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CHAPTER 344--H.F.No. 3056

An act

relating to health; modifying the provider peer grouping timelines and system; adding provision to agricultural cooperative health plan for farmers; requiring reports;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 62U.04, subdivisions 3, 9; 256B.0754, subdivision 2; Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 12, section 14; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 256B.032.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 62U.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Provider peer grouping.

(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.

(b) deleted text begin Beginning June 1deleted text end new text begin By no later than October 15new text end , 2010, the commissioner shall disseminate information to providers on their new text begin total new text end cost of care, new text begin total new text end resource use, new text begin total new text end quality of care, and the new text begin total care new text end 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. new text begin Providers may be given any data for which they are the subject of the data. new text end The provider shall have deleted text begin 21deleted text end new text begin 30 new text end days to review the data for accuracynew text begin and initiate an appeal as specified in paragraph (d)new text end .

(c) new text begin By no later than January 1, 2011, the commissioner shall disseminate information to providers on their condition-specific cost of care, condition-specific resource use, condition-specific quality of care, and the condition-specific 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. Providers may be given any data for which they are the subject of the data. The provider shall have 30 days to review the data for accuracy and initiate an appeal as specified in paragraph (d).new text end

new text begin (d) new text end 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 begin When a provider appeals the accuracy of the data used to calculate the peer grouping system results, the provider shall:new text end

new text begin (1) clearly indicate the reason they believe the data used to calculate the peer group system results are not accurate; new text end

new text begin (2) provide evidence and documentation to support the reason that data was not accurate; and new text end

new text begin (3) cooperate with the commissioner, including allowing the commissioner access to data necessary and relevant to resolving the dispute. new text end

new text begin If a provider does not meet the requirements of this paragraph, a provider's appeal shall be considered withdrawn. The commissioner shall not publish results for a specific provider under paragraph (e) or (f) while that provider has an unresolved appeal. new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end Beginning deleted text begin September 1, 2010deleted text end new text begin January 1, 2011new text end , the commissioner shall, no less than annually, publish information on providers' new text begin total new text end cost, new text begin total resource use, new text end new text begin total new text end quality, and the results of the new text begin total care portion of the new text end peer grouping process. The results that are published must be on a risk-adjusted basis.

new text begin (f) Beginning March 30, 2011, the commissioner shall no less than annually publish information on providers' condition-specific cost, condition-specific resource use, condition-specific quality, and the results of the condition-specific portion of the peer grouping process. The results that are published must be on a risk-adjusted basis. new text end

new text begin (g) Prior to disseminating data to providers under paragraph (b) or (c) or publishing information under paragraph (e) or (f), the commissioner shall ensure the scientific validity and reliability of the results according to the standards described in paragraph (h). If additional time is needed to establish the scientific validity and reliability of the results, the commissioner may delay the dissemination of data to providers under paragraph (b) or (c), or the publication of information under paragraph (e) or (f). If the delay is more than 60 days, the commissioner shall report in writing to the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access the following information: new text end

new text begin (1) the reason for the delay; new text end

new text begin (2) the actions being taken to resolve the delay and establish the scientific validity and reliability of the results; and new text end

new text begin (3) the new dates by which the results shall be disseminated. new text end

new text begin If there is a delay under this paragraph, the commissioner must disseminate the information to providers under paragraph (b) or (c) at least 90 days before publishing results under paragraph (e) or (f). new text end

new text begin (h) The commissioner's assurance of valid and reliable clinic and hospital peer grouping performance results shall include, at a minimum, the following: new text end

new text begin (1) use of the best available evidence, research, and methodologies; and new text end

new text begin (2) establishment of an explicit minimum reliability threshold developed in collaboration with the subjects of the data and the users of the data, at a level not below nationally accepted standards where such standards exist. new text end

new text begin In achieving these thresholds, the commissioner shall not aggregate clinics that are not part of the same system or practice group. The commissioner shall consult with and solicit feedback from representatives of physician clinics and hospitals during the peer grouping data analysis process to obtain input on the methodological options prior to final analysis and on the design, development, and testing of provider reports. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 62U.04, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Uses of information.

(a) By deleted text begin January 1, 2011deleted text end new text begin no later than 12 months after the commissioner publishes the information in subdivision 3, paragraph (e)new text end :

(1) the commissioner of management and budget 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;

(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;

(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

(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.

(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.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0754, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Payment reform.

By deleted text begin January 1, 2011deleted text end new text begin no later than 12 months after the commissioner of health publishes the information in section 62U.04, subdivision 3, paragraph (e)new text end , the commissioner of human services shall use the information and methods developed under section 62U.04 to establish a payment system that:

(1) rewards high-quality, low-cost providers;

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

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

Sec. 4.

Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 12, section 14, is amended to read:

Sec. 14.

AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE HEALTH PLAN FOR FARMERS.

Subdivision 1.

Pilot project requirements.

Notwithstanding contrary provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62H, the following apply to a joint self-insurance pilot project administered by a trust sponsored by one or more agricultural cooperatives organized under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 308Anew text begin or 308Bnew text end , or under a federal charter for the purpose of offering health coverage to members of the cooperatives and their families, provided the project satisfies the other requirements of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62H:

(1) Minnesota Statutes, section 62H.02, paragraph (b), does not apply;

(2) the notice period required under Minnesota Statutes, section 62H.02, paragraph (e), is 90 days;

(3) a joint self-insurance plan may elect to treat the sale of a health plan to or for an employer that has only one eligible employee who has not waived coverage as the sale of an individual health plan as allowed under Minnesota Statutes, section 62L.02, subdivision 26;

(4) Minnesota Statutes, section 297I.05, subdivision 12, paragraph (c), applies; and

(5) the trust must pay the assessment for the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 62E.11.

Subd. 2.

Evaluation and renewal.

The pilot project authorized under this section is for a period of four years from the date of initial enrollment. The commissioner of commerce shall grant an extension of four additional years if the trust provides evidence that it remains in compliance with the requirements of this section and other applicable laws and rules. If the commissioner determines that the operation of the trust has not improved access, expanded health plan choices, or improved the affordability of health coverage for farm families, or that it has significantly damaged access, choice, or affordability for other consumers not enrolled in the trust, the commissioner shall provide at least 180 days' advance written notice to the trust and to the chairs of the senate and house finance and policy committees with jurisdiction over health and insurance of the commissioner's intention not to renew the pilot project at the expiration of a four-year period.

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Use of surplus lines. new text end

new text begin Plans created under this section may use surplus lines carriers to fulfill its obligations under chapter 62H. new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin PAYMENT REFORM IMPLEMENTATION REPORT. new text end

new text begin By April 1, 2011, the commissioner of human services shall report to the chairs of the senate Health and Human Services Budget Division and the house of representatives Health Care and Human Services Finance Division recommendations for implementing the payment reform in Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0754, subdivision 2. The recommendations shall include: new text end

new text begin (1) legislative changes needed to fully implement this payment reform; and new text end

new text begin (2) an analysis of the fiscal impact of implementing this payment reform. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 256B.032, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor May 12, 2010

Signed by the governor May 14, 2010, 7:37 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes