SF 1343

2nd Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:20am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a special transportation services pilot
project in Hennepin County; establishing an advisory committee; requiring
a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PILOT PROJECT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Project authorized. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Ambulance Association shall
conduct a pilot project in Hennepin County to test methods for reducing the unnecessary
use of ambulances. The pilot project shall be initiated on or before January 1, 2010,
and continue until June 30, 2011.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Project requirements. new text end

new text begin The project shall test the feasibility and
cost-effectiveness of the following protocol:
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new text begin (1) when a 911 call is received for an ambulance, the ambulance shall respond to
the request for service as assigned by the dispatch center;
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new text begin (2) upon arrival at the scene, a paramedic must evaluate the patient's medical
condition;
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new text begin (3) if the paramedic decides that the patient's medical condition is an emergency, the
patient shall be transported in the ambulance to appropriate medical care;
new text end

new text begin (4) if the paramedic decides the patient's medical condition is not an emergency or
does not require immediate transportation, the paramedic shall discuss transportation
options with the patient. With the agreement of the patient, the paramedic shall request a
special transportation services vehicle to provide transportation to an emergency room,
urgent care setting, clinic, or other appropriate medical facility;
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new text begin (5) the paramedic shall remain with the patient until the patient is accepted for
transport by another service provider; and
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new text begin (6) if the patient decides against any form of transportation or treatment, the
paramedic shall follow the against medical advice protocol of the Hennepin County
Emergency Medical Services Council.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reimbursement. new text end

new text begin Transportation services under the pilot project shall
be reimbursed as follows:
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new text begin (1) when an ambulance responds and transports the patient for care, the ambulance
service shall charge for care as provided under current law;
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new text begin (2) when the ambulance service responds and the paramedic evaluates the patient,
and the paramedic and patient agree that special transportation services are appropriate to
transport the patient, $....... shall be paid by medical assistance to the ambulance service,
of which $....... shall be retained by the ambulance service as a patient assessment fee
and $....... shall be paid by the ambulance service to the special transportation services
provider;
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new text begin (3) reimbursement rates from health plans, insurers, and other payers shall be
negotiated with the pilot project; and
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new text begin (4) for patients who are uninsured and have no public program eligibility, the
ambulance service provider shall bill the patient. For patients with no ability to pay, the
charges shall be absorbed as bad debt by the pilot project participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Service providers; requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) Ambulance services for the pilot
project shall be provided by any licensed ambulance service in Hennepin County that
agrees to participate in the pilot project.
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new text begin (b) Special transportation services for the pilot project shall be provided by special
transportation service providers under contract to the participating ambulance service
providers. Special transportation service providers must:
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new text begin (1) carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance;
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new text begin (2) meet the operating standards for a special transportation service under Minnesota
Statutes, section 174.30, and be certified by the commissioner of transportation under
Minnesota Statutes, section 174.30, subdivision 4a;
new text end

new text begin (3) agree to abide by standard operating procedures approved by the ambulance
service medical director; and
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new text begin (4) provide services 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
new text end

new text begin (c) Special transportation service drivers for the pilot project must:
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new text begin (1) be uniformed with visible identification; and
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new text begin (2) undergo periodic drug testing as outlined in Code of Federal Regulations, title
49, part 383.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Alternative transportation option. new text end

new text begin Ninety days after the initiation of
the pilot project, the Minnesota Ambulance Association shall, in consultation with the
organizational representatives listed in subdivision 8, review initial pilot project findings
to determine whether certain patients may be transported by taxi instead of by special
transportation services as an alternative to ambulance transportation. If it is determined
that transportation by taxi is a viable option for certain patients, the pilot project shall
report that finding to the house of representatives and senate policy and finance committees
with jurisdiction over health care and shall notify the ambulance companies participating
in the pilot project. Upon the date of that notification, ambulance paramedics may make a
referral to a taxi company for alternative transportation services. The pilot project shall
pay $....... to the taxi company for each patient transported under the pilot project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Liability. new text end

new text begin Tort liability for participants in the pilot project shall be limited
according to Minnesota Statutes, section 466.04. Participants include, but are not limited
to, the following pilot program participants: special transportation services personnel;
owners of special transportation services; and ambulance services, ambulance personnel,
and ambulance service medical directors regulated under Minnesota Statutes, chapter
144E.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Privacy requirements; data sharing. new text end

new text begin Participating ambulance services
and special transportation services must include in their contracts guidelines for sharing
data according to state and federal privacy requirements.
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new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Consultation regarding pilot project. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Ambulance
Association shall consult with a representative of the Hennepin County Emergency
Medical Services Council; the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory
Board; the Minnesota Council of Health Plans; the Department of Human Services; the
Minnesota chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians; the Hennepin
County Human Services and Public Health Department; the Metropolitan Regional
Emergency Medical Services Board; special transportation providers; and a medical
director from each participating emergency ambulance service regarding the development
and administration of the pilot project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Ambulance Association, in consultation with the
organizational representatives listed in subdivision 8, shall report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative policy and finance committees with jurisdiction over
health care by March 1, 2011, regarding the pilot project. The report shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a recommendation on whether the pilot project should be expanded or modified;
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new text begin (2) data on the number of patients directed to alternative transportation, including
the type of alternative transportation provided and the destination of the trip; and
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new text begin (3) estimated savings to the medical assistance program, health plans, and other
payers.
new text end