needs,
and report changes in the recipient's condition to the supervising qualified professional
or physician;

(6) not be a consumer of personal care assistance services;

(7) maintain daily written records including, but not limited to, time sheets under
subdivision 12;

(8) effective January 1, 2010, complete standardized training as determined by the
commissioner before completing enrollment. Personal care assistant training must include
successful completion of the following training components: basic first aid, vulnerable
adult, child maltreatment, OSHA universal precautions, basic roles and responsibilities of
personal care assistants including information about assistance with lifting and transfers
for recipients, emergency preparedness, orientation to positive behavioral practices, fraud
issues, and completion of time sheets. Upon completion of the training components,
the personal care assistant must demonstrate the competency to provide assistance to
recipients;

(9) complete training and orientation on the needs of the recipient within the first
seven days after the services begin; and

(10) be limited to providing and being paid for up to 310 hours per month of personal
care assistance services regardless of the number of recipients being served or the number
of personal care assistance provider agencies enrolled with.

(b) A legal guardian may be a personal care assistant if the guardian is not being paid
for the guardian services and meets the criteria for personal care assistants in paragraph (a).

(c) Effective January 1, 2010, persons who do not qualify as a personal care assistant
include parents and stepparents of minors, spouses, paid legal guardians, family foster
care providers, except as otherwise allowed in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, or
staff of a residential setting.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2010.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 256B.0911, subdivision 3c,
is amended to read:

Subd. 3c.

Transition to housing with services.

(a) Housing with services
establishments deleted text begin offering or providing assisted living under chapter 144G deleted text end shall inform
all prospective residents of the deleted text begin availability of and contact information for transitional
consultation services under this subdivision prior to executing a lease or contract with the
prospective resident deleted text end new text begin requirement to contact the Senior LinkAge Line for long-term care
options counseling and transitional consultation. The Senior LinkAge Line shall provide
a certificate to the prospective resident and also send a copy of the certificate to the
housing with services establishment that the prospective resident chooses, verifying that
consultation has been provided. The housing with services establishment shall not execute
a contract or allow a prospective resident to move in until the establishment has received
certification from the Senior LinkAge Line. The housing with services establishment shall
maintain copies of contracts and certificates for audit for a period of three years new text end . The
purpose of transitional long-term care consultation is to support persons with current
or anticipated long-term care needs in making informed choices among options that
include the most cost-effective and least restrictive settings, and to delay spenddown to
eligibility for publicly funded programs by connecting people to alternative services in
their homes before transition to housing with services. Regardless of the consultation,
prospective residents maintain the right to choose housing with services or assisted living
if that option is their preference.

(b) Transitional consultation services are provided as determined by the
commissioner of human services in partnership with county long-term care consultation
units deleted text begin , and the Area Agencies on Aging deleted text end new text begin under section 144D.03, subdivision 3 new text end , and
are a combination of telephone-based and in-person assistance provided under models
developed by the commissioner. The consultation shall be performed in a manner that
provides objective and complete information. Transitional consultation must be provided
within five working days of the request of the prospective resident as follows:

(1) the consultation must be provided by a qualified professional as determined by
the commissioner;

(2) the consultation must include a review of the prospective resident's reasons for
considering assisted living, the prospective resident's personal goals, a discussion of the
prospective resident's immediate and projected long-term care needs, and alternative
community services or assisted living settings that may meet the prospective resident's
needs; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(3) the prospective resident shall be informed of the availability of long-term care
consultation services described in subdivision 3a that are available at no charge to the
prospective resident to assist the prospective resident in assessment and planning to meet
the prospective resident's long-term care needs. The Senior LinkAge Line and long-term
care consultation team shall give the highest priority to referrals who are at highest risk of
nursing facility placement or as needed for determining eligibility deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (4) a prospective resident does not include a person moving from the community
to housing with services during nonworking hours when:
new text end

new text begin (i) the move is based on a recent precipitating event that precludes the person from
living safely in the community, such as sustaining an injury or the caregiver's inability to
provide needed care; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) the Senior LinkAge Line is contacted on the first working day following the
nonworking day move to the registered housing with services.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0915, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3i. new text end

new text begin Rate reduction for customized living and 24-hour customized living
services. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall array counties by the number of housing with
services beds per 1,000 individuals age 65 and over, calculated based on each individual
county and contiguous counties. The commissioner shall then divide counties based upon
this measure of housing with services bed concentration into three groups of near equal
size: low, medium, and high concentration.
new text end

new text begin (b) Effective July 1, 2010, the commissioner shall reduce payment rates for
customized living services and 24-hour customized living services, from the rates in
effect on June 30, 2010, by:
new text end

new text begin (1) ... percent for facilities located in counties classified as having a low
concentration of housing with services beds;
new text end

new text begin (2) ... percent for facilities located in counties classified as having a medium
concentration of housing with services beds; and
new text end

new text begin (3) ... percent for facilities located in counties classified as having a high
concentration of housing with services beds.
new text end

new text begin (c) Effective January 1, 2011, the commissioner shall reduce capitation rates paid to
managed care and county-based purchasing plans under sections 256B.69 and 256B.692
to reflect this reduction. The commissioner shall reduce capitation rates for the period
January 1, 2011, through June 30, 2011, to provide savings equivalent to applying the
percentage reductions in paragraph (b) for all of fiscal year 2011.
new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.441, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 24a. new text end

new text begin Medicare costs. new text end

new text begin For purposes of computing rates under this section for
rate years beginning on or after October 1, 2010, "Medicare costs" means 70.4 percent of
Medicare part A and part B revenues received during the reporting year.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.441, subdivision 48, is amended to
read:

Subd. 48.

Calculation of operating per diems.

The direct care per diem for
each facility shall be the facility's direct care costs divided by its standardized days.
The other care-related per diem shall be the sum of the facility's activities costs, other
direct care costs, raw food costs, therapy costs, and social services costs, divided by the
facility's resident days. The other operating per diem shall be the sum of the facility's
administrative costs, dietary costs, housekeeping costs, laundry costs, and maintenance
and plant operations costs divided by the facility's resident days. new text begin For rate years beginning
on or after October 1, 2010, the calculations of the direct care per diem, other care-related
per diem, and other operating per diem shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) have allowable costs reduced by Medicare costs as defined in subdivision 24a.
The Medicare costs must be allocated between per diems for direct care, other care-related,
and other operating based on a ratio of allowable expenses from the cost report; and
new text end

new text begin (2) have resident days and standardized days computed without using days paid
by Medicare.
new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 256B.441, subdivision 55,
is amended to read:

Subd. 55.

Phase-in of rebased operating payment rates.

(a) For the rate years
beginning October 1, 2008, to October 1, 2015, the operating payment rate calculated
under this section shall be phased in by blending the operating rate with the operating
payment rate determined under section 256B.434. For purposes of this subdivision, the
rate to be used that is determined under section 256B.434 shall not include the portion of
the operating payment rate related to performance-based incentive payments under section
256B.434, subdivision 4, paragraph (d). For the rate year beginning October 1, 2008, the
operating payment rate for each facility shall be 13 percent of the operating payment rate
from this section, and 87 percent of the operating payment rate from section 256B.434.
For the rate year beginning October 1, 2009, the operating payment rate for each facility
shall be 14 percent of the operating payment rate from this section, and 86 percent of
the operating payment rate from section 256B.434. deleted text begin For rate years beginning October 1,
2010; October 1, 2011; and October 1, 2012, no rate adjustments shall be implemented
under this section, but shall be determined under section 256B.434. deleted text end new text begin For the rate year
beginning October 1, 2010, the operating payment rate for each facility shall be 14 percent
of the operating payment rate from this section, and 86 percent of the operating payment
rate from section 256B.434. For the rate year beginning October 1, 2011, the operating
payment rate for each facility shall be 31 percent of the operating payment rate from this
section, and 69 percent of the operating payment rate from section 256B.434. For the rate
year beginning October 1, 2012, the operating payment rate for each facility shall be 48
percent of the operating payment rate from this section, and 52 percent of the operating
payment rate from section 256B.434. new text end For the rate year beginning October 1, 2013, the
operating payment rate for each facility shall be 65 percent of the operating payment rate
from this section, and 35 percent of the operating payment rate from section 256B.434.
For the rate year beginning October 1, 2014, the operating payment rate for each facility
shall be 82 percent of the operating payment rate from this section, and 18 percent of the
operating payment rate from section 256B.434. For the rate year beginning October 1,
2015, the operating payment rate for each facility shall be the operating payment rate
determined under this section. The blending of operating payment rates under this section
shall be performed separately for each RUG's class.

(b) For the rate year beginning October 1, 2008, the commissioner shall apply limits
to the operating payment rate increases under paragraph (a) by creating a minimum
percentage increase and a maximum percentage increase.

(1) Each nursing facility that receives a blended October 1, 2008, operating payment
rate increase under paragraph (a) of less than one percent, when compared to its operating
payment rate on September 30, 2008, computed using rates with RUG's weight of 1.00,
shall receive a rate adjustment of one percent.

(2) The commissioner shall determine a maximum percentage increase that will
result in savings equal to the cost of allowing the minimum increase in clause (1). Nursing
facilities with a blended October 1, 2008, operating payment rate increase under paragraph
(a) greater than the maximum percentage increase determined by the commissioner, when
compared to its operating payment rate on September 30, 2008, computed using rates with
a RUG's weight of 1.00, shall receive the maximum percentage increase.

(3) Nursing facilities with a blended October 1, 2008, operating payment rate
increase under paragraph (a) greater than one percent and less than the maximum
percentage increase determined by the commissioner, when compared to its operating
payment rate on September 30, 2008, computed using rates with a RUG's weight of 1.00,
shall receive the blended October 1, 2008, operating payment rate increase determined
under paragraph (a).

(4) The October 1, 2009, through October 1, 2015, operating payment rate for
facilities receiving the maximum percentage increase determined in clause (2) shall be
the amount determined under paragraph (a) less the difference between the amount
determined under paragraph (a) for October 1, 2008, and the amount allowed under clause
(2). This rate restriction does not apply to rate increases provided in any other section.

(c) A portion of the funds received under this subdivision that are in excess of
operating payment rates that a facility would have received under section 256B.434, as
determined in accordance with clauses (1) to (3), shall be subject to the requirements in
section 256B.434, subdivision 19, paragraphs (b) to (h).

(1) Determine the amount of additional funding available to a facility, which shall be
equal to total medical assistance resident days from the most recent reporting year times
the difference between the blended rate determined in paragraph (a) for the rate year being
computed and the blended rate for the prior year.

(2) Determine the portion of all operating costs, for the most recent reporting year,
that are compensation related. If this value exceeds 75 percent, use 75 percent.

(3) Subtract the amount determined in clause (2) from 75 percent.

(4) The portion of the fund received under this subdivision that shall be subject to
the requirements in section 256B.434, subdivision 19, paragraphs (b) to (h), shall equal
the amount determined in clause (1) times the amount determined in clause (3).

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.441, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 60. new text end

new text begin Nursing facility rate reduction. new text end

new text begin (a) Effective for the rate year beginning
October 1, 2010, the commissioner shall reduce the operating payment rates of nursing
facilities reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434 by the following percentages
after any blending and rebasing of rates under subdivision 55:
new text end

new text begin (1) a reduction of three percent for facilities with 50 percent or more of patient days
reimbursed through private pay;
new text end

new text begin (2) a reduction of two percent for facilities with greater than 25 percent but less than
50 percent of patient days reimbursed through private pay; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a reduction of one percent for facilities with 25 percent or less of patient days
reimbursed through private pay.
new text end

new text begin (b) In determining the percentage of private-pay patient days, the commissioner shall
use data from the reporting period ending September 30, 2009.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Prohibited practices.

A nursing facility is not eligible to receive
medical assistance payments unless it refrains from all of the following:

(a) Charging private paying residents rates for similar services which exceed those
which are approved by the state agency for medical assistance recipients as determined by
the prospective desk audit rate, except under the following circumstances:

new text begin (1) new text end the nursing facility may deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end charge private paying residents a higher rate for a
private room deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ; new text end and deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (ii) new text end charge for special services which are not included in the daily
rate if medical assistance residents are charged separately at the same rate for the same
services in addition to the daily rate paid by the commissioner deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) effective July 1, 2010, nursing facilities may charge private paying residents
rates up to two percent higher than the allowable payment rate in effect on June 30, 2010,
plus an adjustment equal to any other rate increase provided in law, for the RUGs group
currently assigned to the resident;
new text end

new text begin (3) effective October 1, 2011, nursing facilities may charge private paying residents
rates up to four percent higher than the allowable payment rate in effect on September 30,
2011, plus an adjustment equal to any other rate increase provided in law, for the RUGs
group currently assigned to the resident; and
new text end

new text begin (4) effective October 1, 2012, nursing facilities may charge private paying residents
rates up to six percent higher than the allowable payment rate in effect on September 30,
2012, plus an adjustment equal to any other rate increase provided in law, for the RUGs
group currently assigned to the resident.
new text end

new text begin For purposes of this subdivision, the allowable payment rate under section 256B.434
includes adjustments for enhanced rates during the first 30 days under section 256B.431,
subdivision 32, and private room differentials under clause (1), item (i), and Minnesota
Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, item C. Nothing in this section precludes a nursing
facility from charging a rate allowable under the facility's single room election option
under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11. new text end Services covered by the payment rate
must be the same regardless of payment source. Special services, if offered, must be
available to all residents in all areas of the nursing facility and charged separately at the
same rate. Residents are free to select or decline special services. Special services must
not include services which must be provided by the nursing facility in order to comply with
licensure or certification standards and that if not provided would result in a deficiency or
violation by the nursing facility. Services beyond those required to comply with licensure
or certification standards must not be charged separately as a special service if they were
included in the payment rate for the previous reporting year. A nursing facility that charges
a private paying resident a rate in violation of this clause is subject to an action by the state
of Minnesota or any of its subdivisions or agencies for civil damages. A private paying
resident or the resident's legal representative has a cause of action for civil damages against
a nursing facility that charges the resident rates in violation of this clause. The damages
awarded shall include three times the payments that result from the violation, together with
costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys' fees or their equivalent. A private
paying resident or the resident's legal representative, the state, subdivision or agency, or a
nursing facility may request a hearing to determine the allowed rate or rates at issue in
the cause of action. Within 15 calendar days after receiving a request for such a hearing,
the commissioner shall request assignment of an administrative law judge under sections
14.48 to 14.56 to conduct the hearing as soon as possible or according to agreement by
the parties. The administrative law judge shall issue a report within 15 calendar days
following the close of the hearing. The prohibition set forth in this clause shall not
apply to facilities licensed as boarding care facilities which are not certified as skilled or
intermediate care facilities level I or II for reimbursement through medical assistance.

(b) new text begin Effective October 1, 2013, paragraph (a) no longer applies, except that special
services, if offered, must be available to all residents of the nursing facility and charged
separately at the same rate. Residents are free to select or decline special services. Special
services must not include services that must be provided by the nursing facility in order to
comply with licensure or certification standards and that, if not provided, would result in a
deficiency or violation by the nursing facility.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end (1) Charging, soliciting, accepting, or receiving from an applicant for admission
to the facility, or from anyone acting in behalf of the applicant, as a condition of
admission, expediting the admission, or as a requirement for the individual's continued
stay, any fee, deposit, gift, money, donation, or other consideration not otherwise required
as payment under the state plan new text begin . For residents on medical assistance, medical assistance
payment according to the state plan must be accepted as payment in full for continued
stay, except where otherwise provided for under statute new text end ;

(2) requiring an individual, or anyone acting in behalf of the individual, to loan
any money to the nursing facility;

(3) requiring an individual, or anyone acting in behalf of the individual, to promise
to leave all or part of the individual's estate to the facility; or

(4) requiring a third-party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of
admission, expedited admission, or continued stay in the facility.

Nothing in this paragraph would prohibit discharge for nonpayment of services in
accordance with state and federal regulations.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end Requiring any resident of the nursing facility to utilize a vendor of health
care services chosen by the nursing facility. A nursing facility may require a resident
to use pharmacies that utilize unit dose packing systems approved by the Minnesota
Board of Pharmacy, and may require a resident to use pharmacies that are able to meet
the federal regulations for safe and timely administration of medications such as systems
with specific number of doses, prompt delivery of medications, or access to medications
on a 24-hour basis. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, nursing facilities
shall not restrict a resident's choice of pharmacy because the pharmacy utilizes a specific
system of unit dose drug packing.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Providing differential treatment on the basis of status with regard to public
assistance.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end Discriminating in admissions, services offered, or room assignment on the
basis of status with regard to public assistance deleted text begin or refusal to purchase special services deleted text end .
new text begin Discrimination in new text end admissions deleted text begin discrimination deleted text end shall include, but is not limited to deleted text begin :
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end basing admissions decisions upon deleted text begin assurance by the applicant to the nursing
facility, or the applicant's guardian or conservator, that the applicant is neither eligible for
nor will seek deleted text end new text begin information or assurances regarding current or future eligibility for new text end public
assistance for payment of nursing facility care deleted text begin costs; and deleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (2) engaging in preferential selection from waiting lists based on an applicant's
ability to pay privately or an applicant's refusal to pay for a special service.
deleted text end

The collection and use by a nursing facility of financial information of any applicant
pursuant to a preadmission screening program established by law shall not raise an
inference that the nursing facility is utilizing that information for any purpose prohibited
by this paragraph.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end Requiring any vendor of medical care as defined by section 256B.02,
subdivision 7, who is reimbursed by medical assistance under a separate fee schedule,
to pay any amount based on utilization or service levels or any portion of the vendor's
fee to the nursing facility except as payment for renting or leasing space or equipment
or purchasing support services from the nursing facility as limited by section 256B.433.
All agreements must be disclosed to the commissioner upon request of the commissioner.
Nursing facilities and vendors of ancillary services that are found to be in violation of
this provision shall each be subject to an action by the state of Minnesota or any of its
subdivisions or agencies for treble civil damages on the portion of the fee in excess of that
allowed by this provision and section 256B.433. Damages awarded must include three
times the excess payments together with costs and disbursements including reasonable
attorney's fees or their equivalent.

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end Refusing, for more than 24 hours, to accept a resident returning to the same
bed or a bed certified for the same level of care, in accordance with a physician's order
authorizing transfer, after receiving inpatient hospital services.

new text begin (i) new text end For a period not to exceed 180 days, the commissioner may continue to make
medical assistance payments to a nursing facility or boarding care home which is in
violation of this section if extreme hardship to the residents would result. In these cases
the commissioner shall issue an order requiring the nursing facility to correct the violation.
The nursing facility shall have 20 days from its receipt of the order to correct the violation.
If the violation is not corrected within the 20-day period the commissioner may reduce
the payment rate to the nursing facility by up to 20 percent. The amount of the payment
rate reduction shall be related to the severity of the violation and shall remain in effect
until the violation is corrected. The nursing facility or boarding care home may appeal the
commissioner's action pursuant to the provisions of chapter 14 pertaining to contested
cases. An appeal shall be considered timely if written notice of appeal is received by the
commissioner within 20 days of notice of the commissioner's proposed action.

In the event that the commissioner determines that a nursing facility is not eligible
for reimbursement for a resident who is eligible for medical assistance, the commissioner
may authorize the nursing facility to receive reimbursement on a temporary basis until the
resident can be relocated to a participating nursing facility.

Certified beds in facilities which do not allow medical assistance intake on July 1,
1984, or after shall be deemed to be decertified for purposes of section 144A.071 only.