Minnesota Session Laws - 2012, Regular Session

CHAPTER 169--S.F.No. 1543

An act

relating to human services; providing medical assistance coverage for community paramedic services;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 60. new text end

new text begin Community paramedic services. new text end

new text begin (a) Medical assistance covers services provided by community paramedics who are certified under section 144E.28, subdivision 9, when the services are provided in accordance with this subdivision to an eligible recipient as defined in paragraph (b). new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, an eligible recipient is defined as an individual who has received hospital emergency department services three or more times in a period of four consecutive months in the past 12 months or an individual who has been identified by the individual's primary health care provider for whom community paramedic services identified in paragraph (c) would likely prevent admission to or would allow discharge from a nursing facility; or would likely prevent readmission to a hospital or nursing facility. new text end

new text begin (c) Payment for services provided by a community paramedic under this subdivision must be a part of a care plan ordered by a primary health care provider in consultation with the medical director of an ambulance service and must be billed by an eligible provider enrolled in medical assistance that employs or contracts with the community paramedic. The care plan must ensure that the services provided by a community paramedic are coordinated with other community health providers and local public health agencies and that community paramedic services do not duplicate services already provided to the patient, including home health and waiver services. Community paramedic services shall include health assessment, chronic disease monitoring and education, medication compliance, immunizations and vaccinations, laboratory specimen collection, hospital discharge follow-up care, and minor medical procedures approved by the ambulance medical director. new text end

new text begin (d) Services provided by a community paramedic to an eligible recipient who is also receiving care coordination services must be in consultation with the providers of the recipient's care coordination services. new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner shall seek the necessary federal approval to implement this subdivision. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2012, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. new text end

Presented to the governor April 5, 2012

Signed by the governor April 9, 2012, 01:05 p.m.