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62D.02 Definitions.

Subdivision 1. For the purposes of sections 62D.01 to 62D.30, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms defined in this section shall have the meaning here given them.

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1990 c 538 s 32

Subd. 3. "Commissioner of health" or "commissioner" means the state commissioner of health or a designee.

Subd. 4. (a) "Health maintenance organization" means a nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 317A, or a local governmental unit as defined in subdivision 11, controlled and operated as provided in sections 62D.01 to 62D.30, which provides, either directly or through arrangements with providers or other persons, comprehensive health maintenance services, or arranges for the provision of these services, to enrollees on the basis of a fixed prepaid sum without regard to the frequency or extent of services furnished to any particular enrollee.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an organization licensed as a health maintenance organization that accepts payments for health care services on a capitated basis, or under another similar risk sharing agreement, from a program of self-insurance as described in section 60A.02, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), shall not be regulated as a health maintenance organization with respect to the receipt of the payments. The payments are not premium revenues for the purpose of calculating the health maintenance organization's liability for otherwise applicable state taxes, assessments, or surcharges, with the exception of:

(1) the MinnesotaCare provider tax;

(2) the one percent premium tax imposed in section 60A.15, subdivision 1, paragraph (e); and

(3) effective July 1, 1995, assessments by the Minnesota comprehensive health association.

This paragraph applies only where:

(1) the health maintenance organization does not bear risk in excess of 110 percent of the self-insurance program's expected costs;

(2) the employer does not carry stop loss, excess loss, or similar coverage with an attachment point lower than 120 percent of the self-insurance program's expected costs;

(3) the health maintenance organization and the employer comply with the data submission and administrative simplification provisions of chapter 62J;

(4) the health maintenance organization and the employer comply with the provider tax pass-through provisions of section 295.582;

(5) the health maintenance organization's required minimum reserves reflect the risk borne by the health maintenance organization under this paragraph, with an appropriate adjustment for the 110 percent limit on risk borne by the community network;

(6) on or after July 1, 1994, but prior to January 1, 1995, the employer has at least 1,500 current employees, as defined in section 62L.02, or, on or after January 1, 1995, the employer has at least 750 current employees, as defined in section 62L.02;

(7) the employer does not exclude any eligible employees or their dependents, both as defined in section 62L.02, from coverage offered by the employer, under this paragraph or any other health coverage, insured or self-insured, offered by the employer, on the basis of the health status or health history of the person.

This paragraph expires December 31, 1997.

Subd. 5. "Evidence of coverage" means any certificate, agreement or contract, and amendments thereto, issued to an enrollee which sets out the coverage to which the enrollee is entitled under the health maintenance contract which covers the enrollee.

Subd. 6. "Enrollee" means any person who has entered into, or is covered by, a health maintenance contract.

Subd. 7. "Comprehensive health maintenance services" means a set of comprehensive health services which the enrollees might reasonably require to be maintained in good health including as a minimum, but not limited to, emergency care, emergency ground ambulance transportation services, inpatient hospital and physician care, outpatient health services and preventive health services. Elective, induced abortion, except as medically necessary to prevent the death of the mother, whether performed in a hospital, other abortion facility or the office of a physician, shall not be mandatory for any health maintenance organization.

Subd. 8. "Health maintenance contract" means any contract whereby a health maintenance organization agrees to provide comprehensive health maintenance services to enrollees, provided that the contract may contain reasonable enrollee copayment provisions. An individual or group health maintenance contract may contain the copayment and deductible provisions specified in this subdivision. Copayment and deductible provisions in group contracts shall not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, length of enrollment in the plan, or economic status; and during every open enrollment period in which all offered health benefit plans, including those subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioners of commerce or health, fully participate without any underwriting restrictions, copayment and deductible provisions shall not discriminate on the basis of preexisting health status. In no event shall the sum of the annual copayments and deductible exceed the maximum out-of-pocket expenses allowable for a number three qualified plan under section 62E.06, nor shall that sum exceed $5,000 per family. The annual deductible must not exceed $1,000 per person. The annual deductible must not apply to preventive health services as described in Minnesota Rules, part 4685.0801, subpart 8. Where sections 62D.01 to 62D.30 permit a health maintenance organization to contain reasonable copayment provisions for preexisting health status, these provisions may vary with respect to length of enrollment in the plan. Any contract may provide for health care services in addition to those set forth in subdivision 7.

Subd. 9. "Provider" means any person who furnishes health services and is licensed or otherwise authorized to render such services in the state.

Subd. 10. "Consumer" means any person, including an enrollee, to whom a health maintenance organization directs marketing materials.

Subd. 11. "Local governmental unit" means any statutory or home rule charter city or county.

Subd. 12. "Participating entity" means any of the following persons, providers, companies, or other organizations with which the health maintenance organization has contracts or other agreements:

(1) a health care facility licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56, a nursing home licensed under sections 144A.02 to 144A.11, and any other health care facility otherwise licensed under the laws of this state or registered with the commissioner of health;

(2) a health care professional licensed under health-related licensing boards, as defined in section 214.01, subdivision 2, and any other health care professional otherwise licensed under the laws of this state or registered with the commissioner of health;

(3) a group, professional corporation, or other organization which provides the services of individuals or entities identified in (2), including but not limited to a medical clinic, a medical group, a home health care agency, an urgent care center, and an emergent care center;

(4) any person or organization providing administrative, financial, or management services to the health maintenance organization if the total payment for all services exceeds three percent of the gross revenues of the health maintenance organization.

"Participating entity" does not include (a) another health maintenance organization with which a health maintenance organization has made contractual arrangements or (b) any entity with which a health maintenance organization has contracted primarily in order to purchase or lease equipment or space or (c) employees of the health maintenance organization or (d) employees of any participating entity identified in clause (3).

Subd. 13. "Major participating entity" shall include the following:

(1) a participating entity that receives from the health maintenance organization as compensation for services a sum greater than 30 percent of the health maintenance organization's gross annual revenues;

(2) a participating entity providing administrative, financial, or management services to the health maintenance organization, if the total payment for all services provided by the participating entity exceeds three percent of the gross revenue of the health maintenance organization;

(3) a participating entity that nominates or appoints 30 percent or more of the board of directors of the health maintenance organization.

Subd. 14. "Separate health services contracts" means prepaid dental services contracts and other similar types of prepaid health services agreements in which services are provided by participating entities or employees of the health maintenance organization, but does not include contracts subject to chapter 62A or 62C.

Subd. 15. "Net worth" means admitted assets, as defined in section 62D.044, minus liabilities. Liabilities do not include those obligations that are subordinated in the same manner as preferred ownership claims under section 60B.44, subdivision 10. For purposes of this subdivision, preferred ownership claims under section 60B.44, subdivision 10, include promissory notes subordinated to all other liabilities of the health maintenance organization.

Subd. 16. "Affiliate" means a person or entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the person or entity.

HIST: 1973 c 670 s 2; 1974 c 284 s 1; 1977 c 305 s 45; 1981 c 122 s 1; 1983 c 205 s 1,2; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1; 1984 c 464 s 8-11; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 92; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 1; 1988 c 612 s 1,2; 1989 c 304 s 137; 1990 c 538 s 12,13; 1993 c 50 s 1; 1994 c 625 art 8 s 5; 1995 c 234 art 7 s 6; 1995 c 258 s 39; 1996 c 305 art 1 s 18; 1997 c 205 s 1; 1997 c 225 art 2 s 6

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Revisor of Statutes