SF 1543

1st Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 04/17/2012 09:53am

A bill for 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