Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Office of the Revisor of Statutes

Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 358--S.F.No. 3780

An act

relating to health care; establishing a statewide health improvement program; establishing health care homes and reporting requirements; establishing a care coordination payment; requiring a workforce shortage study; establishing requirements for interoperable health records; establishing electronic prescription drug program; requiring recommendations for an essential benefit set for health benefits; providing for health care payment restructuring; requiring uniform standards; establishing a health care reform review council; establishing Section 125 Plan; providing for fees; requiring reports; authorizing rulemaking; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 256.01, by adding a subdivision; 256L.06, subdivision 3; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 43A.23, subdivision 1; 62J.495, by adding a subdivision; 256.962, subdivisions 5, 6; 256B.057, subdivision 2c, as amended; 256L.04, subdivisions 1, 7; 256L.05, subdivision 3a; 256L.07, subdivision 1; 256L.15, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 62J; 124D; 145; 256B; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62U; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256L.15, subdivision 3.

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

ARTICLE 1

PUBLIC HEALTH

Section 1.

new text begin [145.986] STATEWIDE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grants to local communities. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning July 1, 2009, the commissioner of health shall award competitive grants to community health boards established pursuant to section 145A.09 and tribal governments to convene, coordinate, and implement evidence-based strategies targeted at reducing the percentage of Minnesotans who are obese or overweight and to reduce the use of tobacco. new text end

new text begin (b) Grantee activities shall: new text end

new text begin (1) be based on scientific evidence; new text end

new text begin (2) be based on community input; new text end

new text begin (3) address behavior change at the individual, community, and systems levels; new text end

new text begin (4) occur in community, school, worksite, and health care settings; and new text end

new text begin (5) be focused on policy, systems, and environmental changes that support healthy behaviors. new text end

new text begin (c) To receive a grant under this section, community health boards and tribal governments must submit proposals to the commissioner. A local match of ten percent of the total funding allocation is required. This local match may include funds donated by community partners. new text end

new text begin (d) In order to receive a grant, community health boards and tribal governments must submit a health improvement plan to the commissioner of health for approval. The commissioner may require the plan to identify a community leadership team, community partners, and a community action plan that includes an assessment of area strengths and needs, proposed action strategies, technical assistance needs, and a staffing plan. new text end

new text begin (e) The grant recipient must implement the health improvement plan, evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions, and modify or discontinue interventions found to be ineffective. new text end

new text begin (f) By January 15, 2011, the commissioner of health shall recommend whether any funding should be distributed to community health boards and tribal governments based on health disparities demonstrated in the populations served. new text end

new text begin (g) Grant recipients shall report their activities and their progress toward the outcomes established under subdivision 2 to the commissioner in a format and at a time specified by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (h) All grant recipients shall be held accountable for making progress toward the measurable outcomes established in subdivision 2. The commissioner shall require a corrective action plan and may reduce the funding level of grant recipients that do not make adequate progress toward the measurable outcomes. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Outcomes. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall set measurable outcomes to meet the goals specified in subdivision 1, and annually review the progress of grant recipients in meeting the outcomes. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall measure current public health status, using existing measures and data collection systems when available, to determine baseline data against which progress shall be monitored. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Technical assistance and oversight. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall provide content expertise, technical expertise, and training to grant recipients and advice on evidence-based strategies, including those based on populations and types of communities served. The commissioner shall ensure that the statewide health improvement program meets the outcomes established under subdivision 2 by conducting a comprehensive statewide evaluation and assisting grant recipients to modify or discontinue interventions found to be ineffective. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Evaluation. new text end

new text begin Using the outcome measures established in subdivision 3, the commissioner shall conduct a biennial evaluation of the statewide health improvement program funded under this section. Grant recipients shall cooperate with the commissioner in the evaluation and provide the commissioner with the information necessary to conduct the evaluation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall submit a biennial report to the legislature on the statewide health improvement program funded under this section. These reports must include information on grant recipients, activities that were conducted using grant funds, evaluation data, and outcome measures, if available. In addition, the commissioner shall provide recommendations on future areas of focus for health improvement. These reports are due by January 15 of every other year, beginning in 2010. In the report due on January 15, 2010, the commissioner shall include recommendations on a sustainable funding source for the statewide health improvement program other than the health care access fund. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Supplantation of existing funds. new text end

new text begin Community health boards and tribal governments must use funds received under this section to develop new programs, expand current programs that work to reduce the percentage of Minnesotans who are obese or overweight or who use tobacco, or replace discontinued state or federal funds previously used to reduce the percentage of Minnesotans who are obese or overweight or who use tobacco. Funds must not be used to supplant current state or local funding to community health boards or tribal governments used to reduce the percentage of Minnesotans who are obese or overweight or to reduce tobacco use. new text end

ARTICLE 2

HEALTH CARE HOMES

Section 1.

new text begin [256B.0751] HEALTH CARE HOMES. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of sections 256B.0751 to 256B.0753, the following definitions apply. new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services. new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioners" means the commissioner of humans services and the commissioner of health, acting jointly. new text end

new text begin (d) "Health plan company" has the meaning provided in section 62Q.01, subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin (e) "Personal clinician" means a physician licensed under chapter 147, a physician assistant registered and practicing under chapter 147A, or an advanced practice nurse licensed and registered to practice under chapter 148. new text end

new text begin (f) "State health care program" means the medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, and general assistance medical care programs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Development and implementation of standards. new text end

new text begin (a) By July 1, 2009, the commissioners of health and human services shall develop and implement standards of certification for health care homes for state health care programs. In developing these standards, the commissioners shall consider existing standards developed by national independent accrediting and medical home organizations. The standards developed by the commissioners must meet the following criteria: new text end

new text begin (1) emphasize, enhance, and encourage the use of primary care, and include the use of primary care physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants as personal clinicians; new text end

new text begin (2) focus on delivering high-quality, efficient, and effective health care services; new text end

new text begin (3) encourage patient-centered care, including active participation by the patient and family or a legal guardian, or a health care agent as defined in chapter 145C, as appropriate in decision making and care plan development, and providing care that is appropriate to the patient's race, ethnicity, and language; new text end

new text begin (4) provide patients with a consistent, ongoing contact with a personal clinician or team of clinical professionals to ensure continuous and appropriate care for the patient's condition; new text end

new text begin (5) ensure that health care homes develop and maintain appropriate comprehensive care plans for their patients with complex or chronic conditions, including an assessment of health risks and chronic conditions; new text end

new text begin (6) enable and encourage utilization of a range of qualified health care professionals, including dedicated care coordinators, in a manner that enables providers to practice to the fullest extent of their license; new text end

new text begin (7) focus initially on patients who have or are at risk of developing chronic health conditions; new text end

new text begin (8) incorporate measures of quality, resource use, cost of care, and patient experience; new text end

new text begin (9) ensure the use of health information technology and systematic follow-up, including the use of patient registries; and new text end

new text begin (10) encourage the use of scientifically based health care, patient decision-making aids that provide patients with information about treatment options and their associated benefits, risks, costs, and comparative outcomes, and other clinical decision support tools. new text end

new text begin (b) In developing these standards, the commissioners shall consult with national and local organizations working on health care home models, physicians, relevant state agencies, health plan companies, hospitals, other providers, patients, and patient advocates. The commissioners may satisfy this requirement by continuing the provider directed care coordination advisory committee. new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of developing and implementing these standards, the commissioners may use the expedited rulemaking process under section 14.389. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Requirements for clinicians certified as health care homes. new text end

new text begin (a) A personal clinician or a primary care clinic may be certified as a health care home. If a primary care clinic is certified, all of the primary care clinic's clinicians must meet the criteria of a health care home. In order to be certified as a health care home, a clinician or clinic must meet the standards set by the commissioners in accordance with this section. Certification as a health care home is voluntary. In order to maintain their status as health care homes, clinicians or clinics must renew their certification annually. new text end

new text begin (b) Clinicians or clinics certified as health care homes must offer their health care home services to all their patients with complex or chronic health conditions who are interested in participation. new text end

new text begin (c) Health care homes must participate in the health care home collaborative established under subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Alternative models. new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section shall preclude the continued development of existing medical or health care home projects currently operating or under development by the commissioner of human services or preclude the commissioner from establishing alternative models and payment mechanisms for persons who are enrolled in integrated Medicare and Medicaid programs under section 256B.69, subdivisions 23 and 28, are enrolled in managed care long-term care programs under section 256B.69, subdivision 6b, are dually eligible for Medicare and medical assistance, are in the waiting period for Medicare, or who have other primary coverage. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Health care home collaborative. new text end

new text begin By July 1, 2009, the commissioners shall establish a health care home collaborative to provide an opportunity for health care homes and state agencies to exchange information related to quality improvement and best practices. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Evaluation and continued development. new text end

new text begin (a) For continued certification under this section, health care homes must meet process, outcome, and quality standards as developed and specified by the commissioners. The commissioners shall collect data from health care homes necessary for monitoring compliance with certification standards and for evaluating the impact of health care homes on health care quality, cost, and outcomes. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioners may contract with a private entity to perform an evaluation of the effectiveness of health care homes. Data collected under this subdivision is classified as nonpublic data under chapter 13. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Outreach. new text end

new text begin Beginning July 1, 2009, the commissioner shall encourage state health care program enrollees who have a complex or chronic condition to select a primary care clinic with clinicians who have been certified as health care homes. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [256B.0752] HEALTH CARE HOME REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Annual reports on implementation and administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioners shall report annually to the legislature on the implementation and administration of the health care home model for state health care program enrollees in the fee-for-service, managed care, and county-based purchasing sectors beginning December 15, 2009, and each December 15 thereafter. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Evaluation reports. new text end

new text begin The commissioners shall provide to the legislature comprehensive evaluations of the health care home model three years and five years after implementation. The report must include: new text end

new text begin (1) the number of state health care program enrollees in health care homes and the number and characteristics of enrollees with complex or chronic conditions, identified by income, race, ethnicity, and language; new text end

new text begin (2) the number and geographic distribution of health care home providers; new text end

new text begin (3) the performance and quality of care of health care homes; new text end

new text begin (4) measures of preventive care; new text end

new text begin (5) health care home payment arrangements, and costs related to implementation and payment of care coordination fees; new text end

new text begin (6) the estimated impact of health care homes on health disparities; and new text end

new text begin (7) estimated savings from implementation of the health care home model for the fee-for-service, managed care, and county-based purchasing sectors. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [256B.0753] PAYMENT RESTRUCTURING; CARE COORDINATION PAYMENTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Development. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services, in coordination with the commissioner of health, shall develop a payment system that provides per-person care coordination payments to health care homes certified under section 256B.0751 for providing care coordination services and directly managing on-site or employing care coordinators. The care coordination payments under this section are in addition to the quality incentive payments in section 256B.0754, subdivision 1. The care coordination payment system must vary the fees paid by thresholds of care complexity, with the highest fees being paid for care provided to individuals requiring the most intensive care coordination. In developing the criteria for care coordination payments, the commissioner shall consider the feasibility of including the additional time and resources needed by patients with limited English-language skills, cultural differences, or other barriers to health care. The commissioner may determine a schedule for phasing in care coordination fees such that the fees will be applied first to individuals who have, or are at risk of developing, complex or chronic health conditions. Development of the payment system must be completed by January 1, 2010. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Implementation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall implement care coordination payments as specified under this section by July 1, 2010, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. For enrollees served under the fee-for-service system, the care coordination payment shall be determined by the commissioner in contracts with certified health care homes. For enrollees served by managed care or county-based purchasing plans, the commissioner's contracts with these plans shall require the payment of care coordination fees to certified health care homes. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Cost neutrality. new text end

new text begin If initial savings from implementation of health care homes are not sufficient to allow implementation of the care coordination fee in a cost-neutral manner, the commissioner may make recommendations to the legislature on reallocating costs within the health care system. new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [256B.0754] PAYMENT REFORM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Quality incentive payments. new text end

new text begin By July 1, 2010, the commissioner of human services shall implement quality incentive payments as established under section 62U.02 for all enrollees in state health care programs consistent with relevant state and federal statute and rule. This section does not limit the ability of the commissioner of human services to establish by contract and monitor, as part of its quality assurance obligations for state health care programs, outcome and performance measures for nonmedical services and health issues likely to occur in low-income populations or racial or cultural groups disproportionately represented in state health care program enrollment that would likely be underrepresented when using traditional measures that are based on longer-term enrollment. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Payment reform. new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2011, the commissioner of human services shall use the information and methods developed under section 62U.04 to establish a payment system that: new text end

new text begin (1) rewards high-quality, low-cost providers; new text end

new text begin (2) creates enrollee incentives to receive care from high-quality, low-cost providers; and new text end

new text begin (3) fosters collaboration among providers to reduce cost shifting from one part of the health continuum to another. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin WORKFORCE SHORTAGE STUDY. new text end

new text begin To address health care workforce shortages, the commissioner of health, in consultation with the health licensing boards and professional associations, shall study changes necessary in health professional licensure and regulation to ensure full utilization of advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and other licensed health care professionals in the health care home and primary delivery system. The commissioner shall make recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2009. new text end

ARTICLE 3

INCREASING ACCESS; CONTINUITY OF CARE

Section 1.

new text begin [124D.1115] FREE AND REDUCED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM DATA SHARING. new text end

new text begin (a) Each school participating in the federal school lunch program shall electronically send to the Department of Education the eligibility information on each child who is eligible for the free and reduced lunch program, unless the child's parent or legal guardian after being notified of the potential disclosure of this information for the limited purpose stated in paragraph (b) elects not to have the information disclosed. new text end

new text begin (b) Pursuant to United States Code, title 42, section 1758(b)(6)(A), the Department of Education shall enter into an agreement with the Department of Human Services to share the eligibility information provided by each school in paragraph (a) for the limited purpose of identifying children who may be eligible for medical assistance or MinnesotaCare. The Department of Human Services must ensure that this information remains confidential and shall only be used for this purpose. Any unauthorized disclosure shall be subject to a penalty. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 27. new text end

new text begin Application and renewal forms. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall make state health care program applications and renewals available on the department's Web site in the most common foreign languages. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256.962, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Incentive program.

Beginning January 1, 2008, the commissioner shall establish an incentive program for organizations new text begin and licensed insurance producers under chapter 60K new text end that directly identify and assist potential enrollees in filling out and submitting an application. For each applicant who is successfully enrolled in MinnesotaCare, medical assistance, or general assistance medical care, the commissioner, within the available appropriation, shall pay the organization new text begin or licensed insurance producer new text end a deleted text begin $20deleted text end new text begin $25 new text end application assistance bonus. The organization new text begin or licensed insurance producer new text end may provide an applicant a gift certificate or other incentive upon enrollment.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256.962, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

School districts.

(a) At the beginning of each school year, a school district shall provide information to each student on the availability of health care coverage through the Minnesota health care programs.

(b) For each child who is determined to be eligible for deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the new text end free deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin and new text end reduced deleted text begin priceddeleted text end new text begin school new text end lunchnew text begin programnew text end , the district shall provide the child's family with deleted text begin an application for the Minnesota health care programs anddeleted text end information on how to obtain new text begin an application for the Minnesota health care programs and new text end application assistance.

(c) A district shall also ensure that applications and information on application assistance are available at early childhood education sites and public schools located within the district's jurisdiction.

(d) Each district shall designate an enrollment specialist to provide application assistance and follow-up services with families deleted text begin who are eligible for the reduced or free lunch program ordeleted text end who have indicated an interest in receiving information or an application for the Minnesota health care program.new text begin A district is eligible for the application assistance bonus described in subdivision 5.new text end

(e) Each school district shall provide on their Web site a link to information on how to obtain an application and application assistance.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256B.057, subdivision 2c, as amended by Laws 2008, chapter 286, article 1, section 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 2c.

deleted text begin Extended coverage fordeleted text end new text begin Seamless coverage for MinnesotaCare eligible new text end children.

A child receiving medical assistance under subdivision 2, who becomes ineligible due to excess income, is eligible for deleted text begin two additional months ofdeleted text end new text begin seamless coverage between new text end medical assistancenew text begin and MinnesotaCare. The child shall remain eligible under this section for two additional months and is deemed automatically eligible for MinnesotaCare until renewal. MinnesotaCare coverage begins in accordance with section 256L.05, subdivision 3new text end . Eligibility under this section is effective deleted text begin deleted text end following any coverage available under section 256B.0635.

deleted text begin A child eligible for extended coverage under this section is deemed automatically eligible for MinnesotaCare until renewal. MinnesotaCare coverage begins in accordance with section 256L.05, subdivision 3. deleted text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256L.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Families with children.

(a) Families with children with family income equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size shall be eligible for MinnesotaCare according to this section. All other provisions of sections 256L.01 to 256L.18, including the insurance-related barriers to enrollment under section 256L.07, shall apply unless otherwise specified.

(b) Parents who enroll in the MinnesotaCare program must also enroll their children, if the children are eligible. Children may be enrolled separately without enrollment by parents. However, if one parent in the household enrolls, both parents must enroll, unless other insurance is available. If one child from a family is enrolled, all children must be enrolled, unless other insurance is available. If one spouse in a household enrolls, the other spouse in the household must also enroll, unless other insurance is available. Families cannot choose to enroll only certain uninsured members.

(c) Beginning October 1, 2003, the dependent sibling definition no longer applies to the MinnesotaCare program. These persons are no longer counted in the parental household and may apply as a separate household.

(d) Beginning July 1, 2003, or upon federal approval, whichever is later, parents are not eligible for MinnesotaCare if their gross income exceeds deleted text begin $50,000deleted text end new text begin $57,500new text end .

(e) Children formerly enrolled in medical assistance and automatically deemed eligible for MinnesotaCare according to section 256B.057, subdivision 2c, are exempt from the requirements of this section until renewal.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2010, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256L.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Single adults and households with no children.

new text begin (a) new text end The definition of eligible persons includes all individuals and households with no children who have gross family incomes that are equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

new text begin (b) new text end Effective July 1, 2009, the definition of eligible persons includes all individuals and households with no children who have gross family incomes that are equal to or less than deleted text begin 215deleted text end new text begin 250 new text end percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256L.05, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Renewal of eligibility.

(a) Beginning July 1, 2007, an enrollee's eligibility must be renewed every 12 months. The 12-month period begins in the month after the month the application is approved.

(b) Each new period of eligibility must take into account any changes in circumstances that impact eligibility and premium amount. An enrollee must provide all the information needed to redetermine eligibility by the first day of the month that ends the eligibility period. new text begin If there is no change in circumstances, the enrollee may renew eligibility at designated locations that include community clinics and health care providers' offices. The designated sites shall forward the renewal forms to the commissioner. The commissioner may establish criteria and timelines for sites to forward applications to the commissioner or county agencies. new text end The premium for the new period of eligibility must be received as provided in section 256L.06 in order for eligibility to continue.

(c) For single adults and households with no children formerly enrolled in general assistance medical care and enrolled in MinnesotaCare according to section 256D.03, subdivision 3, the first period of eligibility begins the month the enrollee submitted the application or renewal for general assistance medical care.

new text begin (d) An enrollee who fails to submit renewal forms and related documentation necessary for verification of continued eligibility in a timely manner shall remain eligible for one additional month beyond the end of the current eligibility period before being disenrolled. The enrollee remains responsible for MinnesotaCare premiums for the additional month. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2009, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256L.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Commissioner's duties and payment.

(a) Premiums are dedicated to the commissioner for MinnesotaCare.

(b) The commissioner shall develop and implement procedures to: (1) require enrollees to report changes in income; (2) adjust sliding scale premium payments, based upon both increases and decreases in enrollee income, at the time the change in income is reported; and (3) disenroll enrollees from MinnesotaCare for failure to pay required premiums. Failure to pay includes payment with a dishonored check, a returned automatic bank withdrawal, or a refused credit card or debit card payment. The commissioner may demand a guaranteed form of payment, including a cashier's check or a money order, as the only means to replace a dishonored, returned, or refused payment.

(c) Premiums are calculated on a calendar month basis and may be paid on a monthly, quarterly, or semiannual basis, with the first payment due upon notice from the commissioner of the premium amount required. The commissioner shall inform applicants and enrollees of these premium payment options. Premium payment is required before enrollment is complete and to maintain eligibility in MinnesotaCare. Premium payments received before noon are credited the same day. Premium payments received after noon are credited on the next working day.

(d) Nonpayment of the premium will result in disenrollment from the plan effective deleted text begin fordeleted text end new text begin the first day of the calendar month following new text end the calendar month for which the premium was due. Persons disenrolled for nonpayment or who voluntarily terminate coverage from the program may not reenroll until four calendar months have elapsed. deleted text begin Persons disenrolled for nonpayment who pay all past due premiums as well as current premiums due, including premiums due for the period of disenrollment, within 20 days of disenrollment, shall be reenrolled retroactively to the first day of disenrollmentdeleted text end new text begin The commissioner shall waive premiums for coverage provided under this paragraph to persons disenrolled for nonpayment who reapply under section 256L.05, subdivision 3bnew text end . Persons disenrolled for nonpayment or who voluntarily terminate coverage from the program may not reenroll for four calendar months unless the person demonstrates good cause for nonpayment. Good cause does not exist if a person chooses to pay other family expenses instead of the premium. The commissioner shall define good cause in rule.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2009, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256L.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General requirements.

(a) Children enrolled in the original children's health plan as of September 30, 1992, children who enrolled in the MinnesotaCare program after September 30, 1992, pursuant to Laws 1992, chapter 549, article 4, section 17, and children who have family gross incomes that are equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible without meeting the requirements of subdivision 2 and the four-month requirement in subdivision 3, as long as they maintain continuous coverage in the MinnesotaCare program or medical assistance. Children who apply for MinnesotaCare on or after the implementation date of the employer-subsidized health coverage program as described in Laws 1998, chapter 407, article 5, section 45, who have family gross incomes that are equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, must meet the requirements of subdivision 2 to be eligible for MinnesotaCare.

Families enrolled in MinnesotaCare under section 256L.04, subdivision 1, whose income increases above 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, are no longer eligible for the program and shall be disenrolled by the commissioner. Beginning January 1, 2008, individuals enrolled in MinnesotaCare under section 256L.04, subdivision 7, whose income increases above 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or deleted text begin 215deleted text end new text begin 250 new text end percent of the federal poverty guidelines on or after July 1, 2009, are no longer eligible for the program and shall be disenrolled by the commissioner. For persons disenrolled under this subdivision, MinnesotaCare coverage terminates the last day of the calendar month following the month in which the commissioner determines that the income of a family or individual exceeds program income limits.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), children may remain enrolled in MinnesotaCare if ten percent of their gross individual or gross family income as defined in section 256L.01, subdivision 4, is less than the annual premium for a policy with a $500 deductible available through the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association. Children who are no longer eligible for MinnesotaCare under this clause shall be given a 12-month notice period from the date that ineligibility is determined before disenrollment. The premium for children remaining eligible under this clause shall be the maximum premium determined under section 256L.15, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), parents are not eligible for MinnesotaCare if gross household income exceeds deleted text begin $50,000deleted text end new text begin $57,500 new text end for the 12-month period of eligibility.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin The effective date for the amendment to paragraph (a) is July 1, 2009, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The effective date for the amendment to paragraph (c) is July 1, 2010, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256L.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Sliding fee scale; monthly gross individual or family income.

(a) The commissioner shall establish a sliding fee scale to determine the percentage of monthly gross individual or family income that households at different income levels must pay to obtain coverage through the MinnesotaCare program. The sliding fee scale must be based on the enrollee's monthly gross individual or family income. The sliding fee scale must contain separate tables based on enrollment of one, two, or three or more persons. new text begin Until June 30, 2009, new text end the sliding fee scale begins with a premium of 1.5 percent of monthly gross individual or family income for individuals or families with incomes below the limits for the medical assistance program for families and children in effect on January 1, 1999, and proceeds through the following evenly spaced steps: 1.8, 2.3, 3.1, 3.8, 4.8, 5.9, 7.4, and 8.8 percent. These percentages are matched to evenly spaced income steps ranging from the medical assistance income limit for families and children in effect on January 1, 1999, to 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size, up to a family size of five. The sliding fee scale for a family of five must be used for families of more than five. The sliding fee scale and percentages are not subject to the provisions of chapter 14. If a family or individual reports increased income after enrollment, premiums shall be adjusted at the time the change in income is reported.

(b) deleted text begin Familiesdeleted text end new text begin Children in families new text end whose gross income is above 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines shall pay the maximum premium. The maximum premium is defined as a base charge for one, two, or three or more enrollees so that if all MinnesotaCare cases paid the maximum premium, the total revenue would equal the total cost of MinnesotaCare medical coverage and administration. In this calculation, administrative costs shall be assumed to equal ten percent of the total. The costs of medical coverage for pregnant women and children under age two and the enrollees in these groups shall be excluded from the total. The maximum premium for two enrollees shall be twice the maximum premium for one, and the maximum premium for three or more enrollees shall be three times the maximum premium for one.

new text begin (c) Beginning July 1, 2009, MinnesotaCare enrollees shall pay premiums according to the premium scale specified in paragraph (d) with the exception that children in families with income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines shall pay a monthly premium of $4. For purposes of paragraph (d), "minimum" means a monthly premium of $4. new text end

new text begin (d) The following premium scale is established for individuals and families with gross family incomes of 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or less: new text end

new text begin Federal Poverty Guideline Range new text end new text begin Percent of Average Gross Monthly Income new text end
new text begin 0-45% new text end new text begin minimum new text end
new text begin 46-54% new text end new text begin 1.1% new text end
new text begin 55-81% new text end new text begin 1.6% new text end
new text begin 82-109% new text end new text begin 2.2% new text end
new text begin 110-136% new text end new text begin 2.9% new text end
new text begin 137-164% new text end new text begin 3.6% new text end
new text begin 165-191% new text end new text begin 4.6% new text end
new text begin 192-219% new text end new text begin 5.6% new text end
new text begin 220-248% new text end new text begin 6.5% new text end
new text begin 249-274% new text end new text begin 7.2% new text end
new text begin 275-300% new text end new text begin 8.0% new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2009, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin AUTOMATION AND COORDINATION FOR STATE HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this subdivision, "state health care program" means the medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, or general assistance medical care programs. new text end

new text begin (b) By January 15, 2009, the commissioner of human services shall report to the legislature on ways to improve coordination between state health care programs and social service programs, including, but not limited to, WIC and food stamps. This report must include a review of options for the development of automated systems to identify persons served by social service programs who may be eligible for, but are not enrolled in, a state health care program. The report shall identify to the legislature statutory changes to state health care and social service programs necessary to improve coordination and automation between state health care programs and social service programs. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin LONG-TERM CARE WORKER HEALTH COVERAGE STUDY. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall study and report to the legislature by December 15, 2008, with recommendations for a rate increase to long-term care employers dedicated to the purchase of employee health insurance in the private market. The commissioner shall collect necessary actuarial data, employment data, current coverage data, and other needed information. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall develop cost estimates for three levels of insurance coverage for long-term care workers: new text end

new text begin (1) the coverage provided to state employees; new text end

new text begin (2) the coverage provided to MinnesotaCare enrollees; and new text end

new text begin (3) the benefits provided under an "average" private market insurance product, but with a deductible limited to $100 per person. new text end

new text begin Premium cost sharing, waiting periods for eligibility, definitions of full- and part-time employment, and other parameters under the three options must be identical to those under the state employees health plan. new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, a long-term care worker is a person employed by a nursing facility, an intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, or a service provider that: new text end

new text begin (1) is eligible under Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 7, section 71; and new text end

new text begin (2) provides long-term care services. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may recommend a different definition of long-term care worker if this definition presents insurmountable implementation issues. new text end

new text begin (d) The recommendations must include measures to: new text end

new text begin (1) ensure equitable treatment between employers that currently have different levels of expenditure for employee health insurance costs; and new text end

new text begin (2) enforce the requirement that the rate increase be expended for the intended purpose. new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256L.15, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009, or upon federal approval of the amendments to Minnesota Statutes, section 256L.15, subdivision 2, paragraphs (c) and (d), whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. new text end

ARTICLE 4

HEALTH INSURANCE PURCHASING AND AFFORDABILITY REFORM

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 43A.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General.

(a) The commissioner is authorized to request proposals or to negotiate and to enter into contracts with parties which in the judgment of the commissioner are best qualified to provide service to the benefit plans. Contracts entered into are not subject to the requirements of sections 16C.16 to 16C.19. The commissioner may negotiate premium rates and coverage. The commissioner shall consider the cost of the plans, conversion options relating to the contracts, service capabilities, character, financial position, and reputation of the carriers, and any other factors which the commissioner deems appropriate. Each benefit contract must be for a uniform term of at least one year, but may be made automatically renewable from term to term in the absence of notice of termination by either party. A carrier licensed under chapter 62A is exempt from the taxes imposed by chapter 297I on premiums paid to it by the state.

(b) All self-insured hospital and medical service products must comply with coverage mandates, data reporting, and consumer protection requirements applicable to the licensed carrier administering the product, had the product been insured, including chapters 62J, 62M, and 62Q. Any self-insured products that limit coverage to a network of providers or provide different levels of coverage between network and nonnetwork providers shall comply with section 62D.123 and geographic access standards for health maintenance organizations adopted by the commissioner of health in rule under chapter 62D.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a self-insured hospital and medical product offered under sections 43A.22 to 43A.30 is not required to extend dependent coverage to an eligible employee's unmarried child under the age of 25 to the full extent required under chapters 62A and 62L. Dependent coverage must, at a minimum, extend to an eligible employee's unmarried child who is under the age of 19 or an unmarried child under the age of 25 who is a full-time student. The definition of "full-time student" for purposes of this paragraph includes any student who by reason of illness, injury, or physical or mental disability as documented by a physician is unable to carry what the educational institution considers a full-time course load so long as the student's course load is at least 60 percent of what otherwise is considered by the institution to be a full-time course load. Any notice regarding termination of coverage due to attainment of the limiting age must include information about this definition of "full-time student."

new text begin (d) Beginning January 1, 2010, the health insurance benefit plans offered in the commissioner's plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 2, and the managerial plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 3, must include an option for a health plan that is compatible with the definition of a high-deductible health plan in section 223 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 62J.495, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Interoperable electronic health record requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) To meet the requirements of subdivision 1, hospitals and health care providers must meet the following criteria when implementing an interoperable electronic health records system within their hospital system or clinical practice setting. new text end

new text begin (b) The electronic health record must be certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, or its successor. This criterion only applies to hospitals and health care providers whose practice setting is a practice setting covered by Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology certifications. This criterion shall be considered met if a hospital or health care provider is using an electronic health records system that has been certified within the last three years, even if a more current version of the system has been certified within the three-year period. new text end

new text begin (c) A health care provider who is a prescriber or dispenser of controlled substances must have an electronic health record system that meets the requirements of section 62J.497. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [62J.497] ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given. new text end

new text begin (a) "Dispense" or "dispensing" has the meaning given in section 151.01, subdivision 30. Dispensing does not include the direct administering of a controlled substance to a patient by a licensed health care professional. new text end

new text begin (b) "Dispenser" means a person authorized by law to dispense a controlled substance, pursuant to a valid prescription. new text end

new text begin (c) "Electronic media" has the meaning given under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, part 160.103. new text end

new text begin (d) "E-prescribing" means the transmission using electronic media of prescription or prescription-related information between a prescriber, dispenser, pharmacy benefit manager, or group purchaser, either directly or through an intermediary, including an e-prescribing network. E-prescribing includes, but is not limited to, two-way transmissions between the point of care and the dispenser. new text end

new text begin (e) "Electronic prescription drug program" means a program that provides for e-prescribing. new text end

new text begin (f) "Group purchaser" has the meaning given in section 62J.03, subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin (g) "HL7 messages" means a standard approved by the standards development organization known as Health Level Seven. new text end

new text begin (h) "National Provider Identifier" or "NPI" means the identifier described under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, part 162.406. new text end

new text begin (i) "NCPDP" means the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, Inc. new text end

new text begin (j) "NCPDP Formulary and Benefits Standard" means the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs Formulary and Benefits Standard, Implementation Guide, Version 1, Release 0, October 2005. new text end

new text begin (k) "NCPDP SCRIPT Standard" means the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs Prescriber/Pharmacist Interface SCRIPT Standard, Implementation Guide Version 8, Release 1 (Version 8.1), October 2005. new text end

new text begin (l) "Pharmacy" has the meaning given in section 151.01, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (m) "Prescriber" means a licensed health care professional who is authorized to prescribe a controlled substance under section 152.12, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (n) "Prescription-related information" means information regarding eligibility for drug benefits, medication history, or related health or drug information. new text end

new text begin (o) "Provider" or "health care provider" has the meaning given in section 62J.03, subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Requirements for electronic prescribing. new text end

new text begin (a) Effective January 1, 2011, all providers, group purchasers, prescribers, and dispensers must establish and maintain an electronic prescription drug program that complies with the applicable standards in this section for transmitting, directly or through an intermediary, prescriptions and prescription-related information using electronic media. new text end

new text begin (b) Nothing in this section requires providers, group purchasers, prescribers, or dispensers to conduct the transactions described in this section. If transactions described in this section are conducted, they must be done electronically using the standards described in this section. Nothing in this section requires providers, group purchasers, prescribers, or dispensers to electronically conduct transactions that are expressly prohibited by other sections or federal law. new text end

new text begin (c) Providers, group purchasers, prescribers, and dispensers must use either HL7 messages or the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard to transmit prescriptions or prescription-related information internally when the sender and the recipient are part of the same legal entity. If an entity sends prescriptions outside the entity, it must use the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard or other applicable standards required by this section. Any pharmacy within an entity must be able to receive electronic prescription transmittals from outside the entity using the adopted NCPDP SCRIPT Standard. This exemption does not supersede any Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirement that may require the use of a HIPAA transaction standard within an organization. new text end

new text begin (d) Entities transmitting prescriptions or prescription-related information where the prescriber is required by law to issue a prescription for a patient to a nonprescribing provider that in turn forwards the prescription to a dispenser are exempt from the requirement to use the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard when transmitting prescriptions or prescription-related information. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Standards for electronic prescribing. new text end

new text begin (a) Prescribers and dispensers must use the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard for the communication of a prescription or prescription-related information. The NCPDP SCRIPT Standard shall be used to conduct the following transactions: new text end

new text begin (1) get message transaction; new text end

new text begin (2) status response transaction; new text end

new text begin (3) error response transaction; new text end

new text begin (4) new prescription transaction; new text end

new text begin (5) prescription change request transaction; new text end

new text begin (6) prescription change response transaction; new text end

new text begin (7) refill prescription request transaction; new text end

new text begin (8) refill prescription response transaction; new text end

new text begin (9) verification transaction; new text end

new text begin (10) password change transaction; new text end

new text begin (11) cancel prescription request transaction; and new text end

new text begin (12) cancel prescription response transaction. new text end

new text begin (b) Providers, group purchasers, prescribers, and dispensers must use the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard for communicating and transmitting medication history information. new text end

new text begin (c) Providers, group purchasers, prescribers, and dispensers must use the NCPDP Formulary and Benefits Standard for communicating and transmitting formulary and benefit information. new text end

new text begin (d) Providers, group purchasers, prescribers, and dispensers must use the national provider identifier to identify a health care provider in e-prescribing or prescription-related transactions when a health care provider's identifier is required. new text end

new text begin (e) Providers, group purchasers, prescribers, and dispensers must communicate eligibility information and conduct health care eligibility benefit inquiry and response transactions according to the requirements of section 62J.536. new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [62U.01] DEFINITIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given, unless otherwise specified. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Basket or baskets of care. new text end

new text begin "Basket" or "baskets of care" means a collection of health care services that are paid separately under a fee-for-service system, but which are ordinarily combined by a provider in delivering a full diagnostic or treatment procedure to a patient. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Clinically effective. new text end

new text begin "Clinically effective" means that the use of a particular health technology or service improves or prevents a decline in patient clinical status, as measured by medical condition, survival rates, and other variables, and that the use of the particular technology or service demonstrates a clinical or outcome advantage over alternative technologies or services. This definition shall not be used to exclude or deny technology or treatment necessary to preserve life on the basis of an individual's age or expected length of life or of the individual's present or predicted disability, degree of medical dependency, or quality of life. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Commissioner. new text end

new text begin "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health unless otherwise specified. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Cost-effective. new text end

new text begin "Cost-effective" means that the economic costs of using a particular service, device, or health technology to achieve improvement or prevent a decline in a patient's health outcome are justified given the comparison to both the economic costs and the improvement or prevention of decline in patient health outcome resulting from the use of an alternative service, device, or technology, or from not providing the service, device, or technology. This definition shall not be used to exclude or deny technology or treatment necessary to preserve life on the basis of an individual's age or expected length of life or of the individual's present or predicted disability, degree of medical dependency, or quality of life. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Group purchaser. new text end

new text begin "Group purchaser" has the meaning provided in section 62J.03. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Health plan. new text end

new text begin "Health plan" means a health plan as defined in section 62A.011. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Health plan company. new text end

new text begin "Health plan company" has the meaning provided in section 62Q.01, subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Participating provider. new text end

new text begin "Participating provider" means a provider who has entered into a service agreement with a health plan company. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Provider or health care provider. new text end

new text begin "Provider" or "health care provider" means a health care provider as defined in section 62J.03, subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Service agreement. new text end

new text begin "Service agreement" means an agreement, contract, or other arrangement between a health plan company and a provider under which the provider agrees that when health services are provided for an enrollee, the provider shall not make a direct charge against the enrollee for those services or parts of services that are covered by the enrollee's contract, but shall look to the health plan company for the payment for covered services, to the extent they are covered. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin State health care program. new text end

new text begin "State health care program" means the medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, and general assistance medical care programs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Third-party administrator. new text end

new text begin "Third-party administrator" means a vendor of risk-management services or an entity administering a self-insurance or health insurance plan under section 60A.23. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [62U.02] PAYMENT RESTRUCTURING; INCENTIVE PAYMENTS BASED ON QUALITY OF CARE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Development. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall develop a standardized set of measures by which to assess the quality of health care services offered by health care providers, including health care providers certified as health care homes under section 256B.0751. Quality measures must be based on medical evidence and be developed through a process in which providers participate. The measures shall be used for the quality incentive payment system developed in subdivision 2 and must: new text end

new text begin (1) include uniform definitions, measures, and forms for submission of data, to the greatest extent possible; new text end

new text begin (2) seek to avoid increasing the administrative burden on health care providers; new text end

new text begin (3) be initially based on existing quality indicators for physician and hospital services, which are measured and reported publicly by quality measurement organizations, including, but not limited to, Minnesota Community Measurement and specialty societies; new text end

new text begin (4) place a priority on measures of health care outcomes, rather than process measures, wherever possible; and new text end

new text begin (5) incorporate measures for primary care, including preventive services, coronary artery and heart disease, diabetes, asthma, depression, and other measures as determined by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (b) The measures shall be reviewed at least annually by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Quality incentive payments. new text end

new text begin (a) By July 1, 2009, the commissioner shall develop a system of quality incentive payments under which providers are eligible for quality-based payments that are in addition to existing payment levels, based upon a comparison of provider performance against specified targets, and improvement over time. The targets must be based upon and consistent with the quality measures established under subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (b) To the extent possible, the payment system must adjust for variations in patient population, in order to reduce incentives to health care providers to avoid high-risk patients or populations. new text end

new text begin (c) The requirements of section 62Q.101 do not apply under this incentive payment system. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Quality transparency. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall establish standards for measuring health outcomes, establish a system for risk adjusting quality measures, and issue annual public reports on provider quality beginning July 1, 2010. By January 1, 2010, physician clinics and hospitals shall submit standardized electronic information on the outcomes and processes associated with patient care to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. In addition to measures of care processes and outcomes, the report may include other measures designated by the commissioner, including, but not limited to, care infrastructure and patient satisfaction. The commissioner shall ensure that any quality data reporting requirements established under this subdivision are not duplicative of publicly reported, communitywide quality reporting activities currently under way in Minnesota. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to replace or duplicate current privately supported activities related to quality measurement and reporting in Minnesota. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Contracting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may contract with a private entity or consortium of private entities to complete the tasks in subdivisions 1 to 3. The private entity or consortium must be nonprofit and have governance that includes representatives from the following stakeholder groups: health care providers, health plan companies, consumers, employers or other health care purchasers, and state government. No one stakeholder group shall have a majority of the votes on any issue or hold extraordinary powers not granted to any other governance stakeholder. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Implementation. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 1, 2010, health plan companies shall use the standardized quality measures established under this section and shall not require providers to use and report health plan company-specific quality and outcome measures. new text end

new text begin (b) By July 1, 2010, the commissioner of finance shall implement this incentive payment system for all participants in the state employee group insurance program. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [62U.03] PAYMENT RESTRUCTURING; CARE COORDINATION PAYMENTS. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 1, 2010, health plan companies shall include health care homes in their provider networks and by July 1, 2010, shall pay a care coordination fee for their members who choose to enroll in health care homes certified by the commissioners of health and human services under section 256B.0751. Health plan companies shall develop payment conditions and terms for the care coordination fee for health care homes participating in their network in a manner that is consistent with the system developed under section 256B.0753. Nothing in this section shall restrict the ability of health plan companies to selectively contract with health care providers, including health care homes. Health plan companies may reduce or reallocate payments to other providers to ensure that implementation of care coordination payments is cost neutral. new text end

new text begin (b) By July 1, 2010, the commissioner of finance shall implement the care coordination payments for participants in the state employee group insurance program. The commissioner of finance may reallocate payments within the health care system in order to ensure that the implementation of this section is cost neutral. new text end

new text begin new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [62U.04] PAYMENT REFORM TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS AND IMPROVE QUALITY. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Development of tools to improve costs and quality outcomes. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall develop a plan to create transparent prices, encourage greater provider innovation and collaboration across points on the health continuum in cost-effective, high-quality care delivery, reduce the administrative burden on providers and health plans associated with submitting and processing claims, and provide comparative information to consumers on variation in health care cost and quality across providers. The development must be complete by January 1, 2010. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Calculation of health care costs and quality. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall develop a uniform method of calculating providers' relative cost of care, defined as a measure of health care spending including resource use and unit prices, and relative quality of care. In developing this method, the commissioner must address the following issues: new text end

new text begin (1) provider attribution of costs and quality; new text end

new text begin (2) appropriate adjustment for outlier or catastrophic cases; new text end

new text begin (3) appropriate risk adjustment to reflect differences in the demographics and health status across provider patient populations, using generally accepted and transparent risk adjustment methodologies; new text end

new text begin (4) specific types of providers that should be included in the calculation; new text end

new text begin (5) specific types of services that should be included in the calculation; new text end

new text begin (6) appropriate adjustment for variation in payment rates; new text end

new text begin (7) the appropriate provider level for analysis; new text end

new text begin (8) payer mix adjustments, including variation across providers in the percentage of revenue received from government programs; and new text end

new text begin (9) other factors that the commissioner determines are needed to ensure validity and comparability of the analysis. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Provider peer grouping. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall develop a peer grouping system for providers based on a combined measure that incorporates both provider risk-adjusted cost of care and quality of care, and for specific conditions as determined by the commissioner. In developing this system, the commissioner shall consult and coordinate with health care providers, health plan companies, state agencies, and organizations that work to improve health care quality in Minnesota. For purposes of the final establishment of the peer grouping system, the commissioner shall not contract with any private entity, organization, or consortium of entities that has or will have a direct financial interest in the outcome of the system. new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning June 1, 2010, the commissioner shall disseminate information to providers on their cost of care, resource use, quality of care, and the results of the grouping developed under this subdivision in comparison to an appropriate peer group. Any analyses or reports that identify providers may only be published after the provider has been provided the opportunity by the commissioner to review the underlying data and submit comments. The provider shall have 21 days to review the data for accuracy. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall establish an appeals process to resolve disputes from providers regarding the accuracy of the data used to develop analyses or reports. new text end

new text begin (d) Beginning September 1, 2010, the commissioner shall, no less than annually, publish information on providers' cost, quality, and the results of the peer grouping process. The results that are published must be on a risk-adjusted basis. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Encounter data. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning July 1, 2009, and every six months thereafter, all health plan companies and third-party administrators shall submit encounter data to a private entity designated by the commissioner of health. The data shall be submitted in a form and manner specified by the commissioner subject to the following requirements: new text end

new text begin (1) the data must be de-identified data as described under the Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 164.514; new text end

new text begin (2) the data for each encounter must include an identifier for the patient's health care home if the patient has selected a health care home; and new text end

new text begin (3) except for the identifier described in clause (2), the data must not include information that is not included in a health care claim or equivalent encounter information transaction that is required under section 62J.536. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall only use the data submitted under paragraph (a) for the purpose of carrying out its responsibilities in this section, and must maintain the data that it receives according to the provisions of this section. new text end

new text begin (c) Data on providers collected under this subdivision are private data on individuals or nonpublic data, as defined in section 13.02. Notwithstanding the definition of summary data in section 13.02, subdivision 19, summary data prepared under this subdivision may be derived from nonpublic data. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall establish procedures and safeguards to protect the integrity and confidentiality of any data that it maintains. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall not publish analyses or reports that identify, or could potentially identify, individual patients. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Pricing data. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning July 1, 2009, and annually on January 1 thereafter, all health plan companies and third-party administrators shall submit data on their contracted prices with health care providers to a private entity designated by the commissioner of health for the purposes of performing the analyses required under this subdivision. The data shall be submitted in the form and manner specified by the commissioner of health. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall only use the data submitted under this subdivision for the purpose of carrying out its responsibilities under this section. new text end

new text begin (c) Data collected under this subdivision are nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02. Notwithstanding the definition of summary data in section 13.02, subdivision 19, summary data prepared under this section may be derived from nonpublic data. The commissioner shall establish procedures and safeguards to protect the integrity and confidentiality of any data that it maintains. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Contracting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may contract with a private entity or consortium of entities to develop the standards. The private entity or consortium must be nonprofit and have governance that includes representatives from the following stakeholder groups: health care providers, health plan companies, hospitals, consumers, employers or other health care purchasers, and state government. The entity or consortium must ensure that the representatives of stakeholder groups in the aggregate reflect all geographic areas of the state. No one stakeholder group shall have a majority of the votes on any issue or hold extraordinary powers not granted to any other governance stakeholder. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Consumer engagement. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall convene a work group to develop strategies for engaging consumers in understanding the importance of health care cost and quality, specifically as it relates to health care outcomes, consumer out-of-pocket costs, and variations in health care cost and quality across providers. The work group shall develop strategies to assist consumers in becoming advocates for higher value health care and a more efficient, effective health care system. The work group shall make recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature by January 1, 2010, and shall identify specific action steps needed to achieve the recommendations. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Provider innovation to reduce health care costs and improve quality. new text end

new text begin (a) Nothing in this section shall prohibit group purchasers and health care providers, upon mutual agreement, from entering into arrangements that establish package prices for a comprehensive set of services or separately for the cost of care for specific health conditions in addition to the baskets of care established in section 62U.05, in order to give providers the flexibility to innovate on ways to reduce health care costs while improving overall quality of care and health outcomes. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of health may convene working groups of private sector payers and health care providers to discuss and develop new strategies for reforming health care payment systems to promote innovative care delivery that reduces health care costs and improves quality. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Uses of information. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 1, 2011: new text end

new text begin (1) the commissioner of finance shall use the information and methods developed under subdivision 3 to strengthen incentives for members of the state employee group insurance program to use high-quality, low-cost providers; new text end

new text begin (2) all political subdivisions, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 11, that offer health benefits to their employees must offer plans that differentiate providers on their cost and quality performance and create incentives for members to use better-performing providers; new text end

new text begin (3) all health plan companies shall use the information and methods developed under subdivision 3 to develop products that encourage consumers to use high-quality, low-cost providers; and new text end

new text begin (4) health plan companies that issue health plans in the individual market or the small employer market must offer at least one health plan that uses the information developed under subdivision 3 to establish financial incentives for consumers to choose higher-quality, lower-cost providers through enrollee cost-sharing or selective provider networks. new text end

new text begin (b) By January 1, 2011, the commissioner of health shall report to the governor and the legislature on recommendations to encourage health plan companies to promote widespread adoption of products that encourage the use of high-quality, low-cost providers. The commissioner's recommendations may include tax incentives, public reporting of health plan performance, regulatory incentives or changes, and other strategies. new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [62U.05] PROVIDER PRICING FOR BASKETS OF CARE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment of definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) By July 1, 2009, the commissioner of health shall establish uniform definitions for baskets of care beginning with a minimum of seven baskets of care. In selecting health conditions for which baskets of care should be defined, the commissioner shall consider coronary artery and heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and depression. In selecting health conditions, the commissioner shall also consider the prevalence of the health conditions, the cost of treating the health conditions, and the potential for innovations to reduce cost and improve quality. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall convene one or more work groups to assist in establishing these definitions. Each work group shall include members appointed by statewide associations representing relevant health care providers and health plan companies, and organizations that work to improve health care quality in Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (c) To the extent possible, the baskets of care must incorporate a patient-directed, decision-making support model. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Package prices. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning January 1, 2010, health care providers may establish package prices for the baskets of care defined under subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning January 1, 2010, no health care provider or group of providers that has established a package price for a basket of care under this section shall vary the payment amount that the provider accepts as full payment for a health care service based upon the identity of the payer, upon a contractual relationship with a payer, upon the identity of the patient, or upon whether the patient has coverage through a group purchaser. This paragraph applies only to health care services provided to Minnesota residents or to non-Minnesota residents who obtain health insurance through a Minnesota employer. This paragraph does not apply to services paid for by Medicare, state public health care programs through fee-for-service or prepaid arrangements, workers' compensation, or no-fault automobile insurance. This paragraph does not affect the right of a provider to provide charity care or care for a reduced price due to financial hardship of the patient or due to the patient being a relative or friend of the provider. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Quality measurements for baskets of care. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall establish quality measurements for the defined baskets of care by December 31, 2009. The commissioner may contract with an organization that works to improve health care quality to make recommendations about the use of existing measures or establishing new measures where no measures currently exist. new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning July 1, 2010, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall publish comparative price and quality information on the baskets of care in a manner that is easily accessible and understandable to the public, as this information becomes available. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [62U.06] COORDINATION; LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT ON PAYMENT RESTRUCTURING. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Coordination. new text end

new text begin In carrying out the responsibilities of this chapter, the commissioner of health shall ensure that the activities and data collection are implemented in an integrated and coordinated manner that avoids unnecessary duplication of effort. To the extent possible, the commissioner shall use existing data sources and implement methods to streamline data collection in order to reduce public and private sector administrative costs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Legislative oversight. new text end

new text begin Beginning January 15, 2009, the commissioner of health shall submit to the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access periodic progress reports on the implementation of this chapter and sections 256B.0751 to 256B.0754. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rulemaking. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this chapter, the commissioner may use the expedited rulemaking process under section 14.389. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [62U.07] SECTION 125 PLANS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them. new text end

new text begin (a) "Employee" means an employee currently on an employer's payroll other than a retiree or disabled former employee. new text end

new text begin (b) "Employer" means a person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, business trust, or other entity employing one or more persons, including a political subdivision of the state, filing payroll tax information on the employed person or persons. new text end

new text begin (c) "Section 125 Plan" means a cafeteria or premium-only plan under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code that allows employees to pay for health coverage premiums with pretax dollars. new text end

new text begin (d) "Small employer" means an employer with two to 50 employees. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Section 125 Plan requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) Effective July 1, 2009, all employers with 11 or more current full-time equivalent employees in this state shall establish and maintain a Section 125 Plan to allow their employees to purchase individual market or employer-based health coverage with pretax dollars. Nothing in this section requires employers to offer or purchase group health coverage for their employees. The following employers are exempt from the Section 125 Plan requirement: new text end

new text begin (1) employers that offer a health plan as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 3, that is group coverage; new text end

new text begin (2) employers that provide self-insurance as defined in section 62E.02; or new text end

new text begin (3) employers that have no employees who are eligible to participate in a Section 125 Plan. new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an employer may opt out of the requirement to establish a Section 125 Plan by sending a form to the commissioner of commerce. The commissioner of commerce shall create a check-box form for employers to opt out. The form must contain a check box indicating the employer is choosing to opt out and a check box indicating that the employer certifies they have received education and information on the advantages of Section 125 Plans. The commissioner of commerce shall make the form available through their Web site by April 1, 2009. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Employer requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) Employers that do not offer a health plan as defined in section 62A.011, subdivision 3, that is group coverage and are required to offer or choose to offer a Section 125 Plan shall: new text end

new text begin (1) allow employees to purchase an individual market health plan for themselves and their dependents; new text end

new text begin (2) allow employees to choose any insurance producer licensed in accident and health insurance under chapter 60K to assist them in purchasing an individual market health plan; new text end

new text begin (3) upon an employee's request, deduct premium amounts on a pretax basis in an amount not to exceed an employee's wages, and remit these employee payments to the health plan; and new text end

new text begin (4) provide notice to employees that individual market health plans purchased by employees through payroll deduction are not employer-sponsored or administered. new text end

new text begin (b) Employers shall be held harmless from any and all claims related to the individual market health plans purchased by employees under a Section 125 Plan. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Section 125 Plan employer incentives. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall award grants to eligible small employers that establish Section 125 Plans. new text end

new text begin (b) In order to be eligible for a grant, a small employer must: new text end

new text begin (1) not have offered health insurance to employees through a group health insurance plan as defined in section 62A.10 or through a self-insured plan as defined in section 62E.02 in the 12 months prior to applying for grant funding under this section; new text end

new text begin (2) have established a Section 125 Plan within 90 days prior to applying for grant funding under this section, and must not have offered a Section 125 Plan to employees for at least a nine-month period prior to the establishment of the Section 125 Plan under this section; and new text end

new text begin (3) certify to the commissioner that the employer has established a Section 125 Plan and meets the requirements of subdivision 3. new text end

new text begin (c) The amount of the grant awarded to a small employer under this section shall be $350. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [62U.08] ESSENTIAL BENEFIT SET. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Work group created. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall convene a work group to make recommendations on the design of a health benefit set that provides coverage for a broad range of services and technologies, is based on scientific evidence that the services and technologies are clinically effective and cost-effective, and provides lower enrollee cost sharing for services and technologies that have been determined to be cost-effective. The work group shall include representatives of health care providers, health plans, state agencies, and employers. Members of the work group must have expertise in standards for evidence-based care, benefit design and development, actuarial analysis, or knowledge relating to the analysis of the cost impact of coverage of specified benefits. The work group must meet at least once per year and at other times as necessary to make recommendations to the commissioner on updating the benefit set as necessary to ensure that the benefit set continues to be safe, effective, and scientifically based. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin By October 15, 2009, the work group shall develop and submit to the commissioner an initial essential benefit set and design that includes coverage for a broad range of services, is based on scientific evidence that services are clinically effective and cost-effective, and provides lower enrollee cost sharing for services that have been determined to be cost-effective. The benefit set must include necessary evidence-based health care services, procedures, diagnostic tests, and technologies that are scientifically proven to be both clinically effective and cost-effective. In developing its recommendations, the work group may consult with the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) to assemble existing scientifically based practice standards. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2010, the commissioner shall report the recommendations of the work group to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over health care policy and finance. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [62U.09] HEALTH CARE REFORM REVIEW COUNCIL. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Health Care Reform Review Council is established for the purpose of periodically reviewing the progress of implementation of this chapter and sections 256B.0751 to 256B.0754. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Members. new text end

new text begin (a) The Health Care Reform Review Council shall consist of 14 members who are appointed as follows: new text end

new text begin (1) two members appointed by the Minnesota Medical Association, at least one of whom must represent rural physicians; new text end

new text begin (2) one member appointed by the Minnesota Nurses Association; new text end

new text begin (3) two members appointed by the Minnesota Hospital Association, at least one of whom must be a rural hospital administrator; new text end

new text begin (4) one member appointed by the Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants; new text end

new text begin (5) one member appointed by the Minnesota Business Partnership; new text end

new text begin (6) one member appointed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; new text end

new text begin (7) one member appointed by the SEIU Minnesota State Council; new text end

new text begin (8) one member appointed by the AFL-CIO; new text end

new text begin (9) one member appointed by the Minnesota Council of Health Plans; new text end

new text begin (10) one member appointed by the Smart Buy Alliance; new text end

new text begin (11) one member appointed by the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association; and new text end

new text begin (12) one consumer member appointed by AARP Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (b) If a member is no longer able or eligible to participate, a new member shall be appointed by the entity that appointed the outgoing member. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Operations of council. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall convene the first meeting of the council on or before January 15, 2009, following the initial appointment of the members and the advisory council must meet at least quarterly thereafter. new text end

new text begin (b) The council is governed by section 15.059, except that members shall not receive per diems and the council does not expire. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin STUDY OF UNIFORM CLAIMS REVIEW PROCESS. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall establish a work group including representatives of the Minnesota Hospital Association, Minnesota Medical Association, and Minnesota Council of Health Plans to make recommendations on the potential for reducing claims adjudication costs of health care providers and health plan companies by adopting more uniform payment methods, and the potential impact of establishing uniform prices that would replace current prices negotiated individually by providers with separate payers. The work group shall make its recommendations to the commissioner by January 1, 2010, and shall identify specific action steps needed to achieve the recommendations. new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY PROPOSAL. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health, in coordination with the commissioner of human services, shall develop a health care affordability proposal for eligible individuals and employees with access to employer-subsidized health coverage and with gross family incomes of 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or less. For purposes of this section, "employer-subsidized health coverage" has the meaning provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 256L.07, subdivision 2, paragraph (c). The commissioner must evaluate and report on direct payments to individuals, tax credits, including refundable tax credits, tax deductions and a combination of direct payments, tax credits, and tax deductions as mechanisms for providing affordable health coverage to individuals and families. The proposal must be designed so that qualified individuals and families have access to affordable coverage. For purposes of this section, coverage is "affordable" if the sum of premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs paid by an individual or family for health coverage does not exceed the applicable percentage of the individual's or family's gross monthly income set forth in Minnesota Statutes, section 256L.15, subdivision 2, paragraph (d). The commissioner shall submit a report and recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2009. new text end

ARTICLE 5

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1.

new text begin SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this article. new text end

new text begin 2009 new text end new text begin Total new text end
new text begin General Fund new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin (3,254,000) new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin (3,254,000) new text end
new text begin Health Care Access Fund new text end new text begin 14,526,000 new text end new text begin 14,526,000 new text end
new text begin Total new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin 11,272,000 new text end new text begin $ new text end new text begin 11,272,000 new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to or, if shown in parentheses, subtracted from the appropriations in Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 19, or other law to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figure "2009" used in this article means that the addition to or subtraction from the appropriation listed under it is available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. new text end

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
new text begin Available for the Year new text end
new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
new text begin 2009 new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin HUMAN SERVICES new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 3,063,000 new text end
new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin 2009 new text end
new text begin General new text end new text begin (2,430,000) new text end
new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 5,493,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Children and Economic Assistance Operations new text end

new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 6,000 new text end

new text begin This is a onetime appropriation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Basic Health Care Grants new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent from the appropriation for each purpose are as follows: new text end

new text begin (a) MinnesotaCare Grants new text end
new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 3,657,000 new text end

new text begin Seamless Coverage for MinnesotaCare Eligible Children. In the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, the seamless coverage for MinnesotaCare eligible children under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.057, subdivision 2c, shall be paid for out of the health care access fund. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this article, this paragraph shall not expire. new text end

new text begin (b) MA Basic Health Care Grants Families and Children new text end
new text begin General Fund new text end new text begin (3,657,000) new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Health Care Management new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent from the appropriation for each purpose are as follows: new text end

new text begin (a) Health Care Policy Administration new text end
new text begin General new text end new text begin 1,008,000 new text end
new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 1,004,000 new text end

new text begin Base Adjustment. new text end new text begin The health care access fund is decreased by $954,000 in fiscal year 2010 and decreased by $954,000 in fiscal year 2011. new text end

new text begin Base Adjustment. new text end new text begin The general fund base is decreased by $80,000 in both fiscal years 2010 and 2011. new text end

new text begin Department of Education Computer System. new text end new text begin Of the health care access fund appropriation, $50,000 is for the commissioner to enter into an agreement with the Department of Education for the modification of the department's computer system to implement Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.1115. This is a onetime appropriation. new text end

new text begin Health Care Homes. The health care access fund appropriation to the commissioner to implement and administer health care homes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256B.0751 to 256B.0753, is available through June 30, 2011. The base funding for this activity in fiscal year 2012 and beyond is zero. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this article, this paragraph expires December 31, 2011. new text end

new text begin (b) Health Care Operations new text end
new text begin General new text end new text begin 219,000 new text end
new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 826,000 new text end

new text begin Incentive Program and Outreach Grants. Of the appropriation for the Minnesota health care outreach program in Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 19, section 3, subdivision 7, paragraph (b): new text end

new text begin (1) $400,000 in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund and $200,000 in fiscal year 2009 from the health care access fund are for the incentive program under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.962, subdivision 5. For the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, base level funding for this activity shall be $360,000 from the general fund and $160,000 from the health care access fund; and new text end

new text begin (2) $100,000 in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund and $50,000 in fiscal year 2009 from the health care access fund are for the outreach grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.962, subdivision 2. For the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, base level funding for this activity shall be $90,000 from the general fund and $40,000 from the health care access fund. new text end

new text begin new text begin Outreach Funding.new text end (1) The health care access fund base funding for the incentive program under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.962, subdivision 5, shall be increased by $100,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. new text end

new text begin (2) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 295.581, the commissioner of finance shall reimburse the medical assistance general fund account from the health care access fund by $701,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $1,527,000 in fiscal year 2011 for the cost to the general fund for the increase in enrollment to the medical assistance program for families with children due to the outreach efforts. new text end

new text begin Base Adjustment. new text end new text begin The health care access fund base is decreased by $379,000 in fiscal year 2010 and decreased by $340,000 in fiscal year 2011. The general fund appropriation is onetime. new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 8,209,000 new text end
new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin 2009 new text end
new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 9,033,000 new text end
new text begin General new text end new text begin (824,000) new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Community and Family Health Promotion new text end

new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 1,188,000 new text end

new text begin new text begin Base Adjustment.new text end The health care access fund base shall be increased by $20,454,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $27,531,000 in fiscal year 2011. Of these base adjustments, $19,587,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $26,175,000 in fiscal year 2011 is for grants to local communities in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 145.986, subdivision 2; $413,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $825,000 in fiscal year 2011 is for staffing, operating costs, contracts for evaluation, and administration costs. The base for this program in fiscal year 2012 is $0. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this article, this paragraph expires December 31, 2012. new text end

new text begin Health Care Homes. new text end new text begin The commissioner of health shall coordinate with the commissioner of human services to maximize federal financial participation for this activity. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Policy, Quality, and Compliance new text end

new text begin Health Care Access new text end new text begin 7,845,000 new text end
new text begin General new text end new text begin (824,000) new text end

new text begin Health Savings Projections and Measurement. new text end new text begin $152,000 in fiscal year 2009 is for statewide health savings research and measurement. new text end

new text begin new text begin Open Door Health Center.new text end Of the health care access fund appropriation, $350,000 is to be awarded as a grant to the Open Door Health Center to act as bridge funding to meet the demand for health care services in medically underserved areas. new text end

new text begin new text begin Community Benefit Standards.new text end Of this appropriation, $84,000 is for the commissioner to make recommendations to the legislature on community benefit standards to be required of nonprofit health plan companies doing business in the state. The expectations of the community benefits provided and reported should be related to the statutory expectations in Minnesota Statutes, sections 62C.01 and 62D.01, and focus on supporting public health, improving the art and science of medical care, and addressing the need for financial assistance to access ongoing coverage, and not related to general philanthropic endeavors. The commissioner shall seek public input regarding the range of options to be explored and the accountability measures. new text end

new text begin The recommendations must include a procedure by which each nonprofit health plan company would periodically and uniformly report to the state and to the public regarding the company's compliance with the requirements. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall recommend a fair and effective enforcement and remediation mechanism. new text end

new text begin new text begin Federally Qualified Health Centers.new text end Of the health care access fund appropriation, $1,824,000 is for subsidies to federally qualified health centers under Minnesota Statutes, section 145.9269. The health care access fund base for this activity shall be $2,500,000 for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this article, this paragraph expires December 31, 2012. new text end

new text begin The general fund appropriation for this program shall be reduced by $824,000 for fiscal year 2009, and by $1,500,000 in both fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The general fund appropriation for this program shall be increased by $2,500,000 in both fiscal years 2012 and 2013. new text end

new text begin Health Care Reform. Funds appropriated to the commissioner to implement article 4 shall be available until expended. Base funding for these activities in fiscal year 2013 is $0. new text end

new text begin Section 125 Employer Incentives. new text end new text begin $1,000,000 from the health care access fund is appropriated to the commissioner of health to be transferred to the Department of Employment and Economic Development for grants authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 62U.07. This appropriation is available until expended. new text end

new text begin Base Adjustment. new text end new text begin The health care access fund base shall be reduced by $1,851,000 in fiscal year 2010, by $2,419,000 in fiscal year 2011, and by $4,159,000 in fiscal year 2012. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE new text end

new text begin The health care access fund base shall be increased by $27,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $15,000 in fiscal year 2011 for administrative costs. The health care access fund base for fiscal year 2012 and beyond is $0. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE new text end

new text begin Health Insurance Premiums Credit. The commissioner of finance shall report to the legislature the amount of any funds transferred from the health care access fund to the general fund for general fund costs related to implementation of the health insurance premiums credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0678, and shall include this amount in the health care access fund balance. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin SUNSET OF UNCODIFIED LANGUAGE. new text end

new text begin All uncodified language contained in this article expires on June 30, 2009, unless a different expiration date is specified. new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin The provisions in this article are effective July 1, 2008, unless a different effective date is specified. new text end

Presented to the governor May 19, 2008

Signed by the governor May 29, 2008, 2:20 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes