1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; authorizing certain
1.3 	hospitals to bill a county of residence for services
1.4 	provided to a resident of that county; amending
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256.969, by adding a
1.6 	subdivision.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256.969, is
1.9 	amended by adding a subdivision to read:
1.10 		Subd. 9c.County billing. Minnesota hospitals that have
1.11 	a disproportionate population adjustment greater than ten
1.12 	percent shall be eligible for a special payment for
1.13 	uncompensated care.  These hospitals may bill a county for
1.14 	services provided to a resident of that county provided that:
1.15 	(1) the patient is a resident of a county other than the
1.16 	county in which the hospital is located.  For purposes of this
1.17 	section, residence is defined in section 256G.02, subdivision 8;
1.18 	and 
1.19 	(2) the patient was uninsured at the time of service.
1.20 	Counties that are billed under this program must pay
1.21 	eligible hospitals at the rates established under the medical
1.22 	assistance program.  For purposes of prompt payment, section
1.23 	471.425, subdivisions 2 and 4, shall apply.  In the event of
1.24 	nonpayment, the hospital shall have a cause of action against
1.25 	the county and shall be entitled to collection expenses
1.26 	incurred, including attorney fees.  It is intended that the
2.1 	county of residence shall be the payer of last resort.  If
2.2 	third-party payments are received by a participating hospital
2.3 	for services rendered after payment has been made by the county
2.4 	of residence, then the participating hospital shall reimburse
2.5 	the county of residence for payments made to the hospital for
2.6 	covered services at the rates originally paid by the county of
2.7 	residence.