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CHAPTER 256B. Medical assistance for needy persons

Table of Sections
SectionHeadnote
256B.01Policy.
256B.011Policy for childbirth and abortion funding.
256B.02Definitions.
256B.03Payments to vendors.
256B.031Prepaid health plans.
256B.035Managed care.
256B.037Prospective payment of dental services.
256B.038Provider rate increases after June 30, 1999.
256B.039Reporting of supplemental nursing services agency use.
256B.04Duties of state agency.
256B.041Centralized disbursement of medical assistance payments.
256B.042Third party liability.
256B.05Administration by county agencies.
256B.055Eligibility categories.
256B.056Eligibility; residency; resources; income.
256B.057Eligibility; income and asset limitations for special categories.
256B.0575Availability of income for institutionalized persons.
256B.058Treatment of income of institutionalized spouse.
256B.059Treatment of assets when a spouse is institutionalized.
256B.0595Prohibitions on transfer; exceptions.
256B.06Eligibility; migrant workers; citizenship.
256B.061Eligibility; retroactive effect; restrictions.
256B.062Repealed, 1998 c 407 art 6 s 12,118
256B.0621Covered services: targeted case management services.
256B.0623Covered service: adult rehabilitative mental health services.
256B.0624Covered service: adult mental health crisis response services.
256B.0625Covered services.
256B.0626Estimation of 50th percentile of prevailing charges.
256B.0627Covered service; home care services.
256B.0628Prior authorization and review of home care services.
256B.0629Advisory committee on organ and tissue transplants.
256B.063Cost sharing.
256B.0635Continued eligibility in special circumstances.
256B.0637Presumptive eligibility for certain persons needing treatment for breast or cervical cancer.
256B.064Sanctions; monetary recovery.
256B.0641Recovery of overpayments.
256B.0642Federal financial participation.
256B.0643Vendor request for contested case proceeding.
256B.0644Participation required for reimbursement under other state health care programs.
256B.0645Provider payments; retroactive changes in eligibility.
256B.065Social security amendments.
256B.07Repealed, 1987 c 403 art 2 s 164
256B.071Medicare maximization program.
256B.08Application.
256B.09Investigations.
256B.091Repealed, 1991 c 292 art 7 s 26
256B.0911Long-term care consultation services.
256B.0912Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76
256B.0913Alternative care program.
256B.0914Conflicts of interest related to Medicaid expenditures.
256B.0915Medicaid waiver for home and community-based services for the elderly.
256B.0916Expansion of home and community-based services; management and allocation responsibilities.
256B.0917Seniors' Agenda for Independent Living (SAIL) projects for a new long-term care strategy.
256B.0919Adult foster care and family adult day care.
256B.092Case management of persons with mental retardation or related conditions.
256B.0924Targeted case management services for vulnerable adults and persons with developmental disabilities.
256B.0925Repealed, 1995 c 186 s 51
256B.0926Admission review team for admissions to intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.
256B.0928Statewide caregiver support and respite care project.
256B.093Services for persons with traumatic brain injuries.
256B.094Child welfare targeted case management services.
256B.0945Residential services for children with severe emotional disturbance.
256B.095Quality assurance project established.
256B.0951Quality assurance commission.
256B.0952County duties; quality assurance teams.
256B.0953Quality assurance process.
256B.0954Certain persons defined as mandated reporters.
256B.0955Duties of the commissioner of human services.
256B.10Repealed, 1976 c 131 s 2
256B.11Repealed, 1976 c 131 s 2
256B.12Legal representation.
256B.121Treble damages.
256B.13Subpoenas.
256B.14Relative's responsibility.
256B.15Claims against estates.
256B.16Repealed, 1971 c 550 s 2
256B.17Transfers of property.
256B.18Methods of administration.
256B.19Division of cost.
256B.195Additional intergovernmental transfers; hospital payments.
256B.20County appropriations.
256B.21Change of residence.
256B.22Compliance with Social Security Act.
256B.23Use of federal funds.
256B.24Prohibitions.
256B.25Payments to certified facilities.
256B.26Agreements with other state departments.
256B.27Medical assistance; cost reports.
256B.30Health care facility report.
256B.31Continued hospital care for long-term polio patient.
256B.32Facility fee for outpatient hospital emergency room and clinic visits.
256B.35Personal allowance, persons in skilled nursing homes or intermediate care facilities.
256B.36Personal allowance for certain recipients of medical assistance.
256B.37Private insurance policies, causes of action.
256B.39Avoidance of duplicate payments.
256B.40Subsidy for abortions prohibited.
256B.41Intent.
256B.411Compliance with state statutes.
256B.42Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19
256B.421Definitions.
256B.43Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19
256B.431Rate determination.
256B.432Long-term care facilities; central, affiliated, or corporate office costs.
256B.433Ancillary services.
256B.434Contractual alternative payment demonstration project for nursing homes.
256B.435Nursing facility reimbursement system effective July 1, 2001.
256B.436Voluntary closures; planning.
256B.437Nursing facility voluntary closures; planning and development of community-based alternatives.
256B.438Implementation of a case mix system for nursing facilities based on the minimum data set.
256B.439Long-term care quality profiles.
256B.44
256B.45Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19
256B.46Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19
256B.47Nonallowable costs; notice of increases to private paying residents; allocation of costs.
256B.48Conditions for participation.
256B.49Chronically ill children and disabled persons; home and community-based waiver study and application.
256B.491Waivered services.
256B.495Nursing facility receivership fees.
256B.50Appeals.
256B.501Rates for community-based services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.
256B.5011ICF/MR reimbursement system effective October 1, 2000.
256B.5012ICF/MR payment system implementation.
256B.5013Payment rate adjustments.
256B.5014Financial reporting.
256B.5015Pass-through of training and habilitation services costs.
256B.502Rules.
256B.503Rules.
256B.504Repealed, 1995 c 248 art 2 s 8
256B.51Nursing homes; cost of home care.
256B.53Dental access grants.
256B.55Dental access advisory committee.
256B.56Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.57Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.58Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.59Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.60Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.61Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.62Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.63Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1
256B.64Attendants to ventilator-dependent recipients.
256B.69Prepayment demonstration project.
256B.691Risk-based transportation payments.
256B.692County-based purchasing.
256B.693State-operated services; managed care.
256B.70Demonstration project waiver.
256B.71Social health maintenance organization demonstration.
256B.72Right of appeal.
256B.73Demonstration project for uninsured low-income persons.
256B.74Special payments.
256B.75Hospital outpatient reimbursement.
256B.76Physician and dental reimbursement.
256B.761Reimbursement for mental health services.
256B.765Provider rate increases.
256B.77Coordinated service delivery system for people with disabilities.
256B.78Medical assistance demonstration project for family planning services.
256B.81Mental health provider appeal process.
256B.82Prepaid plans and mental health rehabilitative services.
256B.83Maintenance of effort for certain mental health services.

256B.01 Policy.

Medical assistance for needy persons whose resources are not adequate to meet the cost of such care is hereby declared to be a matter of state concern. To provide such care, a statewide program of medical assistance, with free choice of vendor, is hereby established.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 1

256B.011 Policy for childbirth and abortion funding.

Between normal childbirth and abortion it is the policy of the state of Minnesota that normal childbirth is to be given preference, encouragement and support by law and by state action, it being in the best interests of the well being and common good of Minnesota citizens.

HIST: 1978 c 508 s 1

256B.02 Definitions.

Subdivision 1. Repealed, 1987 c 363 s 14

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1987 c 363 s 14

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1987 c 363 s 14

Subd. 4. "Medical institution" means any licensed medical facility that receives a license from the Minnesota health department or department of human services or appropriate licensing authority of this state, any other state, or a Canadian province.

Subd. 5. "State agency" means the commissioner of human services.

Subd. 6. "County agency" means a local social service agency operating under and pursuant to the provisions of chapter 393.

Subd. 7. "Vendor of medical care" means any person or persons furnishing, within the scope of the vendor's respective license, any or all of the following goods or services: medical, surgical, hospital, optical, visual, dental and nursing services; drugs and medical supplies; appliances; laboratory, diagnostic, and therapeutic services; nursing home and convalescent care; screening and health assessment services provided by public health nurses as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 18; health care services provided at the residence of the patient if the services are performed by a public health nurse and the nurse indicates in a statement submitted under oath that the services were actually provided; and such other medical services or supplies provided or prescribed by persons authorized by state law to give such services and supplies. The term includes, but is not limited to, directors and officers of corporations or members of partnerships who, either individually or jointly with another or others, have the legal control, supervision, or responsibility of submitting claims for reimbursement to the medical assistance program. The term only includes directors and officers of corporations who personally receive a portion of the distributed assets upon liquidation or dissolution, and their liability is limited to the portion of the claim that bears the same proportion to the total claim as their share of the distributed assets bears to the total distributed assets.

Subd. 8. Medical assistance; medical care. "Medical assistance" or "medical care" means payment of part or all of the cost of the care and services identified in section 256B.0625, for eligible individuals whose income and resources are insufficient to meet all of this cost.

Subd. 8a. Renumbered 256B.0625 subdivision 1

Subd. 8b. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 2

Subd. 8c. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 3

Subd. 8d. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 4

Subd. 8e. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 5

Subd. 8f. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 6

Subd. 8g. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 7

Subd. 8h. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 8

Subd. 8i. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 9

Subd. 8j. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 10

Subd. 8k. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 11

Subd. 8l. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 12

Subd. 8m. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 13

Subd. 8n. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 14

Subd. 8o. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 15

Subd. 8p. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 16

Subd. 8q. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 17

Subd. 8r. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 18

Subd. 8s. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 19

Subd. 8t. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 20

Subd. 8u. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 21

Subd. 8v. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 22

Subd. 8w. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 23

Subd. 8x. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 24

Subd. 8y. Renumbered 256B.0625 subd 25

Subd. 9. "Private health care coverage" means any plan regulated by chapter 62A, 62C or 64B. Private health care coverage also includes any self-insurance plan providing health care benefits.

Subd. 10. "Automobile accident coverage" means any plan, or that portion of a plan, regulated under chapter 65B, which provides benefits for medical expenses incurred in an automobile accident.

Subd. 11. "Related condition" means that condition defined in section 252.27, subdivision 1a.

Subd. 12. "Third party payer" means a person, entity, or agency or government program that has a probable obligation to pay all or part of the costs of a medical assistance recipient's health services.

Subd. 13. Prepaid health plan. "Prepaid health plan" means a vendor who receives a capitation payment and assumes financial risk for the provision of medical assistance services under a contract with the commissioner.

Subd. 14. Group health plan. "Group health plan" means any plan of, or contributed to by, an employer, including a self-insured plan, to provide health care directly or otherwise to the employer's employees, former employees, or the families of the employees or former employees, and includes continuation coverage pursuant to title XXII of the Public Health Service Act, section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or title VI of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Subd. 15. Cost-effective. "Cost-effective" means that the amount paid by the state for premiums, coinsurance, deductibles, other cost-sharing obligations under a health insurance plan, and other administrative costs is likely to be less than the amount paid for an equivalent set of services paid by medical assistance.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 2; 1969 c 395 s 1; 1973 c 717 s 17; 1975 c 247 s 9; 1975 c 384 s 1; 1975 c 437 art 2 s 3; 1976 c 173 s 56; 1976 c 236 s 1; 1976 c 312 s 1; 1978 c 508 s 2; 1978 c 560 s 10; 1981 c 360 art 2 s 26,54; 1Sp1981 c 2 s 12; 1Sp1981 c 4 art 4 s 22; 3Sp1981 c 2 art 1 s 31; 1982 c 562 s 2; 1983 c 151 s 1,2; 1983 c 312 art 1 s 27; art 5 s 10; art 9 s 4; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 21 s 52-54; 1985 c 49 s 41; 1985 c 252 s 19,20; 1Sp1985 c 3 s 19; 1986 c 394 s 17; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 370 art 1 s 3; art 2 s 4; 1987 c 374 s 1; 1987 c 309 s 24; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 73,74; art 5 s 16; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 141,268; 1992 c 464 art 1 s 55; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 31,32; 1994 c 631 s 31

256B.03 Payments to vendors.

Subdivision 1. General limit. All payments for medical assistance hereunder must be made to the vendor. The maximum payment for new vendors enrolled in the medical assistance program after the base year shall be determined from the average usual and customary charge of the same vendor type enrolled in the base year.

Subd. 2. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 3. Tribal purchasing model. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1 and sections 256B.0625 and 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (i), the commissioner may make payments to federally recognized Indian tribes with a reservation in the state to provide medical assistance and general assistance medical care to Indians, as defined under federal law, who reside on or near the reservation. The payments may be made in the form of a block grant or other payment mechanism determined in consultation with the tribe. Any alternative payment mechanism agreed upon by the tribes and the commissioner under this subdivision is not dependent upon county or health plan agreement but is intended to create a direct payment mechanism between the state and the tribe for the administration of the medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs, and for covered services.

(b) A tribe that implements a purchasing model under this subdivision shall report to the commissioner at least annually on the operation of the model. The commissioner and the tribe shall cooperatively determine the data elements, format, and timetable for the report.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "Indian tribe" means a tribe, band, or nation, or other organized group or community of Indians that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians and for which a reservation exists as is consistent with Public Law Number 100-485, as amended.

(d) Payments under this subdivision may not result in an increase in expenditures that would not otherwise occur in the medical assistance program under this chapter or the general assistance medical care program under chapter 256D.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 3; 1981 c 360 art 2 s 27,54; 1Sp1981 c 2 s 13; 1Sp1981 c 4 art 4 s 22; 3Sp1982 c 1 art 2 s 4; 1983 c 312 art 1 s 27; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 63; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 75; 1996 c 451 art 5 s 14; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 11

* NOTE: Subdivision 3, as added by Laws 1996, chapter 451, *article 5, section 14, is effective October 1, 1996, or upon *receipt of any necessary federal approval, whichever date is *later. Laws 1996, chapter 451, article 5, section 40.

256B.031 Prepaid health plans.

Subdivision 1. Contracts. The commissioner may contract with health insurers licensed and operating under chapters 60A and 62A, nonprofit health service plans licensed and operating under chapter 62C, health maintenance organizations licensed and operating under chapter 62D, and vendors of medical care and organizations participating in prepaid programs under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, clause (b), to provide medical services to medical assistance recipients. Notwithstanding any other law, health insurers may enter into contracts with the commissioner under this section. As a condition of the contract, health insurers and health service plan corporations must agree to comply with the requirements of section 62D.04, subdivision 1, clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), and (f), and provide a complaint procedure that satisfies the requirements of section 62D.11. Nothing in this section permits health insurers not licensed as health maintenance organizations under chapter 62D to offer a prepaid health plan as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 12, to persons other than those receiving medical assistance or general assistance medical care under this section. Contracts between the commissioner and a prepaid health plan are exempt from the set-aside and preference provisions of section 16C.16, subdivisions 6, paragraph (a), and 7. Contracts must specify the services that are included in the per capita rate. Contracts must specify those services that are to be eligible for risk sharing between the prepaid health plan and the state. Contracts must also state that payment must be made within 60 days after the month of coverage.

Subd. 2. Services. State contracts for these services must assure recipients of at least the comprehensive health services defined in sections 256B.02, subdivision 8, and 256B.0625, except services defined in section 256B.0625, subdivisions 2, 5, 18, and 19a, and except services defined as chemical dependency services and mental health services.

Contracts under this section must include provision for assessing pregnant women to determine their risk of poor pregnancy outcome. Contracts must also include provision for treatment of women found to be at risk of poor pregnancy outcome.

Subd. 3. Information required. Prepaid health plans under contract must provide information to the commissioner according to the contract specifications. The information must include, at a minimum, the number of people receiving services, the number of encounters, the types of services received, evidence of an operating quality assurance program, and information about the use of and actual recoveries of available third-party resources. A plan under contract to provide services in a county must provide the county agency with the most current listing of the health care providers whose services are covered by the plan.

Subd. 4. Prepaid health plan rates. For payments made during calendar year 1988, the monthly maximum allowable rate established by the commissioner of human services for payment to prepaid health plans must not exceed 90 percent of the projected average monthly per capita fee-for-service medical assistance costs for state fiscal year 1988 for recipients of the aid to families with dependent children program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87. The base year for projecting the average monthly per capita fee-for-service medical assistance costs is state fiscal year 1986. A maximum allowable per capita rate must be established collectively for Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, St. Louis, Scott, and Washington counties. A separate maximum allowable per capita rate must be established collectively for all other counties. The maximum allowable per capita rate may be adjusted to reflect utilization differences among eligible classes of recipients. For payments made during calendar year 1989, the maximum allowable rate must be calculated in the same way as 1988 rates, except the base year is state fiscal year 1987. For payments made during calendar year 1990 and later years, the commissioner shall consult with an independent actuary in establishing prepayment rates, but shall retain final control over the rate methodology. Rates established for prepaid health plans must be based on the services that the prepaid health plan provides under contract with the commissioner.

Subd. 5. Free choice limited. (a) The commissioner may require recipients of the Minnesota family investment program to enroll in a prepaid health plan and receive services from or through the prepaid health plan, with the following exceptions:

(1) recipients who are refugees and whose health services are reimbursed 100 percent by the federal government; and

(2) recipients who are placed in a foster home or facility. If placement occurs before the seventh day prior to the end of any month, the recipient will be disenrolled from the recipient's prepaid health plan effective the first day of the following month. If placement occurs after the seventh day before the end of any month, that recipient will be disenrolled from the prepaid health plan on the first day of the second month following placement. The prepaid health plan must provide all services set forth in subdivision 2 during the interim period.

Enrollment in a prepaid health plan is mandatory only when recipients have a choice of at least two prepaid health plans.

(b) Recipients who become eligible on or after December 1, 1987, must choose a health plan within 30 days of the date eligibility is determined. At the time of application, the local agency shall ask the recipient whether the recipient has a primary health care provider. If the recipient has not chosen a health plan within 30 days but has provided the local agency with the name of a primary health care provider, the local agency shall determine whether the provider participates in a prepaid health plan available to the recipient and, if so, the local agency shall select that plan on the recipient's behalf. If the recipient has not provided the name of a primary health care provider who participates in an available prepaid health plan, commissioner shall randomly assign the recipient to a health plan.

(c) If possible, the local agency shall ask whether the recipient has a primary health care provider and the procedures under paragraph (b) shall apply. If a recipient does not choose a prepaid health plan by this date, the commissioner shall randomly assign the recipient to a health plan.

(d) The commissioner shall request a waiver from the federal Health Care Financing Administration to limit a recipient's ability to change health plans to once every six or 12 months. If such a waiver is obtained, each recipient must be enrolled in the health plan for a minimum of six or 12 months. A recipient may change health plans once within the first 60 days after initial enrollment.

(e) Women who are receiving medical assistance due to pregnancy and later become eligible for the Minnesota family investment program are not required to choose a prepaid health plan until 60 days postpartum. An infant born as a result of that pregnancy must be enrolled in a prepaid health plan at the same time as the mother.

(f) If third-party coverage is available to a recipient through enrollment in a prepaid health plan through employment, through coverage by the former spouse, or if a duty of support has been imposed by law, order, decree, or judgment of a court under section 518.551, the obligee or recipient shall participate in the prepaid health plan in which the obligee has enrolled provided that the commissioner has contracted with the plan.

Subd. 6. Ombudsman. The commissioner shall designate an ombudsman to advocate for persons required to enroll in prepaid health plans under this section. The ombudsman shall advocate for recipients enrolled in prepaid health plans through complaint and appeal procedures and ensure that necessary medical services are provided either by the prepaid health plan directly or by referral to appropriate social services. At the time of enrollment in a prepaid health plan, the local agency shall inform recipients about the ombudsman program and their right to a resolution of a complaint by the prepaid health plan if they experience a problem with the plan or its providers.

Subd. 7. Services pending appeal. If the recipient appeals in writing to the state agency on or before the tenth day after the decision of the prepaid health plan to reduce, suspend, or terminate services which the recipient had been receiving, and the treating physician or another plan physician orders the services to be continued at the previous level, the prepaid health plan must continue to provide services at a level equal to the level ordered by the plan's physician until the state agency renders its decision.

Subd. 8. Case management. The commissioner shall prepare a report to the legislature by January 1988, that describes the issues involved in successfully implementing a case management system in counties where the commissioner has fewer than two prepaid health plans under contract to provide health care services to eligible classes of recipients. In the report the commissioner shall address which health care providers could be case managers, the responsibilities of the case manager, the assumption of risk by the case manager, the services to be provided either directly or by referral, reimbursement concerns, federal waivers that may be required, and other issues that may affect the quality and cost of care under such a system.

Subd. 9. Prepayment coordinator. The local agency shall designate a prepayment coordinator to assist the state agency in implementing this section, section 256B.69, and section 256D.03, subdivision 4. Assistance must include educating recipients about available health care options, enrolling recipients under subdivision 5, providing necessary eligibility and enrollment information to health plans and the state agency, and coordinating complaints and appeals with the ombudsman established in subdivision 6.

Subd. 10. Impact on public or teaching hospitals and community clinics. (a) Before implementing prepaid programs in counties with a county operated or affiliated public teaching hospital or a hospital or clinic operated by the University of Minnesota, the commissioner shall consider the risks the prepaid program creates for the hospital and allow the county or hospital the opportunity to participate in the program, provided the terms of participation in the program are competitive with the terms of other participants.

(b) Prepaid health plans serving counties with a nonprofit community clinic or community health services agency must contract with the clinic or agency to provide services to clients who choose to receive services from the clinic or agency, if the clinic or agency agrees to payment rates that are competitive with rates paid to other health plan providers for the same or similar services.

Subd. 11. Limitation on reimbursement to providers not affiliated with a prepaid health plan. A prepaid health plan may limit any reimbursement it may be required to pay to providers not employed by or under contract with the prepaid health plan to the medical assistance rates for medical assistance enrollees, and the general assistance medical care rates for general assistance medical care enrollees, paid by the commissioner of human services to providers for services to recipients not enrolled in a prepaid health plan.

HIST: 1987 c 403 art 2 s 76; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 142,268; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 40; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 31,32; 1998 c 386 art 2 s 77; 1999 c 159 s 51,52; 2000 c 260 s 30

256B.035 Managed care.

The commissioner of human services may contract with public or private entities or operate a preferred provider program to deliver health care services to medical assistance, general assistance medical care, and MinnesotaCare program recipients. The commissioner may enter into risk-based and non-risk-based contracts. Contracts may be for the full range of health services, or a portion thereof, for medical assistance and general assistance medical care populations to determine the effectiveness of various provider reimbursement and care delivery mechanisms. The commissioner may seek necessary federal waivers and implement projects when approval of the waivers is obtained from the Health Care Financing Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

HIST: 1990 c 568 art 3 s 20; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 33; 1995 c 234 art 8 s 56

256B.037 Prospective payment of dental services.

Subdivision 1. Contract for dental services. The commissioner may conduct a demonstration project to contract, on a prospective per capita payment basis, with an organization or organizations licensed under chapter 62C, 62D, or 62N for the provision of all dental care services beginning July 1, 1994, under the medical assistance, general assistance medical care, and MinnesotaCare programs, or when necessary waivers are granted by the secretary of health and human services, whichever occurs later. The commissioner shall identify a geographic area or areas, including both urban and rural areas, where access to dental services has been inadequate, in which to conduct demonstration projects. The commissioner shall seek any federal waivers or approvals necessary to implement this section from the secretary of health and human services.

The commissioner may exclude from participation in the demonstration project any or all groups currently excluded from participation in the prepaid medical assistance program under section 256B.69. Except for persons excluded from participation in the demonstration project, all persons who have been determined eligible for medical assistance, general assistance medical care and, if applicable, MinnesotaCare and reside in the designated geographic areas are required to enroll in a dental plan to receive their dental care services. Except for emergency services or out-of-plan services authorized by the dental plan, recipients must receive their dental services from dental care providers who are part of the dental plan provider network.

The commissioner shall select either multiple dental plans or a single dental plan in a designated area. A dental plan under contract with the department must serve both medical assistance recipients and general assistance medical care recipients in a designated geographic area and may serve MinnesotaCare recipients. The commissioner may limit the number of dental plans with which the department contracts within a designated geographic area, taking into consideration the number of recipients within the designated geographic area; the number of potential dental plan contractors; the size of the provider network offered by dental plans; the dental care services offered by a dental plan; qualifications of dental plan personnel; accessibility of services to recipients; dental plan assurances of recipient confidentiality; dental plan marketing and enrollment activities; dental plan compliance with this section; dental plan performance under other contracts with the department to serve medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or MinnesotaCare recipients; or any other factors necessary to provide the most economical care consistent with high standards of dental care.

For purposes of this section, "dental plan" means an organization licensed under chapter 62C, 62D, or 62N that contracts with the department to provide covered dental care services to recipients on a prepaid capitation basis. "Emergency services" has the meaning given in section 256B.0625, subdivision 4. "Multiple dental plan area" means a designated area in which more than one dental plan is offered. "Participating provider" means a dentist or dental clinic who is employed by or under contract with a dental plan to provide dental care services to recipients. "Single dental plan area" means a designated area in which only one dental plan is available.

Subd. 1a. Multiple dental plan areas. After the department has executed contracts with dental plans to provide covered dental care services in a multiple dental plan area, the department shall:

(1) inform applicants and recipients, in writing, of available dental plans, when written notice of dental plan selection must be submitted to the department, and when dental plan participation begins;

(2) assign to a dental plan recipients who fail to notify the department in writing of their dental plan choice; and

(3) notify recipients, in writing, of their assigned dental plan before the effective date of the recipient's dental plan participation.

Subd. 1b. Single dental plan areas. After the department has executed a contract with a dental plan to provide covered dental care services as the sole dental plan in a geographic area, the provisions in paragraphs (a) to (c) apply.

(a) The department shall assure that applicants and recipients are informed, in writing, of participating providers in the dental plan and when dental plan participation begins.

(b) The dental plan may require the recipient to select a specific dentist or dental clinic and may assign to a specific dentist or dental clinic recipients who fail to notify the dental plan of their selection.

(c) The dental plan shall notify recipients in writing of their assigned providers before the effective date of dental plan participation.

Subd. 1c. Dental choice. (a) In multiple dental plan areas, recipients may change dental plans once within the first year the recipient participates in a dental plan. After the first year of dental plan participation, recipients may change dental plans during the annual 30-day open enrollment period.

(b) In single dental plan areas, recipients may change their specific dentist or clinic at least once during the first year of dental plan participation. After the first year of dental plan participation, recipients may change their specific dentist or clinic at least once annually. The dental plan shall notify recipients of this change option.

(c) If a dental plan's contract with the department is terminated for any reason, recipients in that dental plan shall select a new dental plan and may change dental plans or a specific dentist or clinic within the first 60 days of participation in the second dental plan.

(d) Recipients may change dental plans or a specific dentist or clinic at any time as follows:

(1) in multiple dental plan areas, if the travel time from the recipient's residence to a general practice dentist is over 30 minutes, the recipient may change dental plans;

(2) in single dental plan areas, if the travel time from the recipient's residence to the recipient's specific dentist or clinic is over 30 minutes, the recipient may change providers; or

(3) if the recipient's dental plan or specific dentist or clinic was incorrectly designated due to department or dental plan error.

(e) Requests for change under this subdivision must be submitted to the department or dental plan in writing. The department or dental plan shall notify recipients whether the request is approved or denied within 30 days after receipt of the written request.

Subd. 2. Establishment of prepayment rates. The commissioner shall consult with an independent actuary to establish prepayment rates, but shall retain final authority over the methodology used to establish the rates. The prepayment rates shall not result in payments that exceed the per capita expenditures that would have been made for dental services by the programs under a fee-for-service reimbursement system. The package of dental benefits provided to individuals under this subdivision shall not be less than the package of benefits provided under the medical assistance fee-for-service reimbursement system for dental services.

Subd. 3. Appeals. All recipients of services under this section have the right to appeal to the commissioner under section 256.045. A recipient participating in a dental plan may utilize the dental plan's internal complaint procedure but is not required to exhaust the internal complaint procedure before appealing to the commissioner. The appeal rights and procedures in Minnesota Rules, part 9500.1463, apply to recipients who enroll in dental plans.

Subd. 4. Information required by commissioner. A contractor shall submit encounter-specific information as required by the commissioner, including, but not limited to, information required for assessing client satisfaction, quality of care, and cost and utilization of services. Dental plans and participating providers must provide the commissioner access to recipient dental records to monitor compliance with the requirements of this section.

Subd. 5. Other contracts permitted. Nothing in this section prohibits the commissioner from contracting with an organization for comprehensive health services, including dental services, under section 256B.031, 256B.035, 256B.69, or 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (c).

Subd. 6. Recipient costs. A dental plan and its participating providers or nonparticipating providers who provide emergency services or services authorized by the dental plan shall not charge recipients for any costs for covered services.

Subd. 7. Financial accountability. A dental plan is accountable to the commissioner for the fiscal management of covered dental care services. The state of Minnesota and recipients shall be held harmless for the payment of obligations incurred by a dental plan if the dental plan or a participating provider becomes insolvent and the department has made the payments due to the dental plan under the contract.

Subd. 8. Quality improvement. A dental plan shall have an internal quality improvement system. A dental plan shall permit the commissioner or the commissioner's agents to evaluate the quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of covered dental care services through inspections, site visits, and review of dental records.

Subd. 9. Third-party liability. To the extent required under section 62A.046 and Minnesota Rules, part 9506.0080, a dental plan shall coordinate benefits for or recover the cost of dental care services provided recipients who have other dental care coverage. Coordination of benefits includes the dental plan paying applicable copayments or deductibles on behalf of a recipient.

Subd. 10. Financial capacity. A dental plan shall demonstrate that its financial risk capacity is acceptable to its participating providers; except, an organization licensed as a health maintenance organization under chapter 62D, a nonprofit health service plan under chapter 62C, or a community integrated service network under chapter 62N, is not required to demonstrate financial risk capacity beyond the requirements in those chapters for licensure or a certificate of authority.

Subd. 11. Data privacy. The contract between the commissioner and the dental plan must specify that the dental plan is an agent of the welfare system and shall have access to welfare data on recipients to the extent necessary to carry out the dental plan's responsibilities under the contract. The dental plan shall comply with chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

HIST: 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 27; 1995 c 234 art 6 s 22-33; 1997 c 203 art 9 s 9; 1997 c 225 art 2 s 62

256B.038 Provider rate increases after June 30, 1999.

(a) For fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 1999, the commissioner of finance shall include an annual inflationary adjustment in payment rates for the services listed in paragraph (b) as a budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11. The adjustment shall be accomplished by indexing the rates in effect for inflation based on the change in the Consumer Price Index-All Items (United States city average)(CPI-U) as forecasted by Data Resources, Inc., in the fourth quarter of the prior year for the calendar year during which the rate increase occurs.

(b) Within the limits of appropriations specifically for this purpose, the commissioner shall apply the rate increases in paragraph (a) to home and community-based waiver services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions under section 256B.501; home and community-based waiver services for the elderly under section 256B.0915; waivered services under community alternatives for disabled individuals under section 256B.49; community alternative care waivered services under section 256B.49; traumatic brain injury waivered services under section 256B.49; nursing services and home health services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a; personal care services and nursing supervision of personal care services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a; private duty nursing services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 7; day training and habilitation services for adults with mental retardation or related conditions under sections 252.40 to 252.46; physical therapy services under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 8, and 256D.03, subdivision 4; occupational therapy services under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 8a, and 256D.03, subdivision 4; speech-language therapy services under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390; respiratory therapy services under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0295; physician services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 3; dental services under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 9, and 256D.03, subdivision 4; alternative care services under section 256B.0913; adult residential program grants under Minnesota Rules, parts 9535.2000 to 9535.3000; adult and family community support grants under Minnesota Rules, parts 9535.1700 to 9535.1760; and semi-independent living services under section 252.275, including SILS funding under county social services grants formerly funded under chapter 256I.

(c) The commissioner shall increase prepaid medical assistance program capitation rates as appropriate to reflect the rate increases in this section.

(d) In implementing this section, the commissioner shall consider proposing a schedule to equalize rates paid by different programs for the same service.

HIST: 1998 c 407 art 4 s 12

256B.039 Reporting of supplemental nursing services agency use.

Beginning March 1, 2002, the commissioner shall report to the legislature annually on the use of supplemental nursing services, including the number of hours worked by supplemental nursing services agency personnel and payments to supplemental nursing services agencies.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 7 s 7

256B.04 Duties of state agency.

Subdivision 1. The state agency shall: Supervise the administration of medical assistance for eligible recipients by the county agencies hereunder.

Subd. 1a. Comprehensive health services system. The commissioner shall carry out the duties in this section with the participation of the boards of county commissioners, and with full consideration for the interests of counties, to plan and implement a unified, accountable, comprehensive health services system that:

(1) promotes accessible and quality health care for all Minnesotans;

(2) assures provision of adequate health care within limited state and county resources;

(3) avoids shifting funding burdens to county tax resources;

(4) provides statewide eligibility, benefit, and service expectations;

(5) manages care, develops risk management strategies, and contains cost in all health and human services; and

(6) supports effective implementation of publicly funded health and human services for all areas of the state.

Subd. 1b. Contract for administrative services for American Indian children. Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the commissioner may contract with federally recognized Indian tribes with a reservation in Minnesota for the provision of early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment administrative services for American Indian children, according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 441, subpart B, and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.1693 et seq., when the tribe chooses to provide such services. For purposes of this subdivision, "American Indian" has the meaning given to persons to whom services will be provided for in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 36.12. Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9505.1748, subpart 1, the commissioner, the local agency, and the tribe may contract with any entity for the provision of early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment administrative services.

Subd. 2. Rulemaking authority. Make uniform rules, not inconsistent with law, for carrying out and enforcing the provisions hereof in an efficient, economical, and impartial manner, and to the end that the medical assistance system may be administered uniformly throughout the state, having regard for varying costs of medical care in different parts of the state and the conditions in each case, and in all things to carry out the spirit and purpose of this program, which rules shall be furnished immediately to all county agencies, and shall be binding on such county agencies.

Subd. 3. Required forms. Prescribe the form of, print, and supply to the county agencies, blanks for applications, reports, affidavits, and such other forms as it may deem necessary or advisable.

Subd. 4. Cooperation with federal agency. Cooperate with the federal Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in any reasonable manner as may be necessary to qualify for federal aid in connection with the medical assistance program, including the making of such reports in such form and containing such information as the department of health, education, and welfare may, from time to time, require, and comply with such provisions as such department may, from time to time, find necessary to assure the correctness and verifications of such reports.

Subd. 5. Annual report required. The state agency within 60 days after the close of each fiscal year, shall prepare and print for the fiscal year a report that includes a full account of the operations and expenditure of funds under this chapter, a full account of the activities undertaken in accordance with subdivision 10, adequate and complete statistics divided by counties about all medical assistance provided in accordance with this chapter, and any other information it may deem advisable.

Subd. 6. Monthly statement. Prepare and release a summary statement monthly showing by counties the amount paid hereunder and the total number of persons assisted.

Subd. 7. Program safeguards. Establish and enforce safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosure or improper use of the information contained in applications, reports of investigations and medical examinations, and correspondence in the individual case records of recipients of medical assistance.

Subd. 8. Information. Furnish information to acquaint needy persons and the public generally with the plan for medical assistance of this state.

Subd. 9. Reciprocal agreements. Cooperate with agencies in other states in establishing reciprocal agreements to provide for payment of medical assistance to recipients who have moved to another state, consistent with the provisions hereof and of Title XIX of the Social Security Act of the United States of America.

Subd. 10. Investigation of certain claims. Establish by rule general criteria and procedures for the identification and prompt investigation of suspected medical assistance fraud, theft, abuse, presentment of false or duplicate claims, presentment of claims for services not medically necessary, or false statement or representation of material facts by a vendor of medical care, and for the imposition of sanctions against a vendor of medical care. If it appears to the state agency that a vendor of medical care may have acted in a manner warranting civil or criminal proceedings, it shall so inform the attorney general in writing.

Subd. 11. Repealed, 1997 c 7 art 2 s 67

Subd. 12. Limitation on services. Place limits on the types of services covered by medical assistance, the frequency with which the same or similar services may be covered by medical assistance for an individual recipient, and the amount paid for each covered service. The state agency shall promulgate rules establishing maximum reimbursement rates for emergency and nonemergency transportation.

The rules shall provide:

(a) An opportunity for all recognized transportation providers to be reimbursed for nonemergency transportation consistent with the maximum rates established by the agency;

(b) Reimbursement of public and private nonprofit providers serving the handicapped population generally at reasonable maximum rates that reflect the cost of providing the service regardless of the fare that might be charged by the provider for similar services to individuals other than those receiving medical assistance or medical care under this chapter; and

(c) Reimbursement for each additional passenger carried on a single trip at a substantially lower rate than the first passenger carried on that trip.

The commissioner shall encourage providers reimbursed under this chapter to coordinate their operation with similar services that are operating in the same community. To the extent practicable, the commissioner shall encourage eligible individuals to utilize less expensive providers capable of serving their needs.

For the purpose of this subdivision and section 256B.02, subdivision 8, and effective on January 1, 1981, "recognized provider of transportation services" means an operator of special transportation service as defined in section 174.29 that has been issued a current certificate of compliance with operating standards of the commissioner of transportation or, if those standards do not apply to the operator, that the agency finds is able to provide the required transportation in a safe and reliable manner. Until January 1, 1981, "recognized transportation provider" includes an operator of special transportation service that the agency finds is able to provide the required transportation in a safe and reliable manner.

Subd. 13. Medical necessity review. Each person appointed by the commissioner to participate in decisions whether medical care to be provided to eligible recipients is medically necessary shall abstain from participation in those cases in which the appointee(a) has issued treatment orders in the care of the patient or participated in the formulation or execution of the patient's treatment plan or (b) has, or a member of the appointee's family has, an ownership interest of five percent or more in the institution that provided or proposed to provide the services being reviewed.

Subd. 14. Competitive bidding. When determined to be effective, economical, and feasible, the commissioner may utilize volume purchase through competitive bidding and negotiation under the provisions of chapter 16C, to provide items under the medical assistance program including but not limited to the following:

(1) eyeglasses;

(2) oxygen. The commissioner shall provide for oxygen needed in an emergency situation on a short-term basis, until the vendor can obtain the necessary supply from the contract dealer;

(3) hearing aids and supplies; and

(4) durable medical equipment, including but not limited to:

(a) hospital beds;

(b) commodes;

(c) glide-about chairs;

(d) patient lift apparatus;

(e) wheelchairs and accessories;

(f) oxygen administration equipment;

(g) respiratory therapy equipment;

(h) electronic diagnostic, therapeutic and life support systems;

(5) special transportation services; and

(6) drugs.

Subd. 15. Utilization review. (1) Establish on a statewide basis a new program to safeguard against unnecessary or inappropriate use of medical assistance services, against excess payments, against unnecessary or inappropriate hospital admissions or lengths of stay, and against underutilization of services in prepaid health plans, long-term care facilities or any health care delivery system subject to fixed rate reimbursement. In implementing the program, the state agency shall utilize both prepayment and postpayment review systems to determine if utilization is reasonable and necessary. The determination of whether services are reasonable and necessary shall be made by the commissioner in consultation with a professional services advisory group or health care consultant appointed by the commissioner.

(2) Contracts entered into for purposes of meeting the requirements of this subdivision shall not be subject to the set-aside provisions of chapter 16C.

(3) A recipient aggrieved by the commissioner's termination of services or denial of future services may appeal pursuant to section 256.045. A vendor aggrieved by the commissioner's determination that services provided were not reasonable or necessary may appeal pursuant to the contested case procedures of chapter 14. To appeal, the vendor shall notify the commissioner in writing within 30 days of receiving the commissioner's notice. The appeal request shall specify each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, an estimate of the dollar amount involved for each disputed item, the computation that the vendor believes is correct, the authority in statute or rule upon which the vendor relies for each disputed item, the name and address of the person or firm with whom contacts may be made regarding the appeal, and other information required by the commissioner.

(4) The commissioner may select providers to provide case management services to recipients who use health care services inappropriately or to recipients who are eligible for other managed care projects. The providers shall be selected based upon criteria that may include a comparison with a peer group of providers related to the quality, quantity, or cost of health care services delivered or a review of sanctions previously imposed by health care services programs or the provider's professional licensing board.

Subd. 16. Personal care services. (a) Notwithstanding any contrary language in this paragraph, the commissioner of human services and the commissioner of health shall jointly promulgate rules to be applied to the licensure of personal care services provided under the medical assistance program. The rules shall consider standards for personal care services that are based on the World Institute on Disability's recommendations regarding personal care services. These rules shall at a minimum consider the standards and requirements adopted by the commissioner of health under section 144A.45, which the commissioner of human services determines are applicable to the provision of personal care services, in addition to other standards or modifications which the commissioner of human services determines are appropriate.

The commissioner of human services shall establish an advisory group including personal care consumers and providers to provide advice regarding which standards or modifications should be adopted. The advisory group membership must include not less than 15 members, of which at least 60 percent must be consumers of personal care services and representatives of recipients with various disabilities and diagnoses and ages. At least 51 percent of the members of the advisory group must be recipients of personal care.

The commissioner of human services may contract with the commissioner of health to enforce the jointly promulgated licensure rules for personal care service providers.

Prior to final promulgation of the joint rule the commissioner of human services shall report preliminary findings along with any comments of the advisory group and a plan for monitoring and enforcement by the department of health to the legislature by February 15, 1992.

Limits on the extent of personal care services that may be provided to an individual must be based on the cost-effectiveness of the services in relation to the costs of inpatient hospital care, nursing home care, and other available types of care. The rules must provide, at a minimum:

(1) that agencies be selected to contract with or employ and train staff to provide and supervise the provision of personal care services;

(2) that agencies employ or contract with a qualified applicant that a qualified recipient proposes to the agency as the recipient's choice of assistant;

(3) that agencies bill the medical assistance program for a personal care service by a personal care assistant and supervision by a qualified professional supervising the personal care assistant unless the recipient selects the fiscal agent option under section 256B.0627, subdivision 10;

(4) that agencies establish a grievance mechanism; and

(5) that agencies have a quality assurance program.

(b) The commissioner may waive the requirement for the provision of personal care services through an agency in a particular county, when there are less than two agencies providing services in that county and shall waive the requirement for personal care assistants required to join an agency for the first time during 1993 when personal care services are provided under a relative hardship waiver under section 256B.0627, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (7), and at least two agencies providing personal care services have refused to employ or contract with the independent personal care assistant.

Subd. 17. Prenatal care outreach. (a) The commissioner of human services shall award a grant to an eligible organization to conduct a statewide media campaign promoting early prenatal care. The goals of the campaign are to increase public awareness of the importance of early and continuous prenatal care and to inform the public about public and private funds available for prenatal care.

(b) In order to receive a grant under this section, an applicant must:

(1) have experience conducting prenatal care outreach;

(2) have an established statewide constituency or service area; and

(3) demonstrate an ability to accomplish the purposes in this subdivision.

(c) Money received under this subdivision may be used for purchase of materials and supplies, staff fees and salaries, consulting fees, and other goods and services necessary to accomplish the goals of the campaign. Money may not be used for capital expenditures.

Subd. 18. Applications for medical assistance. The state agency may take applications for medical assistance and conduct eligibility determinations for MinnesotaCare enrollees.

Subd. 19. Performance data reporting unit. The commissioner of human services shall establish a performance data reporting unit that serves counties and the state. The department shall support this unit and provide technical assistance and access to the data warehouse. The performance data reporting unit, which will operate within the department's central office and consist of both county and department staff, shall provide performance data reports to individual counties, share expertise from counties and the department perspective, and participate in joint planning to link with county databases and other county data sources in order to provide information on services provided to public clients from state, federal, and county funding sources. The performance data reporting unit shall provide counties both individual and group summary level standard or unique reports on health care eligibility and services provided to clients for whom they have financial responsibility.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 4; 1976 c 273 s 1-3; 1977 c 185 s 1; 1977 c 347 s 39,40; 1978 c 560 s 11; Ex1979 c 1 s 46; 1980 c 349 s 3,4; 1982 c 640 s 3; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 11,12; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 37; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 378 s 15; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 77,78; 1988 c 532 s 13; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 41,42; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 21,22; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 8; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 28; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 56; 1995 c 234 art 6 s 34; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 101; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 18; 1998 c 386 art 2 s 78,79; 1998 c 407 art 5 s 2; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 26,27; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 14

256B.041 Centralized disbursement of medical assistance payments.

Subdivision 1. Statewide disbursement system. The state agency shall establish on a statewide basis a system for the centralized disbursement of medical assistance payments to vendors.

Subd. 2. Account. An account is established in the state treasury from which medical assistance payments to vendors shall be made. Into this account there shall be deposited federal funds, state funds, county funds, and other moneys which are available and which may be paid to the state agency for medical assistance payments and reimbursements from counties or others for their share of such payments.

Subd. 3. Vendor forms. The state agency shall prescribe and furnish vendors suitable forms for submitting claims under the medical assistance program.

Subd. 4. Comply with federal requirements. The state agency in establishing a statewide system of centralized disbursement of medical assistance payments shall comply with federal requirements in order to receive the maximum amount of federal funds which are available for the purpose, together with such additional federal funds which may be made available for the operation of a centralized system of disbursement of medical assistance payments to vendors.

Subd. 5. Payment by county to state treasurer. If required by federal law or rules promulgated thereunder, or by authorized rule of the state agency, each county shall pay to the state treasurer the portion of medical assistance paid by the state for which it is responsible. The county's share of cost shall be ten percent of that portion not met by federal funds.

The county shall advance ten percent of that portion of medical assistance costs not met by federal funds, based upon estimates submitted by the state agency to the county agency, stating the estimated expenditures for the succeeding month. Upon the direction of the county agency, payment shall be made monthly by the county to the state for the estimated expenditures for each month. Adjustment of any overestimate or underestimate based on actual expenditures shall be made by the state agency by adjusting the estimate for any succeeding month.

Beginning July 1, 1991, the state will reimburse counties according to the payment schedule in section 256.025 for the county share of local agency expenditures under this subdivision from January 1, 1991, on. Payment to counties under this subdivision is subject to the provisions of section 256.017.

Subd. 6. Contracted services. The commissioners of human services and administration may contract with any agency of government or any corporation for providing all or a portion of the services for carrying out the provisions of this section. Local welfare agencies may pay vendors of transportation for nonemergency medical care when so authorized by rule of the commissioner of human services.

Subd. 7. Disbursement of federal funds. Federal funds available for administrative purposes shall be distributed between the state and the county on the same basis that reimbursements are earned, except as provided for under section 256.017.

HIST: 1973 c 717 s 2; 1975 c 437 art 2 s 4; 1978 c 560 s 12; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 13,14; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1988 c 719 art 8 s 11,12; 1989 c 277 art 2 s 7; 1Sp1989 c 1 art 16 s 6

256B.042 Third party liability.

Subdivision 1. Lien for cost of care. When the state agency provides, pays for, or becomes liable for medical care, it shall have a lien for the cost of the care upon any and all causes of action or recovery rights under any policy, plan, or contract providing benefits for health care or injury, which accrue to the person to whom the care was furnished, or to the person's legal representatives, as a result of the illness or injuries which necessitated the medical care. For purposes of this section, "state agency" includes prepaid health plans under contract with the commissioner according to sections 256B.69, 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), and 256L.12; children's mental health collaboratives under section 245.493; demonstration projects for persons with disabilities under section 256B.77; nursing facilities under the alternative payment demonstration project under section 256B.434; and county-based purchasing entities under section 256B.692.

Subd. 2. Lien enforcement. (a) The state agency may perfect and enforce its lien by following the procedures set forth in sections 514.69, 514.70 and 514.71, and its verified lien statement shall be filed with the appropriate court administrator in the county of financial responsibility. The verified lien statement shall contain the following: the name and address of the person to whom medical care was furnished, the date of injury, the name and address of the vendor or vendors furnishing medical care, the dates of the service, the amount claimed to be due for the care, and, to the best of the state agency's knowledge, the names and addresses of all persons, firms, or corporations claimed to be liable for damages arising from the injuries. This section shall not affect the priority of any attorney's lien.

(b) The state agency is not subject to any limitations period referred to in section 514.69 or 514.71 and has one year from the date notice is first received by it under subdivision 4, paragraph (c), even if the notice is untimely, or one year from the date medical bills are first paid by the state agency, whichever is later, to file its verified lien statement. The state agency may commence an action to enforce the lien within one year of (1) the date the notice required by subdivision 4, paragraph (c), is received or (2) the date the recipient's cause of action is concluded by judgment, award, settlement, or otherwise, whichever is later.

(c) If the notice required in subdivision 4 is not provided by any of the parties to the claim at any stage of the claim, the state agency will have one year from the date the state agency learns of the lack of notice to commence an action. If amounts on the claim or cause of action are paid and the amount required to be paid to the state agency under subdivision 5, is not paid to the state agency, the state agency may commence an action to recover on the lien against any or all of the parties or entities which have either paid or received the payments.

Subd. 3. Attorney general representation. The attorney general shall represent the commissioner to enforce the lien created under this section or, if no action has been brought, may initiate and prosecute an independent action on behalf of the commissioner against a person, firm, or corporation that may be liable to the person to whom the care was furnished.

Any prepaid health plan providing services under sections 256B.69, 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), and 256L.12; children's mental health collaboratives under section 245.493; demonstration projects for persons with disabilities under section 256B.77; nursing homes under the alternative payment demonstration project under section 256B.434; or the county-based purchasing entity providing services under section 256B.692 may retain legal representation to enforce their lien created under this section or, if no action has been brought, may initiate and prosecute an independent action on their behalf against a person, firm, or corporation that may be liable to the person to whom the care or payment was furnished.

Subd. 4. Notice. The state agency must be given notice of monetary claims against a person, firm, or corporation that may be liable to pay part or all of the cost of medical care when the state agency has paid or become liable for the cost of that care. Notice must be given as follows:

(a) Applicants for medical assistance shall notify the state or local agency of any possible claims when they submit the application. Recipients of medical assistance shall notify the state or local agency of any possible claims when those claims arise.

(b) A person providing medical care services to a recipient of medical assistance shall notify the state agency when the person has reason to believe that a third party may be liable for payment of the cost of medical care.

(c) A party to a claim upon which the state agency may be entitled to a lien under this section shall notify the state agency of its potential lien claim at each of the following stages of a claim:

(1) when a claim is filed;

(2) when an action is commenced; and

(3) when a claim is concluded by payment, award, judgment, settlement, or otherwise.

Every party involved in any stage of a claim under this subdivision is required to provide notice to the state agency at that stage of the claim. However, when one of the parties to the claim provides notice at that stage, every other party to the claim is deemed to have provided the required notice at that stage of the claim. If the required notice under this paragraph is not provided to the state agency, all parties to the claim are deemed to have failed to provide the required notice. A party to a claim includes the injured person or the person's legal representative, the plaintiff, the defendants, or persons alleged to be responsible for compensating the injured person or plaintiff, and any other party to the cause of action or claim, regardless of whether the party knows the state agency has a potential or actual lien claim.

Notice given to the local agency is not sufficient to meet the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c).

Subd. 5. Costs deducted. Upon any judgment, award, or settlement of a cause of action, or any part of it, upon which the state agency has filed its lien, including compensation for liquidated, unliquidated, or other damages, reasonable costs of collection, including attorney fees, must be deducted first. The full amount of medical assistance paid to or on behalf of the person as a result of the injury must be deducted next, and paid to the state agency. The rest must be paid to the medical assistance recipient or other plaintiff. The plaintiff, however, must receive at least one-third of the net recovery after attorney fees and other collection costs.

HIST: 1975 c 247 s 6; 1976 c 236 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82; 1987 c 370 art 2 s 5-8; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 143; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 29; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 26; 1997 c 217 art 2 s 5-7; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 28-30

256B.05 Administration by county agencies.

Subdivision 1. The county agencies shall administer medical assistance in their respective counties under the supervision of the state agency and the commissioner of human services as specified in section 256.01, and shall make such reports, prepare such statistics, and keep such records and accounts in relation to medical assistance as the state agency may require under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (17).

Subd. 2. In administering the medical assistance program, no local social services agency shall pay a fee or charge for medical, dental, surgical, hospital, nursing, licensed nursing home care, medicine, or medical supplies in excess of the schedules of maximum fees and charges as established by the state agency.

Subd. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 2, the commissioner of human services shall establish a schedule of maximum allowances to be paid by the state on behalf of recipients of medical assistance toward fees charged for services rendered such medical assistance recipients.

Subd. 4. Repealed, 1987 c 403 art 2 s 164

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 5; 1971 c 961 s 28; 1982 c 640 s 4; 1984 c 580 s 3; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1988 c 719 art 8 s 13; 1989 c 89 s 10; 1994 c 631 s 31

256B.055 Eligibility categories.

Subdivision 1. Children eligible for subsidized adoption assistance. Medical assistance may be paid for a child eligible for or receiving adoption assistance payments under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 670 to 676, and to any child who is not title IV-E eligible but who was determined eligible for adoption assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 259.67, subdivision 4, clauses (a) to (c), and has a special need for medical or rehabilitative care.

Subd. 2. Subsidized foster children. Medical assistance may be paid for a child eligible for or receiving foster care maintenance payments under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 670 to 676.

Subd. 3. AFDC families. Until March 31, 1998, medical assistance may be paid for a person who is eligible for or receiving, or who would be eligible for, except for excess income or assets, public assistance under the aid to families with dependent children program in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193.

Subd. 3a. Families with children. Beginning July 1, 2002, medical assistance may be paid for a person who is a child under the age of 18, or age 18 if a full-time student in a secondary school, or in the equivalent level of vocational or technical training, and reasonably expected to complete the program before reaching age 19; the parent of a dependent child, including a pregnant woman; or a caretaker relative of a dependent child.

Subd. 4. Recipients of Minnesota supplemental aid. Medical assistance may be paid for a person who is receiving public assistance under the Minnesota supplemental aid program.

Subd. 5. Pregnant women; dependent unborn child. Medical assistance may be paid for a pregnant woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy test from a physician or licensed registered nurse, who meets the other eligibility criteria of this section and who would be categorically eligible for assistance under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, if the child had been born and was living with the woman. For purposes of this subdivision, a woman is considered pregnant for 60 days postpartum.

Subd. 6. Pregnant women; needy unborn child. Medical assistance may be paid for a pregnant woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy test from a physician or licensed registered nurse, who meets the other eligibility criteria of this section and whose unborn child would be eligible as a needy child under subdivision 10 if born and living with the woman. For purposes of this subdivision, a woman is considered pregnant for 60 days postpartum.

Subd. 7. Aged, blind, or disabled persons. Medical assistance may be paid for a person who meets the categorical eligibility requirements of the supplemental security income program or, who would meet those requirements except for excess income or assets, and who meets the other eligibility requirements of this section.

Subd. 7a. Special category for disabled children. Medical assistance may be paid for a person who is under age 18 and who meets income and asset eligibility requirements of the Supplemental Security Income program if the person was receiving Supplemental Security Income payments on the date of enactment of section 211(a) of Public Law Number 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, and the person would have continued to receive the payments except for the change in the childhood disability criteria in section 211(a) of Public Law Number 104-193.

Subd. 8. Repealed, 1990 c 568 art 3 s 104

Subd. 9. Children. Medical assistance may be paid for a person who is under 21 years of age and in need of medical care that neither the person nor the person's relatives responsible under sections 256B.01 to 256B.26 are financially able to provide.

Subd. 10. Infants. Medical assistance may be paid for an infant less than one year of age, whose mother was eligible for and receiving medical assistance at the time of birth and who remains in the mother's household or who is in a family with countable income that is equal to or less than the income standard established under section 256B.057, subdivision 1.

Subd. 10a. Children. This subdivision supersedes subdivision 10, as long as the Minnesota health care reform waiver remains in effect. When the waiver expires, this subdivision expires and the commissioner of human services shall publish a notice in the State Register and notify the revisor of statutes. Medical assistance may be paid for a child less than two years of age, whose mother was eligible for and receiving medical assistance at the time of birth and who remains in the mother's household or who is in a family with countable income that is equal to or less than the income standard established under section 256B.057, subdivision 1.

Subd. 11. Elderly hospital inpatients. Medical assistance may be paid for a person who is residing in a hospital for treatment of mental disease or tuberculosis and is 65 years of age or older and without means sufficient to pay the per capita hospital charge.

Subd. 12. Disabled children. (a) A person is eligible for medical assistance if the person is under age 19 and qualifies as a disabled individual under United States Code, title 42, section 1382c(a), and would be eligible for medical assistance under the state plan if residing in a medical institution, and the child requires a level of care provided in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, for whom home care is appropriate, provided that the cost to medical assistance under this section is not more than the amount that medical assistance would pay for if the child resides in an institution. After the child is determined to be eligible under this section, the commissioner shall review the child's disability under United States Code, title 42, section 1382c(a) and level of care defined under this section no more often than annually and may elect, based on the recommendation of health care professionals under contract with the state medical review team, to extend the review of disability and level of care up to a maximum of four years. The commissioner's decision on the frequency of continuing review of disability and level of care is not subject to administrative appeal under section 256.045. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as affecting other redeterminations of medical assistance eligibility under this chapter and annual cost-effective reviews under this section.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "hospital" means an institution as defined in section 144.696, subdivision 3, 144.55, subdivision 3, or Minnesota Rules, part 4640.3600, and licensed pursuant to sections 144.50 to 144.58. For purposes of this subdivision, a child requires a level of care provided in a hospital if the child is determined by the commissioner to need an extensive array of health services, including mental health services, for an undetermined period of time, whose health condition requires frequent monitoring and treatment by a health care professional or by a person supervised by a health care professional, who would reside in a hospital or require frequent hospitalization if these services were not provided, and the daily care needs are more complex than a nursing facility level of care.

A child with serious emotional disturbance requires a level of care provided in a hospital if the commissioner determines that the individual requires 24-hour supervision because the person exhibits recurrent or frequent suicidal or homicidal ideation or behavior, recurrent or frequent psychosomatic disorders or somatopsychic disorders that may become life threatening, recurrent or frequent severe socially unacceptable behavior associated with psychiatric disorder, ongoing and chronic psychosis or severe, ongoing and chronic developmental problems requiring continuous skilled observation, or severe disabling symptoms for which office-centered outpatient treatment is not adequate, and which overall severely impact the individual's ability to function.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "nursing facility" means a facility which provides nursing care as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5, licensed pursuant to sections 144A.02 to 144A.10, which is appropriate if a person is in active restorative treatment; is in need of special treatments provided or supervised by a licensed nurse; or has unpredictable episodes of active disease processes requiring immediate judgment by a licensed nurse. For purposes of this subdivision, a child requires the level of care provided in a nursing facility if the child is determined by the commissioner to meet the requirements of the preadmission screening assessment document under section 256B.0911 and the home care independent rating document under section 256B.0627, subdivision 5, paragraph (f), item (iii), adjusted to address age-appropriate standards for children age 18 and under, pursuant to section 256B.0627, subdivision 5, paragraph (d), clause (2).

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions" or "ICF/MR" means a program licensed to provide services to persons with mental retardation under section 252.28, and chapter 245A, and a physical plant licensed as a supervised living facility under chapter 144, which together are certified by the Minnesota department of health as meeting the standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 483, for an intermediate care facility which provides services for persons with mental retardation or persons with related conditions who require 24-hour supervision and active treatment for medical, behavioral, or habilitation needs. For purposes of this subdivision, a child requires a level of care provided in an ICF/MR if the commissioner finds that the child has mental retardation or a related condition in accordance with section 256B.092, is in need of a 24-hour plan of care and active treatment similar to persons with mental retardation, and there is a reasonable indication that the child will need ICF/MR services.

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, a person requires the level of care provided in a nursing facility if the person requires 24-hour monitoring or supervision and a plan of mental health treatment because of specific symptoms or functional impairments associated with a serious mental illness or disorder diagnosis, which meet severity criteria for mental health established by the commissioner and published in March 1997 as the Minnesota Mental Health Level of Care for Children and Adolescents with Severe Emotional Disorders.

(f) The determination of the level of care needed by the child shall be made by the commissioner based on information supplied to the commissioner by the parent or guardian, the child's physician or physicians, and other professionals as requested by the commissioner. The commissioner shall establish a screening team to conduct the level of care determinations according to this subdivision.

(g) If a child meets the conditions in paragraph (b), (c), (d), or (e), the commissioner must assess the case to determine whether:

(1) the child qualifies as a disabled individual under United States Code, title 42, section 1382c(a), and would be eligible for medical assistance if residing in a medical institution; and

(2) the cost of medical assistance services for the child, if eligible under this subdivision, would not be more than the cost to medical assistance if the child resides in a medical institution to be determined as follows:

(i) for a child who requires a level of care provided in an ICF/MR, the cost of care for the child in an institution shall be determined using the average payment rate established for the regional treatment centers that are certified as ICFs/MR;

(ii) for a child who requires a level of care provided in an inpatient hospital setting according to paragraph (b), cost-effectiveness shall be determined according to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.3520, items F and G; and

(iii) for a child who requires a level of care provided in a nursing facility according to paragraph (c) or (e), cost-effectiveness shall be determined according to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.3040, except that the nursing facility average rate shall be adjusted to reflect rates which would be paid for children under age 16. The commissioner may authorize an amount up to the amount medical assistance would pay for a child referred to the commissioner by the preadmission screening team under section 256B.0911.

(h) Children eligible for medical assistance services under section 256B.055, subdivision 12, as of June 30, 1995, must be screened according to the criteria in this subdivision prior to January 1, 1996. Children found to be ineligible may not be removed from the program until January 1, 1996.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 6; 1969 c 841 s 1; 1973 c 717 s 18; 1974 c 525 s 1,2; 1975 c 247 s 10; 1976 c 236 s 3; 1977 c 448 s 6; 1978 c 760 s 1; 1979 c 309 s 4; 1980 c 509 s 106; 1980 c 527 s 1; 1981 c 360 art 2 s 28; 1Sp1981 c 2 s 14; 3Sp1981 c 2 art 1 s 32; 3Sp1981 c 3 s 17; 1982 c 553 s 6; 1982 c 640 s 5; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 15; 1984 c 422 s 1; 1984 c 534 s 22; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1985 c 252 s 21; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 1 art 8 s 5; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 79,80; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 144,145,268; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 43,44; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 23-27; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 33,34; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 30; 1994 c 631 s 31; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 27; 1995 c 234 art 6 s 35; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 7; 1997 c 85 art 3 s 10-12; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 19; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 13,14; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 31; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 15

* NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 3a by Laws 2001, First *Special Session chapter 9, article 2, section 15, is effective *July 1, 2002. Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, *article 2, section 15, the effective date.

256B.056 Eligibility; residency; resources; income.

Subdivision 1. Residency. To be eligible for medical assistance, a person must reside in Minnesota, or, if absent from the state, be deemed to be a resident of Minnesota in accordance with the rules of the state agency.

Subd. 1a. Income and assets generally. Unless specifically required by state law or rule or federal law or regulation, the methodologies used in counting income and assets to determine eligibility for medical assistance for persons whose eligibility category is based on blindness, disability, or age of 65 or more years, the methodologies for the supplemental security income program shall be used. Increases in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act shall not be counted as income for purposes of this subdivision until July 1 of each year. Effective upon federal approval, for children eligible under section 256B.055, subdivision 12, or for home and community-based waiver services whose eligibility for medical assistance is determined without regard to parental income, child support payments, including any payments made by an obligor in satisfaction of or in addition to a temporary or permanent order for child support, and social security payments are not counted as income. For families and children, which includes all other eligibility categories, the methodologies under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, shall be used, except that effective July 1, 2002, the $90 and $30 and one-third earned income disregards shall not apply and the disregard specified in subdivision 1c shall apply. For these purposes, a "methodology" does not include an asset or income standard, or accounting method, or method of determining effective dates.

Subd. 1b. Aged, blind, and disabled income methodology. The $20 general income disregard allowed under the supplemental security income program is included in the standard and shall not be allowed as a deduction from income for a person eligible under section 256B.055, subdivisions 7, 7a, and 12.

Subd. 1c. Families with children income methodology. (a) For children ages one to five whose eligibility is determined under section 256B.057, subdivision 2, 21 percent of countable earned income shall be disregarded for up to four months.

(b) For families with children whose eligibility is determined using the standard specified in section 256B.056, subdivision 4, paragraph (c), 17 percent of countable earned income shall be disregarded for up to four months.

(c) If the disregard has been applied to the wage earner's income for four months, the disregard shall not be applied again until the wage earner's income has not been considered in determining medical assistance eligibility for 12 consecutive months.

Subd. 2. Homestead; exclusion for institutionalized persons. The homestead shall be excluded for the first six calendar months of a person's stay in a long-term care facility and shall continue to be excluded for as long as the recipient can be reasonably expected to return to the homestead. For purposes of this subdivision, "reasonably expected to return to the homestead" means the recipient's attending physician has certified that the expectation is reasonable, and the recipient can show that the cost of care upon returning home will be met through medical assistance or other sources. The homestead shall continue to be excluded for persons residing in a long-term care facility if it is used as a primary residence by one of the following individuals:

(a) the spouse;

(b) a child under age 21;

(c) a child of any age who is blind or permanently and totally disabled as defined in the supplemental security income program;

(d) a sibling who has equity interest in the home and who resided in the home for at least one year immediately before the date of the person's admission to the facility; or

(e) a child of any age, or, subject to federal approval, a grandchild of any age, who resided in the home for at least two years immediately before the date of the person's admission to the facility, and who provided care to the person that permitted the person to reside at home rather than in an institution.

Subd. 3. Asset limitations for elderly and disabled individuals. To be eligible for medical assistance, a person must not individually own more than $3,000 in assets, or if a member of a household with two family members, husband and wife, or parent and child, the household must not own more than $6,000 in assets, plus $200 for each additional legal dependent. In addition to these maximum amounts, an eligible individual or family may accrue interest on these amounts, but they must be reduced to the maximum at the time of an eligibility redetermination. The accumulation of the clothing and personal needs allowance according to section 256B.35 must also be reduced to the maximum at the time of the eligibility redetermination. The value of assets that are not considered in determining eligibility for medical assistance is the value of those assets excluded under the supplemental security income program for aged, blind, and disabled persons, with the following exceptions:

(a) Household goods and personal effects are not considered.

(b) Capital and operating assets of a trade or business that the local agency determines are necessary to the person's ability to earn an income are not considered.

(c) Motor vehicles are excluded to the same extent excluded by the supplemental security income program.

(d) Assets designated as burial expenses are excluded to the same extent excluded by the supplemental security income program.

(e) Effective upon federal approval, for a person who no longer qualifies as an employed person with a disability due to loss of earnings, assets allowed while eligible for medical assistance under section 256B.057, subdivision 9, are not considered for 12 months, beginning with the first month of ineligibility as an employed person with a disability, to the extent that the person's total assets remain within the allowed limits of section 256B.057, subdivision 9, paragraph (b).

Subd. 3a. Repealed, 1992 c 513 art 7 s 135

Subd. 3b. Treatment of trusts. (a) A "medical assistance qualifying trust" is a revocable or irrevocable trust, or similar legal device, established on or before August 10, 1993, by a person or the person's spouse under the terms of which the person receives or could receive payments from the trust principal or income and the trustee has discretion in making payments to the person from the trust principal or income. Notwithstanding that definition, a medical assistance qualifying trust does not include: (1) a trust set up by will; (2) a trust set up before April 7, 1986, solely to benefit a person with mental retardation living in an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation; or (3) a trust set up by a person with payments made by the Social Security Administration pursuant to the United States Supreme Court decision in Sullivan v. Zebley, 110 S. Ct. 885 (1990). The maximum amount of payments that a trustee of a medical assistance qualifying trust may make to a person under the terms of the trust is considered to be available assets to the person, without regard to whether the trustee actually makes the maximum payments to the person and without regard to the purpose for which the medical assistance qualifying trust was established.

(b) Trusts established after August 10, 1993, are treated according to section 13611(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA), Public Law Number 103-66.

Subd. 3c. Asset limitations for families and children. A household of two or more persons must not own more than $30,000 in total net assets, and a household of one person must not own more than $15,000 in total net assets. In addition to these maximum amounts, an eligible individual or family may accrue interest on these amounts, but they must be reduced to the maximum at the time of an eligibility redetermination. The value of assets that are not considered in determining eligibility for medical assistance for families and children is the value of those assets excluded under the AFDC state plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, with the following exceptions:

(1) household goods and personal effects are not considered;

(2) capital and operating assets of a trade or business up to $200,000 are not considered;

(3) one motor vehicle is excluded for each person of legal driving age who is employed or seeking employment;

(4) one burial plot and all other burial expenses equal to the supplemental security income program asset limit are not considered for each individual;

(5) court-ordered settlements up to $10,000 are not considered;

(6) individual retirement accounts and funds are not considered; and

(7) assets owned by children are not considered.

Subd. 4. Income. (a) To be eligible for medical assistance, a person eligible under section 256B.055, subdivisions 7, 7a, and 12, may have income up to 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Effective January 1, 2000, and each successive January, recipients of supplemental security income may have an income up to the supplemental security income standard in effect on that date.

(b) To be eligible for medical assistance, families and children may have an income up to 133-1/3 percent of the AFDC income standard in effect under the July 16, 1996, AFDC state plan. Effective July 1, 2000, the base AFDC standard in effect on July 16, 1996, shall be increased by three percent.

(c) Effective July 1, 2002, to be eligible for medical assistance, families and children may have an income up to 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the family size.

(d) In computing income to determine eligibility of persons under paragraphs (a) to (c) who are not residents of long-term care facilities, the commissioner shall disregard increases in income as required by Public Law Numbers 94-566, section 503; 99-272; and 99-509. Veterans aid and attendance benefits and Veterans Administration unusual medical expense payments are considered income to the recipient.

Subd. 4a. Asset verification. For purposes of verification, the value of a life estate shall be considered not salable unless the owner of the remainder interest intends to purchase the life estate, or the owner of the life estate and the owner of the remainder sell the entire property.

Subd. 4b. Income verification. The local agency shall not require a monthly income verification form for a recipient who is a resident of a long-term care facility and who has monthly earned income of $80 or less. The commissioner or county agency shall use electronic verification as the primary method of income verification. If there is a discrepancy between reported income and electronically verified income, an individual may be required to submit additional verification.

Subd. 5. Excess income. A person who has excess income is eligible for medical assistance if the person has expenses for medical care that are more than the amount of the person's excess income, computed by deducting incurred medical expenses from the excess income to reduce the excess to the income standard specified in subdivision 5c. The person shall elect to have the medical expenses deducted at the beginning of a one-month budget period or at the beginning of a six-month budget period. The commissioner shall allow persons eligible for assistance on a one-month spenddown basis under this subdivision to elect to pay the monthly spenddown amount in advance of the month of eligibility to the state agency in order to maintain eligibility on a continuous basis. If the recipient does not pay the spenddown amount on or before the 20th of the month, the recipient is ineligible for this option for the following month. The local agency shall code the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) to indicate that the recipient has elected this option. The state agency shall convey recipient eligibility information relative to the collection of the spenddown to providers through the Electronic Verification System (EVS). A recipient electing advance payment must pay the state agency the monthly spenddown amount on or before the 20th of the month in order to be eligible for this option in the following month.

Subd. 5a. Individuals on fixed or excluded income. Recipients of medical assistance who receive only fixed unearned or excluded income, when that income is excluded from consideration as income or unvarying in amount and timing of receipt throughout the year, shall report and verify their income annually.

Subd. 5b. Individuals with low income. Recipients of medical assistance not residing in a long-term care facility who have slightly fluctuating income which is below the medical assistance income limit shall report and verify their income on a semiannual basis.

Subd. 5c. Excess income standard. (a) The excess income standard for families with children is the standard specified in subdivision 4.

(b) The excess income standard for a person whose eligibility is based on blindness, disability, or age of 65 or more years is 70 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the family size. Effective July 1, 2002, the excess income standard for this paragraph shall equal 75 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

Subd. 6. Assignment of benefits. To be eligible for medical assistance a person must have applied or must agree to apply all proceeds received or receivable by the person or the person's spouse from any third person liable for the costs of medical care for the person, the spouse, and children. The state agency shall require from any applicant or recipient of medical assistance the assignment of any rights to medical support and third party payments. Persons must cooperate with the state in establishing paternity and obtaining third party payments. By signing an application for medical assistance, a person assigns to the department of human services all rights the person may have to medical support or payments for medical expenses from any other person or entity on their own or their dependent's behalf and agrees to cooperate with the state in establishing paternity and obtaining third party payments. Any rights or amounts so assigned shall be applied against the cost of medical care paid for under this chapter. Any assignment takes effect upon the determination that the applicant is eligible for medical assistance and up to three months prior to the date of application if the applicant is determined eligible for and receives medical assistance benefits. The application must contain a statement explaining this assignment. Any assignment shall not be effective as to benefits paid or provided under automobile accident coverage and private health care coverage prior to notification of the assignment by the person or organization providing the benefits.

Subd. 7. Period of eligibility. Eligibility is available for the month of application and for three months prior to application if the person was eligible in those prior months. A redetermination of eligibility must occur every 12 months.

Subd. 8. Cooperation. To be eligible for medical assistance, applicants and recipients must cooperate with the state and local agency to identify potentially liable third-party payers and assist the state in obtaining third party payments, unless good cause for noncooperation is determined according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 433.147. "Cooperation" includes identifying any third party who may be liable for care and services provided under this chapter to the applicant, recipient, or any other family member for whom application is made and providing relevant information to assist the state in pursuing a potentially liable third party. Cooperation also includes providing information about a group health plan for which the person may be eligible and if the plan is determined cost-effective by the state agency and premiums are paid by the local agency or there is no cost to the recipient, they must enroll or remain enrolled with the group. For purposes of this subdivision, coverage provided by the Minnesota comprehensive health association under chapter 62E shall not be considered group health plan coverage or cost-effective by the state and local agency. Cost-effective insurance premiums approved for payment by the state agency and paid by the local agency are eligible for reimbursement according to section 256B.19.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 6; 1969 c 841 s 1; 1973 c 717 s 18; 1974 c 525 s 1,2; 1975 c 247 s 10; 1976 c 236 s 3; 1977 c 448 s 6; 1978 c 760 s 1; 1979 c 309 s 4; 1980 c 509 s 106; 1980 c 527 s 1; 1981 c 360 art 2 s 28; 1Sp1981 c 2 s 14; 3Sp1981 c 2 art 1 s 32; 3Sp1981 c 3 s 17; 1982 c 553 s 6; 1982 c 640 s 5; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 15; 1984 c 422 s 1; 1984 c 534 s 22; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1985 c 252 s 21; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 1 art 8 s 5; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 79,80; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 144,145,268; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 45-47; 1989 c 332 s 1; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 28-32; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 34-38; 1993 c 339 s 13; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 31; art 6 s 25; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 28,29; 1995 c 248 art 17 s 1-4; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 8,9; 1997 c 85 art 3 s 13-15; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 20,21; 1997 c 225 art 6 s 4; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 15,16; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 32; art 10 s 10; 2001 c 203 s 5,6; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 16-24

* NOTE: Subdivisions 1c and 3c, as added by Laws 2001, First *Special Session chapter 9, article 2, sections 18 and 20, are *effective July 1, 2002. Laws 2001, First Special Session *chapter 9, article 2, sections 18 and 20, the effective dates.

256B.057 Eligibility; income and asset limitations for special categories.

Subdivision 1. Pregnant women and infants. (a) An infant less than one year of age or a pregnant woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy test from a physician or licensed registered nurse, is eligible for medical assistance if countable family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline for the same family size. For purposes of this subdivision, "countable family income" means the amount of income considered available using the methodology of the AFDC program under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, except for the earned income disregard and employment deductions. An amount equal to the amount of earned income exceeding 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline, up to a maximum of the amount by which the combined total of 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline plus the earned income disregards and deductions of the AFDC program under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, exceeds 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline will be deducted for pregnant women and infants less than one year of age.

(b) An infant born on or after January 1, 1991, to a woman who was eligible for and receiving medical assistance on the date of the child's birth shall continue to be eligible for medical assistance without redetermination until the child's first birthday, as long as the child remains in the woman's household.

Subd. 1a. Repealed, 1998 c 407 art 5 s 48

Subd. 1b. Pregnant women and infants; expansion. (a) This subdivision supersedes subdivision 1 as long as the Minnesota health care reform waiver remains in effect. When the waiver expires, the commissioner of human services shall publish a notice in the State Register and notify the revisor of statutes. An infant less than two years of age or a pregnant woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy test from a physician or licensed registered nurse, is eligible for medical assistance if countable family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline for the same family size. For purposes of this subdivision, "countable family income" means the amount of income considered available using the methodology of the AFDC program under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, except for the earned income disregard and employment deductions. An amount equal to the amount of earned income exceeding 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline, up to a maximum of the amount by which the combined total of 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline plus the earned income disregards and deductions of the AFDC program under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law Number 104-193, exceeds 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline will be deducted for pregnant women and infants less than two years of age.

(b) An infant born on or after January 1, 1991, to a woman who was eligible for and receiving medical assistance on the date of the child's birth shall continue to be eligible for medical assistance without redetermination until the child's second birthday, as long as the child remains in the woman's household.

Subd. 1c. No asset test for pregnant women. Beginning September 30, 1998, eligibility for medical assistance for a pregnant woman must be determined without regard to asset standards established in section 256B.056, subdivision 3.

Subd. 2. Children. Except as specified in subdivision 1b, effective July 1, 2002, a child one through 18 years of age in a family whose countable income is no greater than 170 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the same family size, is eligible for medical assistance.

Subd. 2a. Repealed, 1997 c 203 art 4 s 73

Subd. 2b. Repealed, 1997 c 203 art 4 s 73

Subd. 3. Qualified Medicare beneficiaries. A person who is entitled to Part A Medicare benefits, whose income is equal to or less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and whose assets are no more than $10,000 for a single individual and $18,000 for a married couple or family of two or more, is eligible for medical assistance reimbursement of Part A and Part B premiums, Part A and Part B coinsurance and deductibles, and cost-effective premiums for enrollment with a health maintenance organization or a competitive medical plan under section 1876 of the Social Security Act. Reimbursement of the Medicare coinsurance and deductibles, when added to the amount paid by Medicare, must not exceed the total rate the provider would have received for the same service or services if the person were a medical assistance recipient with Medicare coverage. Increases in benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act shall not be counted as income for purposes of this subdivision until July 1 of each year.

Subd. 3a. Eligibility for payment of Medicare Part B premiums. A person who would otherwise be eligible as a qualified Medicare beneficiary under subdivision 3, except the person's income is in excess of the limit, is eligible for medical assistance reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums if the person's income is less than 120 percent of the official federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size.

Subd. 3b. Qualifying individuals. Beginning July 1, 1998, to the extent of the federal allocation to Minnesota, a person who would otherwise be eligible as a qualified Medicare beneficiary under subdivision 3, except that the person's income is in excess of the limit, is eligible as a qualifying individual according to the following criteria:

(1) if the person's income is greater than 120 percent, but less than 135 percent of the official federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size, the person is eligible for medical assistance reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums; or

(2) if the person's income is equal to or greater than 135 percent but less than 175 percent of the official federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size, the person is eligible for medical assistance reimbursement of that portion of the Medicare Part B premium attributable to an increase in Part B expenditures which resulted from the shift of home care services from Medicare Part A to Medicare Part B under Public Law Number 105-33, section 4732, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

The commissioner shall limit enrollment of qualifying individuals under this subdivision according to the requirements of Public Law Number 105-33, section 4732.

Subd. 4. Qualified working disabled adults. A person who is entitled to Medicare Part A benefits under section 1818A of the Social Security Act; whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size; whose nonexempt assets do not exceed twice the maximum amount allowable under the supplemental security income program, according to family size; and who is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance, is eligible for medical assistance reimbursement of the Medicare Part A premium.

Subd. 5. Disabled adult children. A person who is at least 18 years old, who was eligible for supplemental security income benefits on the basis of blindness or disability, who became disabled or blind before reaching the age of 22, and who lost eligibility as a result of becoming entitled to a child's insurance benefits on or after July 1, 1987, under section 202(d) of the Social Security Act, or because of an increase in those benefits effective on or after July 1, 1987, is eligible for medical assistance as long as the person would be entitled to supplemental security income in the absence of child's insurance benefits or increases in those benefits.

Subd. 6. Disabled widows and widowers. A person who is at least 50 years old who is entitled to disabled widow's or widower's benefits under United States Code, title 42, section 402(e) or (f), who is not entitled to Medicare Part A, and who received supplemental security income or Minnesota supplemental aid in the month before the month the widow's or widower's benefits began, is eligible for medical assistance as long as the person would be entitled to supplemental security income or Minnesota supplemental aid in the absence of the widow's or widower's benefits.

Subd. 7. Waiver of maintenance of effort requirement. Unless a federal waiver of the maintenance of effort requirement of section 2105(d) of title XXI of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law Number 105-33, Statutes at Large, volume 111, page 251, is granted by the federal Department of Health and Human Services by September 30, 1998, eligibility for children under age 21 must be determined without regard to asset standards established in section 256B.056, subdivision 3c. The commissioner of human services shall publish a notice in the State Register upon receipt of a federal waiver.

Subd. 8. Children under age two. Medical assistance may be paid for a child under two years of age whose countable family income is above 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the same size family but less than or equal to 280 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the same size family.

Subd. 9. Employed persons with disabilities. (a) Medical assistance may be paid for a person who is employed and who:

(1) meets the definition of disabled under the supplemental security income program;

(2) is at least 16 but less than 65 years of age;

(3) meets the asset limits in paragraph (b); and

(4) pays a premium, if required, under paragraph (c).

Any spousal income or assets shall be disregarded for purposes of eligibility and premium determinations.

After the month of enrollment, a person enrolled in medical assistance under this subdivision who is temporarily unable to work and without receipt of earned income due to a medical condition, as verified by a physician, may retain eligibility for up to four calendar months.

(b) For purposes of determining eligibility under this subdivision, a person's assets must not exceed $20,000, excluding:

(1) all assets excluded under section 256B.056;

(2) retirement accounts, including individual accounts, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, Keogh plans, and pension plans; and

(3) medical expense accounts set up through the person's employer.

(c) A person whose earned and unearned income is equal to or greater than 100 percent of federal poverty guidelines for the applicable family size must pay a premium to be eligible for medical assistance under this subdivision. The premium shall be based on the person's gross earned and unearned income and the applicable family size using a sliding fee scale established by the commissioner, which begins at one percent of income at 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and increases to 7.5 percent of income for those with incomes at or above 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Annual adjustments in the premium schedule based upon changes in the federal poverty guidelines shall be effective for premiums due in July of each year.

(d) A person's eligibility and premium shall be determined by the local county agency. Premiums must be paid to the commissioner. All premiums are dedicated to the commissioner.

(e) Any required premium shall be determined at application and redetermined annually at recertification or when a change in income or family size occurs.

(f) Premium payment is due upon notification from the commissioner of the premium amount required. Premiums may be paid in installments at the discretion of the commissioner.

(g) Nonpayment of the premium shall result in denial or termination of medical assistance unless the person demonstrates good cause for nonpayment. Good cause exists if the requirements specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9506.0040, subpart 7, items B to D, are met. Nonpayment shall include payment with a returned, refused, or dishonored instrument. The commissioner may require a guaranteed form of payment as the only means to replace a returned, refused, or dishonored instrument.

Subd. 10. Certain persons needing treatment for breast or cervical cancer. (a) Medical assistance may be paid for a person who:

(1) has been screened for breast or cervical cancer by the Minnesota breast and cervical cancer control program, and program funds have been used to pay for the person's screening;

(2) according to the person's treating health professional, needs treatment, including diagnostic services necessary to determine the extent and proper course of treatment, for breast or cervical cancer, including precancerous conditions and early stage cancer;

(3) meets the income eligibility guidelines for the Minnesota breast and cervical cancer control program;

(4) is under age 65;

(5) is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under United States Code, title 42, section 1396(a)(10)(A)(i); and

(6) is not otherwise covered under creditable coverage, as defined under United States Code, title 42, section 300gg(c).

(b) Medical assistance provided for an eligible person under this subdivision shall be limited to services provided during the period that the person receives treatment for breast or cervical cancer.

(c) A person meeting the criteria in paragraph (a) is eligible for medical assistance without meeting the eligibility criteria relating to income and assets in section 256B.056, subdivisions 1a to 5b.

HIST: 1986 c 444; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 48; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 33-36; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 35-39; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 39; 1992 c 549 art 4 s 12; 1993 c 345 art 9 s 11-13; 1Sp1993 c 6 s 9; 1995 c 234 art 6 s 36,37; 1997 c 85 art 3 s 16-18; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 22-24; 1998 c 407 art 5 s 3-5; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 17,18; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 33,34; 2000 c 260 s 97; 2000 c 340 s 3; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 15; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 25-29

* NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 2 by Laws 2001, First *Special Session chapter 9, article 2, section 25, is effective *July 1, 2002. Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, *article 2, section 25, the effective date.

* NOTE: Subdivision 10, as added by Laws 2001, First Special *Session chapter 9, article 2, section 29, is effective July 1, *2002. Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, article 2, *section 29, the effective date.

256B.0575 Availability of income for institutionalized persons.

When an institutionalized person is determined eligible for medical assistance, the income that exceeds the deductions in paragraphs (a) and (b) must be applied to the cost of institutional care.

(a) The following amounts must be deducted from the institutionalized person's income in the following order:

(1) the personal needs allowance under section 256B.35 or, for a veteran who does not have a spouse or child, or a surviving spouse of a veteran having no child, the amount of an improved pension received from the veteran's administration not exceeding $90 per month;

(2) the personal allowance for disabled individuals under section 256B.36;

(3) if the institutionalized person has a legally appointed guardian or conservator, five percent of the recipient's gross monthly income up to $100 as reimbursement for guardianship or conservatorship services;

(4) a monthly income allowance determined under section 256B.058, subdivision 2, but only to the extent income of the institutionalized spouse is made available to the community spouse;

(5) a monthly allowance for children under age 18 which, together with the net income of the children, would provide income equal to the medical assistance standard for families and children according to section 256B.056, subdivision 4, for a family size that includes only the minor children. This deduction applies only if the children do not live with the community spouse and only to the extent that the deduction is not included in the personal needs allowance under section 256B.35, subdivision 1, as child support garnished under a court order;

(6) a monthly family allowance for other family members, equal to one-third of the difference between 122 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and the monthly income for that family member;

(7) reparations payments made by the Federal Republic of Germany and reparations payments made by the Netherlands for victims of Nazi persecution between 1940 and 1945;

(8) all other exclusions from income for institutionalized persons as mandated by federal law; and

(9) amounts for reasonable expenses incurred for necessary medical or remedial care for the institutionalized spouse that are not medical assistance covered expenses and that are not subject to payment by a third party.

For purposes of clause (6), "other family member" means a person who resides with the community spouse and who is a minor or dependent child, dependent parent, or dependent sibling of either spouse. "Dependent" means a person who could be claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code.

(b) Income shall be allocated to an institutionalized person for a period of up to three calendar months, in an amount equal to the medical assistance standard for a family size of one if:

(1) a physician certifies that the person is expected to reside in the long-term care facility for three calendar months or less;

(2) if the person has expenses of maintaining a residence in the community; and

(3) if one of the following circumstances apply:

(i) the person was not living together with a spouse or a family member as defined in paragraph (a) when the person entered a long-term care facility; or

(ii) the person and the person's spouse become institutionalized on the same date, in which case the allocation shall be applied to the income of one of the spouses.

For purposes of this paragraph, a person is determined to be residing in a licensed nursing home, regional treatment center, or medical institution if the person is expected to remain for a period of one full calendar month or more.

HIST: 1986 c 444; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 49; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 37; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 40; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 32; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 30,125; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 10; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 35

256B.058 Treatment of income of institutionalized spouse.

Subdivision 1. Income not available. The income described in subdivisions 2 and 3 shall be deducted from an institutionalized spouse's monthly income and is not considered available for payment of the monthly costs of an institutionalized person in the institution after the person has been determined eligible for medical assistance.

Subd. 2. Monthly income allowance for community spouse. (a) For an institutionalized spouse with a spouse residing in the community, monthly income may be allocated to the community spouse as a monthly income allowance for the community spouse. Beginning with the first full calendar month the institutionalized spouse is in the institution, the monthly income allowance is not considered available to the institutionalized spouse for monthly payment of costs of care in the institution as long as the income is made available to the community spouse.

(b) The monthly income allowance is the amount by which the community spouse's monthly maintenance needs allowance under paragraphs (c) and (d) exceeds the amount of monthly income otherwise available to the community spouse.

(c) The community spouse's monthly maintenance needs allowance is the lesser of $1,500 or 122 percent of the monthly federal poverty guideline for a family of two plus an excess shelter allowance. The excess shelter allowance is for the amount of shelter expenses that exceed 30 percent of 122 percent of the federal poverty guideline line for a family of two. Shelter expenses are the community spouse's expenses for rent, mortgage payments including principal and interest, taxes, insurance, required maintenance charges for a cooperative or condominium that is the community spouse's principal residence, and the standard utility allowance under section 5(e) of the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977. If the community spouse has a required maintenance charge for a cooperative or condominium, the standard utility allowance must be reduced by the amount of utility expenses included in the required maintenance charge.

If the community or institutionalized spouse establishes that the community spouse needs income greater than the monthly maintenance needs allowance determined in this paragraph due to exceptional circumstances resulting in significant financial duress, the monthly maintenance needs allowance may be increased to an amount that provides needed additional income.

(d) The percentage of the federal poverty guideline used to determine the monthly maintenance needs allowance in paragraph (c) is increased to 133 percent on July 1, 1991, and to 150 percent on July 1, 1992. Adjustments in the income limits due to annual changes in the federal poverty guidelines shall be implemented the first day of July following publication of the annual changes. The $1,500 maximum must be adjusted January 1, 1990, and every January 1 after that by the same percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) between the two previous Septembers.

(e) If a court has entered an order against an institutionalized spouse for monthly income for support of the community spouse, the community spouse's monthly income allowance under this subdivision shall not be less than the amount of the monthly income ordered.

Subd. 3. Family allowance. (a) A family allowance determined under paragraph (b) is not considered available to the institutionalized spouse for monthly payment of costs of care in the institution.

(b) The family allowance is equal to one-third of the amount by which 122 percent of the monthly federal poverty guideline for a family of two exceeds the monthly income for that family member.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, the term family member only includes a minor or dependent child, dependent parent, or dependent sibling of the institutionalized or community spouse if the sibling resides with the community spouse.

(d) The percentage of the federal poverty guideline used to determine the family allowance in paragraph (b) is increased to 133 percent on July 1, 1991, and to 150 percent on July 1, 1992. Adjustments in the income limits due to annual changes in the federal poverty guidelines shall be implemented the first day of July following publication of the annual changes.

Subd. 4. Treatment of income. (a) No income of the community spouse will be considered available to an eligible institutionalized spouse, beginning the first full calendar month of institutionalization, except as provided in this subdivision.

(b) In determining the income of an institutionalized spouse or community spouse, after the institutionalized spouse has been determined eligible for medical assistance, the following rules apply.

(1) For income that is not from a trust, availability is determined according to items (i) to (v), unless the instrument providing the income otherwise specifically provides:

(i) if payment is made solely in the name of one spouse, the income is considered available only to that spouse;

(ii) if payment is made in the names of both spouses, one-half of the income is considered available to each;

(iii) if payment is made in the names of one or both spouses together with one or more other persons, the income is considered available to each spouse according to the spouse's interest, or one-half of the joint interest is considered available to each spouse if each spouse's interest is not specified;

(iv) if there is no instrument that establishes ownership, one-half of the income is considered available to each spouse; and

(v) either spouse may rebut the determination of availability of income by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that ownership interests are different than provided above.

(2) For income from a trust, income is considered available to each spouse as provided in the trust. If the trust does not specify an amount available to either or both spouses, availability will be determined according to items (i) to (iii):

(i) if payment of income is made only to one spouse, the income is considered available only to that spouse;

(ii) if payment of income is made to both spouses, one-half is considered available to each; and

(iii) if payment is made to either or both spouses and one or more other persons, the income is considered available to each spouse in proportion to each spouse's interest, or if no such interest is specified, one-half of the joint interest is considered available to each spouse.

HIST: 1989 c 282 art 3 s 50

256B.059 Treatment of assets when a spouse is institutionalized.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

(b) "Community spouse" means the spouse of an institutionalized spouse.

(c) "Spousal share" means one-half of the total value of all assets, to the extent that either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse had an ownership interest at the time of institutionalization.

(d) "Assets otherwise available to the community spouse" means assets individually or jointly owned by the community spouse, other than assets excluded by subdivision 5, paragraph (c).

(e) "Community spouse asset allowance" is the value of assets that can be transferred under subdivision 3.

(f) "Institutionalized spouse" means a person who is:

(1) in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation, or receiving home and community-based services under section 256B.0915 or 256B.49, and is expected to remain in the facility or institution or receive the home and community-based services for at least 30 consecutive days; and

(2) married to a person who is not in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation, and is not receiving home and community-based services under section 256B.0915 or 256B.49.

Subd. 1a. Institutionalized spouse. The provisions of this section apply only when a spouse is institutionalized for a continuous period beginning on or after October 1, 1989.

Subd. 2. Assessment of spousal share. At the beginning of the first continuous period of institutionalization of a person beginning on or after October 1, 1989, at the request of either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, or upon application for medical assistance, the total value of assets in which either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse had an interest at the time of the first period of institutionalization of 30 days or more shall be assessed and documented and the spousal share shall be assessed and documented.

Subd. 3. Community spouse asset allowance. An institutionalized spouse may transfer assets to the community spouse solely for the benefit of the community spouse. Except for increased amounts allowable under subdivision 4, the maximum amount of assets allowed to be transferred is the amount which, when added to the assets otherwise available to the community spouse, is as follows:

(1) prior to July 1, 1994, the greater of:

(i) $14,148;

(ii) the lesser of the spousal share or $70,740; or

(iii) the amount required by court order to be paid to the community spouse; and

(2) for persons whose date of initial determination of eligibility for medical assistance following their first continuous period of institutionalization occurs on or after July 1, 1994, the greater of:

(i) $20,000;

(ii) the lesser of the spousal share or $70,740; or

(iii) the amount required by court order to be paid to the community spouse.

If the assets available to the community spouse are already at the limit permissible under this section, or the higher limit attributable to increases under subdivision 4, no assets may be transferred from the institutionalized spouse to the community spouse. The transfer must be made as soon as practicable after the date the institutionalized spouse is determined eligible for medical assistance, or within the amount of time needed for any court order required for the transfer. On January 1, 1994, and every January 1 thereafter, the limits in this subdivision shall be adjusted by the same percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) between the two previous Septembers. These adjustments shall also be applied to the limits in subdivision 5.

Subd. 4. Increased community spouse asset allowance; when allowed. (a) If either the institutionalized spouse or community spouse establishes that the community spouse asset allowance under subdivision 3 (in relation to the amount of income generated by such an allowance) is not sufficient to raise the community spouse's income to the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance in section 256B.058, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), there shall be substituted for the amount allowed to be transferred an amount sufficient, when combined with the monthly income otherwise available to the spouse, to provide the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance. A substitution under this paragraph may be made only if the assets of the couple have been arranged so that the maximum amount of income-producing assets, at the maximum rate of return, are available to the community spouse under the community spouse asset allowance. The maximum rate of return is the average rate of return available from the financial institution holding the asset, or a rate determined by the commissioner to be reasonable according to community standards, if the asset is not held by a financial institution.

(b) The community spouse asset allowance under subdivision 3 can be increased by court order or hearing that complies with the requirements of United States Code, title 42, section 1396r-5.

Subd. 5. Asset availability. (a) At the time of initial determination of eligibility for medical assistance benefits following the first continuous period of institutionalization on or after October 1, 1989, assets considered available to the institutionalized spouse shall be the total value of all assets in which either spouse has an ownership interest, reduced by the following:

(1) prior to July 1, 1994, the greater of:

(i) $14,148;

(ii) the lesser of the spousal share or $70,740; or

(iii) the amount required by court order to be paid to the community spouse;

(2) for persons whose date of initial determination of eligibility for medical assistance following their first continuous period of institutionalization occurs on or after July 1, 1994, the greater of:

(i) $20,000;

(ii) the lesser of the spousal share or $70,740; or

(iii) the amount required by court order to be paid to the community spouse. If the community spouse asset allowance has been increased under subdivision 4, then the assets considered available to the institutionalized spouse under this subdivision shall be further reduced by the value of additional amounts allowed under subdivision 4.

(b) An institutionalized spouse may be found eligible for medical assistance even though assets in excess of the allowable amount are found to be available under paragraph (a) if the assets are owned jointly or individually by the community spouse, and the institutionalized spouse cannot use those assets to pay for the cost of care without the consent of the community spouse, and if: (i) the institutionalized spouse assigns to the commissioner the right to support from the community spouse under section 256B.14, subdivision 3; (ii) the institutionalized spouse lacks the ability to execute an assignment due to a physical or mental impairment; or (iii) the denial of eligibility would cause an imminent threat to the institutionalized spouse's health and well-being.

(c) After the month in which the institutionalized spouse is determined eligible for medical assistance, during the continuous period of institutionalization, no assets of the community spouse are considered available to the institutionalized spouse, unless the institutionalized spouse has been found eligible under paragraph (b).

(d) Assets determined to be available to the institutionalized spouse under this section must be used for the health care or personal needs of the institutionalized spouse.

(e) For purposes of this section, assets do not include assets excluded under the supplemental security income program.

HIST: 1989 c 282 art 3 s 51; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 38,39; 1991 c 199 art 1 s 61; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 40,41; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 33,34; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 31-33; 1997 c 107 s 3-6

256B.0595 Prohibitions on transfer; exceptions.

Subdivision 1. Prohibited transfers. (a) For transfers of assets made on or before August 10, 1993, if a person or the person's spouse has given away, sold, or disposed of, for less than fair market value, any asset or interest therein, except assets other than the homestead that are excluded under the supplemental security program, within 30 months before or any time after the date of institutionalization if the person has been determined eligible for medical assistance, or within 30 months before or any time after the date of the first approved application for medical assistance if the person has not yet been determined eligible for medical assistance, the person is ineligible for long-term care services for the period of time determined under subdivision 2.

(b) Effective for transfers made after August 10, 1993, a person, a person's spouse, or any person, court, or administrative body with legal authority to act in place of, on behalf of, at the direction of, or upon the request of the person or person's spouse, may not give away, sell, or dispose of, for less than fair market value, any asset or interest therein, except assets other than the homestead that are excluded under the supplemental security income program, for the purpose of establishing or maintaining medical assistance eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility for long-term care services, any transfer of such assets within 36 months before or any time after an institutionalized person applies for medical assistance, or 36 months before or any time after a medical assistance recipient becomes institutionalized, for less than fair market value may be considered. Any such transfer is presumed to have been made for the purpose of establishing or maintaining medical assistance eligibility and the person is ineligible for long-term care services for the period of time determined under subdivision 2, unless the person furnishes convincing evidence to establish that the transaction was exclusively for another purpose, or unless the transfer is permitted under subdivision 3 or 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, in the case of payments from a trust or portions of a trust that are considered transfers of assets under federal law, any transfers made within 60 months before or any time after an institutionalized person applies for medical assistance and within 60 months before or any time after a medical assistance recipient becomes institutionalized, may be considered.

(c) This section applies to transfers, for less than fair market value, of income or assets, including assets that are considered income in the month received, such as inheritances, court settlements, and retroactive benefit payments or income to which the person or the person's spouse is entitled but does not receive due to action by the person, the person's spouse, or any person, court, or administrative body with legal authority to act in place of, on behalf of, at the direction of, or upon the request of the person or the person's spouse.

(d) This section applies to payments for care or personal services provided by a relative, unless the compensation was stipulated in a notarized, written agreement which was in existence when the service was performed, the care or services directly benefited the person, and the payments made represented reasonable compensation for the care or services provided. A notarized written agreement is not required if payment for the services was made within 60 days after the service was provided.

(e) This section applies to the portion of any asset or interest that a person, a person's spouse, or any person, court, or administrative body with legal authority to act in place of, on behalf of, at the direction of, or upon the request of the person or the person's spouse, transfers to any annuity that exceeds the value of the benefit likely to be returned to the person or spouse while alive, based on estimated life expectancy using the life expectancy tables employed by the supplemental security income program to determine the value of an agreement for services for life. The commissioner may adopt rules reducing life expectancies based on the need for long-term care.

(f) For purposes of this section, long-term care services include services in a nursing facility, services that are eligible for payment according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 2, because they are provided in a swing bed, intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation, and home and community-based services provided pursuant to sections 256B.0915, 256B.092, and 256B.49. For purposes of this subdivision and subdivisions 2, 3, and 4, "institutionalized person" includes a person who is an inpatient in a nursing facility or in a swing bed, or intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or who is receiving home and community-based services under sections 256B.0915, 256B.092, and 256B.49.

Subd. 1a. Repealed, 2001 c 203 s 19

Subd. 2. Period of ineligibility. (a) For any uncompensated transfer occurring on or before August 10, 1993, the number of months of ineligibility for long-term care services shall be the lesser of 30 months, or the uncompensated transfer amount divided by the average medical assistance rate for nursing facility services in the state in effect on the date of application. The amount used to calculate the average medical assistance payment rate shall be adjusted each July 1 to reflect payment rates for the previous calendar year. The period of ineligibility begins with the month in which the assets were transferred. If the transfer was not reported to the local agency at the time of application, and the applicant received long-term care services during what would have been the period of ineligibility if the transfer had been reported, a cause of action exists against the transferee for the cost of long-term care services provided during the period of ineligibility, or for the uncompensated amount of the transfer, whichever is less. The action may be brought by the state or the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under chapter 256G. The uncompensated transfer amount is the fair market value of the asset at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed of, less the amount of compensation received.

(b) For uncompensated transfers made after August 10, 1993, the number of months of ineligibility for long-term care services shall be the total uncompensated value of the resources transferred divided by the average medical assistance rate for nursing facility services in the state in effect on the date of application. The amount used to calculate the average medical assistance payment rate shall be adjusted each July 1 to reflect payment rates for the previous calendar year. The period of ineligibility begins with the month in which the assets were transferred except that if one or more uncompensated transfers are made during a period of ineligibility, the total assets transferred during the ineligibility period shall be combined and a penalty period calculated to begin in the month the first uncompensated transfer was made. If the transfer was not reported to the local agency at the time of application, and the applicant received medical assistance services during what would have been the period of ineligibility if the transfer had been reported, a cause of action exists against the transferee for the cost of medical assistance services provided during the period of ineligibility, or for the uncompensated amount of the transfer, whichever is less. The action may be brought by the state or the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under chapter 256G. The uncompensated transfer amount is the fair market value of the asset at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed of, less the amount of compensation received. Effective for transfers made on or after March 1, 1996, involving persons who apply for medical assistance on or after April 13, 1996, no cause of action exists for a transfer unless:

(1) the transferee knew or should have known that the transfer was being made by a person who was a resident of a long-term care facility or was receiving that level of care in the community at the time of the transfer;

(2) the transferee knew or should have known that the transfer was being made to assist the person to qualify for or retain medical assistance eligibility; or

(3) the transferee actively solicited the transfer with intent to assist the person to qualify for or retain eligibility for medical assistance.

(c) If a calculation of a penalty period results in a partial month, payments for long-term care services shall be reduced in an amount equal to the fraction, except that in calculating the value of uncompensated transfers, if the total value of all uncompensated transfers made in a month not included in an existing penalty period does not exceed $500, then such transfers shall be disregarded for each month prior to the month of application for or during receipt of medical assistance.

Subd. 2a. Repealed, 2001 c 203 s 19

Subd. 3. Homestead exception to transfer prohibition. (a) An institutionalized person is not ineligible for long-term care services due to a transfer of assets for less than fair market value if the asset transferred was a homestead and:

(1) title to the homestead was transferred to the individual's

(i) spouse;

(ii) child who is under age 21;

(iii) blind or permanently and totally disabled child as defined in the supplemental security income program;

(iv) sibling who has equity interest in the home and who was residing in the home for a period of at least one year immediately before the date of the individual's admission to the facility; or

(v) son or daughter who was residing in the individual's home for a period of at least two years immediately before the date of the individual's admission to the facility, and who provided care to the individual that, as certified by the individual's attending physician, permitted the individual to reside at home rather than in an institution or facility;

(2) a satisfactory showing is made that the individual intended to dispose of the homestead at fair market value or for other valuable consideration; or

(3) the local agency grants a waiver of a penalty resulting from a transfer for less than fair market value because denial of eligibility would cause undue hardship for the individual, based on imminent threat to the individual's health and well-being. Whenever an applicant or recipient is denied eligibility because of a transfer for less than fair market value, the local agency shall notify the applicant or recipient that the applicant or recipient may request a waiver of the penalty if the denial of eligibility will cause undue hardship. In evaluating a waiver, the local agency shall take into account whether the individual was the victim of financial exploitation, whether the individual has made reasonable efforts to recover the transferred property or resource, and other factors relevant to a determination of hardship. If the local agency does not approve a hardship waiver, the local agency shall issue a written notice to the individual stating the reasons for the denial and the process for appealing the local agency's decision.

(b) When a waiver is granted under paragraph (a), clause (3), a cause of action exists against the person to whom the homestead was transferred for that portion of long-term care services granted within:

(1) 30 months of a transfer made on or before August 10, 1993;

(2) 60 months if the homestead was transferred after August 10, 1993, to a trust or portion of a trust that is considered a transfer of assets under federal law; or

(3) 36 months if transferred in any other manner after August 10, 1993,

or the amount of the uncompensated transfer, whichever is less, together with the costs incurred due to the action. The action shall be brought by the state unless the state delegates this responsibility to the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under chapter 256G.

Subd. 3a. Repealed, 2001 c 203 s 19

Subd. 4. Other exceptions to transfer prohibition. An institutionalized person who has made, or whose spouse has made a transfer prohibited by subdivision 1, is not ineligible for long-term care services if one of the following conditions applies:

(1) the assets were transferred to the individual's spouse or to another for the sole benefit of the spouse; or

(2) the institutionalized spouse, prior to being institutionalized, transferred assets to a spouse, provided that the spouse to whom the assets were transferred does not then transfer those assets to another person for less than fair market value. (At the time when one spouse is institutionalized, assets must be allocated between the spouses as provided under section 256B.059); or

(3) the assets were transferred to the individual's child who is blind or permanently and totally disabled as determined in the supplemental security income program; or

(4) a satisfactory showing is made that the individual intended to dispose of the assets either at fair market value or for other valuable consideration; or

(5) the local agency determines that denial of eligibility for long-term care services would work an undue hardship and grants a waiver of a penalty resulting from a transfer for less than fair market value based on an imminent threat to the individual's health and well-being. Whenever an applicant or recipient is denied eligibility because of a transfer for less than fair market value, the local agency shall notify the applicant or recipient that the applicant or recipient may request a waiver of the penalty if the denial of eligibility will cause undue hardship. In evaluating a waiver, the local agency shall take into account whether the individual was the victim of financial exploitation, whether the individual has made reasonable efforts to recover the transferred property or resource, and other factors relevant to a determination of hardship. If the local agency does not approve a hardship waiver, the local agency shall issue a written notice to the individual stating the reasons for the denial and the process for appealing the local agency's decision. When a waiver is granted, a cause of action exists against the person to whom the assets were transferred for that portion of long-term care services granted within:

(i) 30 months of a transfer made on or before August 10, 1993;

(ii) 60 months of a transfer if the assets were transferred after August 30, 1993, to a trust or portion of a trust that is considered a transfer of assets under federal law; or

(iii) 36 months of a transfer if transferred in any other manner after August 10, 1993,

or the amount of the uncompensated transfer, whichever is less, together with the costs incurred due to the action. The action shall be brought by the state unless the state delegates this responsibility to the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under this chapter; or

(6) for transfers occurring after August 10, 1993, the assets were transferred by the person or person's spouse: (i) into a trust established solely for the benefit of a son or daughter of any age who is blind or disabled as defined by the Supplemental Security Income program; or (ii) into a trust established solely for the benefit of an individual who is under 65 years of age who is disabled as defined by the Supplemental Security Income program.

Subd. 4a. Repealed, 2001 c 203 s 19

Subd. 5. Notice of receipt of federal waiver. In every instance in which a federal waiver that allows the implementation of a provision in this section is granted, the commissioner shall publish notice of receipt of the waiver in the State Register.

Subd. 6. No bad effect on realty conveyance, encumbrance. This section does not invalidate or impair the effectiveness of a conveyance or encumbrance of real estate.

Subd. 7. Notice of rights. If a period of ineligibility is imposed under subdivision 2 or 2a, the local agency shall inform the applicant or recipient subject to the penalty of the person's rights under section 325F.71, subdivision 2.

HIST: 1986 c 444; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 52; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 40-42; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 42; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 35; 1994 c 388 art 1 s 2; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 34-37; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 11-19,62; 2001 c 203 s 7,8,19

* NOTE: The amendments to subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4, by *Laws 1995, chapter 207, article 6, sections 34 to 37, are *effective retroactive to August 11, 1993, except that portion *amending subdivision 2, paragraph (c), is effective retroactive *to transfers of income or assets made on or after September 1, *1994. Laws 1995, chapter 207, article 6, section 125, *subdivision 2, and Laws 1995, chapter 263, section 6.

256B.06 Eligibility; migrant workers; citizenship.

Subdivision 1. Renumbered 256B.055 subdivision 1

Subd. 1a. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 2

Subd. 1b. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 3

Subd. 1c. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 4

Subd. 1d. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 5

Subd. 1e. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 6

Subd. 1f. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 7

Subd. 1g. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 8

Subd. 1h. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 9

Subd. 1i. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 10

Subd. 1j. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 11

Subd. 1k. Renumbered 256B.056 subdivision 1

Subd. 1l. Renumbered 256B.056 subd 2

Subd. 1m. Renumbered 256B.056 subd 3

Subd. 1n. Renumbered 256B.056 subd 4

Subd. 1o. Renumbered 256B.056 subd 5

Subd. 1p. Renumbered 256B.056 subd 6

Subd. 1q. Renumbered 256B.055 subd 12

Subd. 1r. Renumbered 256B.056 subd 7

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1974 c 525 s 3

Subd. 3. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a migrant worker who meets all of the eligibility requirements of this section except for having a permanent place of abode in another state, shall be eligible for medical assistance and shall have medical needs met by the county in which the worker resides at the time of making application.

Subd. 4. Citizenship requirements. (a) Eligibility for medical assistance is limited to citizens of the United States, qualified noncitizens as defined in this subdivision, and other persons residing lawfully in the United States.

(b) "Qualified noncitizen" means a person who meets one of the following immigration criteria:

(1) admitted for lawful permanent residence according to United States Code, title 8;

(2) admitted to the United States as a refugee according to United States Code, title 8, section 1157;

(3) granted asylum according to United States Code, title 8, section 1158;

(4) granted withholding of deportation according to United States Code, title 8, section 1253(h);

(5) paroled for a period of at least one year according to United States Code, title 8, section 1182(d)(5);

(6) granted conditional entrant status according to United States Code, title 8, section 1153(a)(7);

(7) determined to be a battered noncitizen by the United States Attorney General according to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, title V of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Bill, Public Law Number 104-200;

(8) is a child of a noncitizen determined to be a battered noncitizen by the United States Attorney General according to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, title V, of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Bill, Public Law Number 104-200; or

(9) determined to be a Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in section 501(e) of Public Law Number 96-422, the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980.

(c) All qualified noncitizens who were residing in the United States before August 22, 1996, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical assistance with federal financial participation.

(d) All qualified noncitizens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical assistance with federal financial participation through November 30, 1996.

Beginning December 1, 1996, qualified noncitizens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B are eligible for medical assistance with federal participation for five years if they meet one of the following criteria:

(i) refugees admitted to the United States according to United States Code, title 8, section 1157;

(ii) persons granted asylum according to United States Code, title 8, section 1158;

(iii) persons granted withholding of deportation according to United States Code, title 8, section 1253(h);

(iv) veterans of the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge for a reason other than noncitizen status, their spouses and unmarried minor dependent children; or

(v) persons on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, other than for training, their spouses and unmarried minor dependent children.

Beginning December 1, 1996, qualified noncitizens who do not meet one of the criteria in items (i) to (v) are eligible for medical assistance without federal financial participation as described in paragraph (j).

(e) Noncitizens who are not qualified noncitizens as defined in paragraph (b), who are lawfully residing in the United States and who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical assistance under clauses (1) to (3). These individuals must cooperate with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to pursue any applicable immigration status, including citizenship, that would qualify them for medical assistance with federal financial participation.

(1) Persons who were medical assistance recipients on August 22, 1996, are eligible for medical assistance with federal financial participation through December 31, 1996.

(2) Beginning January 1, 1997, persons described in clause (1) are eligible for medical assistance without federal financial participation as described in paragraph (j).

(3) Beginning December 1, 1996, persons residing in the United States prior to August 22, 1996, who were not receiving medical assistance and persons who arrived on or after August 22, 1996, are eligible for medical assistance without federal financial participation as described in paragraph (j).

(f) Nonimmigrants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B are eligible for the benefits as provided in paragraphs (g) to (i). For purposes of this subdivision, a "nonimmigrant" is a person in one of the classes listed in United States Code, title 8, section 1101(a)(15).

(g) Payment shall also be made for care and services that are furnished to noncitizens, regardless of immigration status, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, if such care and services are necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition, except for organ transplants and related care and services and routine prenatal care.

(h) For purposes of this subdivision, the term "emergency medical condition" means a medical condition that meets the requirements of United States Code, title 42, section 1396b(v).

(i) Pregnant noncitizens who are undocumented or nonimmigrants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B, are eligible for medical assistance payment without federal financial participation for care and services through the period of pregnancy, and 60 days postpartum, except for labor and delivery.

(j) Qualified noncitizens as described in paragraph (d), and all other noncitizens lawfully residing in the United States as described in paragraph (e), who are ineligible for medical assistance with federal financial participation and who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of chapter 256B and of this paragraph, are eligible for medical assistance without federal financial participation. Qualified noncitizens as described in paragraph (d) are only eligible for medical assistance without federal financial participation for five years from their date of entry into the United States.

(k) The commissioner shall submit to the legislature by December 31, 1998, a report on the number of recipients and cost of coverage of care and services made according to paragraphs (i) and (j).

Subd. 5. Deeming of sponsor income and resources. When determining eligibility for any federal or state funded medical assistance under this section, the income and resources of all noncitizens shall be deemed to include their sponsors' income and resources as required under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law Number 104-193, sections 421 and 422, and subsequently set out in federal rules. This section is effective May 1, 1997.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 6; 1969 c 841 s 1; 1973 c 717 s 18; 1974 c 525 s 1,2; 1975 c 247 s 10; 1976 c 236 s 3; 1977 c 448 s 6; 1978 c 760 s 1; 1979 c 309 s 4; 1980 c 509 s 106; 1980 c 527 s 1; 1981 c 360 art 2 s 28; 1Sp1981 c 2 s 14; 3Sp1981 c 2 art 1 s 32; 3Sp1981 c 3 s 17; 1982 c 553 s 6; 1982 c 640 s 5; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 15; 1984 c 422 s 1; 1984 c 534 s 22; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1985 c 252 s 21; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 1 art 8 s 5; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 79,80; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 144,145,268; 1991 c 199 art 2 s 1; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 38; 1997 c 85 art 3 s 19,20; 1997 c 203 art 12 s 2; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 19

256B.061 Eligibility; retroactive effect; restrictions.

(a) If any individual has been determined to be eligible for medical assistance, it will be made available for care and services included under the plan and furnished in or after the third month before the month in which the individual made application for such assistance, if such individual was, or upon application would have been, eligible for medical assistance at the time the care and services were furnished. The commissioner may limit, restrict, or suspend the eligibility of an individual for up to one year upon that individual's conviction of a criminal offense related to application for or receipt of medical assistance benefits.

(b) On the basis of information provided on the completed application, an applicant who meets the following criteria shall be determined eligible beginning in the month of application:

(1) whose gross income is less than 90 percent of the applicable income standard;

(2) whose total liquid assets are less than 90 percent of the asset limit;

(3) does not reside in a long-term care facility; and

(4) meets all other eligibility requirements.

The applicant must provide all required verifications within 30 days' notice of the eligibility determination or eligibility shall be terminated.

HIST: 1973 c 717 s 3; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 16; 1986 c 444; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 36

256B.062 Repealed, 1998 c 407 art 6 s 12,118

256B.0621 Covered services: targeted case management services.

Subdivision 1. Targeted case management services. Medical assistance covers case management services for vulnerable adults and persons with developmental disabilities not receiving home and community-based waiver services.

Subd. 2. Targeted case management; definitions. For purposes of subdivisions 3 to 10, the following terms have the meanings given them:

(1) "home care service recipients" means those individuals receiving the following services under section 256B.0627: skilled nursing visits, home health aide visits, private duty nursing, personal care assistants, or therapies provided through a home health agency;

(2) "home care targeted case management" means the provision of targeted case management services for the purpose of assisting home care service recipients to gain access to needed services and supports so that they may remain in the community;

(3) "institutions" means hospitals, consistent with Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 440.10; regional treatment center inpatient services, consistent with section 245.474; nursing facilities; and intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation;

(4) "relocation targeted case management" means the provision of targeted case management services for the purpose of assisting recipients to gain access to needed services and supports if they choose to move from an institution to the community. Relocation targeted case management may be provided during the last 180 consecutive days of an eligible recipient's institutional stay; and

(5) "targeted case management" means case management services provided to help recipients gain access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services and supports.

Subd. 3. Eligibility. The following persons are eligible for relocation targeted case management or home care-targeted case management:

(1) medical assistance eligible persons residing in institutions who choose to move into the community are eligible for relocation targeted case management services; and

(2) medical assistance eligible persons receiving home care services, who are not eligible for any other medical assistance reimbursable case management service, are eligible for home care-targeted case management services beginning January 1, 2003.

Subd. 4. Relocation targeted case management provider qualifications. The following qualifications and certification standards must be met by providers of relocation targeted case management:

(a) The commissioner must certify each provider of relocation targeted case management before enrollment. The certification process shall examine the provider's ability to meet the requirements in this subdivision and other federal and state requirements of this service. A certified relocation targeted case management provider may subcontract with another provider to deliver relocation targeted case management services. Subcontracted providers must demonstrate the ability to provide the services outlined in subdivision 6.

(b) A relocation targeted case management provider is an enrolled medical assistance provider who is determined by the commissioner to have all of the following characteristics:

(1) the legal authority to provide public welfare under sections 393.01, subdivision 7; and 393.07; or a federally recognized Indian tribe;

(2) the demonstrated capacity and experience to provide the components of case management to coordinate and link community resources needed by the eligible population;

(3) the administrative capacity and experience to serve the target population for whom it will provide services and ensure quality of services under state and federal requirements;

(4) the legal authority to provide complete investigative and protective services under section 626.556, subdivision 10; and child welfare and foster care services under section 393.07, subdivisions 1 and 2; or a federally recognized Indian tribe;

(5) a financial management system that provides accurate documentation of services and costs under state and federal requirements; and

(6) the capacity to document and maintain individual case records under state and federal requirements.

A provider of targeted case management under subdivision 20 may be deemed a certified provider of relocation targeted case management.

Subd. 5. Home care targeted case management provider qualifications. The following qualifications and certification standards must be met by providers of home care targeted case management.

(a) The commissioner must certify each provider of home care targeted case management before enrollment. The certification process shall examine the provider's ability to meet the requirements in this subdivision and other state and federal requirements of this service.

(b) A home care targeted case management provider is an enrolled medical assistance provider who has a minimum of a bachelor's degree or a license in a health or human services field, and is determined by the commissioner to have all of the following characteristics:

(1) the demonstrated capacity and experience to provide the components of case management to coordinate and link community resources needed by the eligible population;

(2) the administrative capacity and experience to serve the target population for whom it will provide services and ensure quality of services under state and federal requirements;

(3) a financial management system that provides accurate documentation of services and costs under state and federal requirements;

(4) the capacity to document and maintain individual case records under state and federal requirements; and

(5) the capacity to coordinate with county administrative functions.

Subd. 6. Eligible services. Services eligible for medical assistance reimbursement as targeted case management include:

(1) assessment of the recipient's need for targeted case management services;

(2) development, completion, and regular review of a written individual service plan, which is based upon the assessment of the recipient's needs and choices, and which will ensure access to medical, social, educational, and other related services and supports;

(3) routine contact or communication with the recipient, recipient's family, primary caregiver, legal representative, substitute care provider, service providers, or other relevant persons identified as necessary to the development or implementation of the goals of the individual service plan;

(4) coordinating referrals for, and the provision of, case management services for the recipient with appropriate service providers, consistent with section 1902(a)(23) of the Social Security Act;

(5) coordinating and monitoring the overall service delivery to ensure quality of services, appropriateness, and continued need;

(6) completing and maintaining necessary documentation that supports and verifies the activities in this subdivision;

(7) traveling to conduct a visit with the recipient or other relevant person necessary to develop or implement the goals of the individual service plan; and

(8) coordinating with the institution discharge planner in the 180-day period before the recipient's discharge.

Subd. 7. Time lines. The following time lines must be met for assigning a case manager:

(1) for relocation targeted case management, an eligible recipient must be assigned a case manager who visits the person within 20 working days of requesting a case manager from their county of financial responsibility as determined under chapter 256G. If a county agency does not provide case management services as required, the recipient may, after written notice to the county agency, obtain targeted relocation case management services from a home care targeted case management provider, as defined in subdivision 5; and

(2) for home care targeted case management, an eligible recipient must be assigned a case manager within 20 working days of requesting a case manager from a home care targeted case management provider, as defined in subdivision 5.

Subd. 8. Evaluation. The commissioner shall evaluate the delivery of targeted case management, including, but not limited to, access to case management services, consumer satisfaction with case management services, and quality of case management services.

Subd. 9. Contact documentation. The case manager must document each face-to-face and telephone contact with the recipient and others involved in the recipient's individual service plan.

Subd. 10. Payment rates. The commissioner shall set payment rates for targeted case management under this subdivision. Case managers may bill according to the following criteria:

(1) for relocation targeted case management, case managers may bill for direct case management activities, including face-to-face and telephone contacts, in the 180 days preceding an eligible recipient's discharge from an institution;

(2) for home care targeted case management, case managers may bill for direct case management activities, including face-to-face and telephone contacts; and

(3) billings for targeted case management services under this subdivision shall not duplicate payments made under other program authorities for the same purpose.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 39; art 3 s 20-28

* NOTE: Subdivision 5, as added by Laws 2001, First Special *Session chapter 9, article 3, section 23, is effective January *1, 2003. Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, article 3, *section 77.

256B.0623 Covered service: adult rehabilitative mental health services.

Subdivision 1. Scope. Medical assistance covers adult rehabilitative mental health services as defined in subdivision 2, subject to federal approval, if provided to recipients as defined in subdivision 3 and provided by a qualified provider entity meeting the standards in this section and by a qualified individual provider working within the provider's scope of practice and identified in the recipient's individual treatment plan as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 14, and if determined to be medically necessary according to section 62Q.53.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(a) "Adult rehabilitative mental health services" means mental health services which are rehabilitative and enable the recipient to develop and enhance psychiatric stability, social competencies, personal and emotional adjustment, and independent living and community skills, when these abilities are impaired by the symptoms of mental illness. Adult rehabilitative mental health services are also appropriate when provided to enable a recipient to retain stability and functioning, if the recipient would be at risk of significant functional decompensation or more restrictive service settings without these services.

(1) Adult rehabilitative mental health services instruct, assist, and support the recipient in areas such as: interpersonal communication skills, community resource utilization and integration skills, crisis assistance, relapse prevention skills, health care directives, budgeting and shopping skills, healthy lifestyle skills and practices, cooking and nutrition skills, transportation skills, medication education and monitoring, mental illness symptom management skills, household management skills, employment-related skills, and transition to community living services.

(2) These services shall be provided to the recipient on a one-to-one basis in the recipient's home or another community setting or in groups.

(b) "Medication education services" means services provided individually or in groups which focus on educating the recipient about mental illness and symptoms; the role and effects of medications in treating symptoms of mental illness; and the side effects of medications. Medication education is coordinated with medication management services and does not duplicate it. Medication education services are provided by physicians, pharmacists, or registered nurses.

(c) "Transition to community living services" means services which maintain continuity of contact between the rehabilitation services provider and the recipient and which facilitate discharge from a hospital, residential treatment program under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9505, board and lodging facility, or nursing home. Transition to community living services are not intended to provide other areas of adult rehabilitative mental health services.

Subd. 3. Eligibility. An eligible recipient is an individual who:

(1) is age 18 or older;

(2) is diagnosed with a medical condition, such as mental illness or traumatic brain injury, for which adult rehabilitative mental health services are needed;

(3) has substantial disability and functional impairment in three or more of the areas listed in section 245.462, subdivision 11a, so that self-sufficiency is markedly reduced; and

(4) has had a recent diagnostic assessment by a qualified professional that documents adult rehabilitative mental health services are medically necessary to address identified disability and functional impairments and individual recipient goals.

Subd. 4. Provider entity standards. (a) The provider entity must be:

(1) a county operated entity certified by the state; or

(2) a noncounty entity certified by the entity's host county.

(b) The certification process is a determination as to whether the entity meets the standards in this subdivision. The certification must specify which adult rehabilitative mental health services the entity is qualified to provide.

(c) If an entity seeks to provide services outside its host county, it must obtain additional certification from each county in which it will provide services. The additional certification must be based on the adequacy of the entity's knowledge of that county's local health and human service system, and the ability of the entity to coordinate its services with the other services available in that county.

(d) Recertification must occur at least every two years.

(e) The commissioner may intervene at any time and decertify providers with cause. The decertification is subject to appeal to the state. A county board may recommend that the state decertify a provider for cause.

(f) The adult rehabilitative mental health services provider entity must meet the following standards:

(1) have capacity to recruit, hire, manage, and train mental health professionals, mental health practitioners, and mental health rehabilitation workers;

(2) have adequate administrative ability to ensure availability of services;

(3) ensure adequate preservice and inservice training for staff;

(4) ensure that mental health professionals, mental health practitioners, and mental health rehabilitation workers are skilled in the delivery of the specific adult rehabilitative mental health services provided to the individual eligible recipient;

(5) ensure that staff is capable of implementing culturally specific services that are culturally competent and appropriate as determined by the recipient's culture, beliefs, values, and language as identified in the individual treatment plan;

(6) ensure enough flexibility in service delivery to respond to the changing and intermittent care needs of a recipient as identified by the recipient and the individual treatment plan;

(7) ensure that the mental health professional or mental health practitioner, who is under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional, involved in a recipient's services participates in the development of the individual treatment plan;

(8) assist the recipient in arranging needed crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization services;

(9) ensure that services are coordinated with other recipient mental health services providers and the county mental health authority and the federally recognized American Indian authority and necessary others after obtaining the consent of the recipient. Services must also be coordinated with the recipient's case manager or care coordinator if the recipient is receiving case management or care coordination services;

(10) develop and maintain recipient files, individual treatment plans, and contact charting;

(11) develop and maintain staff training and personnel files;

(12) submit information as required by the state;

(13) establish and maintain a quality assurance plan to evaluate the outcome of services provided;

(14) keep all necessary records required by law;

(15) deliver services as required by section 245.461;

(16) comply with all applicable laws;

(17) be an enrolled Medicaid provider;

(18) maintain a quality assurance plan to determine specific service outcomes and the recipient's satisfaction with services; and

(19) develop and maintain written policies and procedures regarding service provision and administration of the provider entity.

(g) The commissioner shall develop statewide procedures for provider certification, including timelines for counties to certify qualified providers.

Subd. 5. Qualifications of provider staff. Adult rehabilitative mental health services must be provided by qualified individual provider staff of a certified provider entity. Individual provider staff must be qualified under one of the following criteria:

(1) a mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5);

(2) a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17. The mental health practitioner must work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional; or

(3) a mental health rehabilitation worker. A mental health rehabilitation worker means a staff person working under the direction of a mental health practitioner or mental health professional and under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional in the implementation of rehabilitative mental health services as identified in the recipient's individual treatment plan who:

(i) is at least 21 years of age;

(ii) has a high school diploma or equivalent;

(iii) has successfully completed 30 hours of training during the past two years in all of the following areas: recipient rights, recipient-centered individual treatment planning, behavioral terminology, mental illness, co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse, psychotropic medications and side effects, functional assessment, local community resources, adult vulnerability, recipient confidentiality; and

(iv) meets the qualifications in subitem (A) or (B):

(A) has an associate of arts degree in one of the behavioral sciences or human services, or is a registered nurse without a bachelor's degree, or who within the previous ten years has:

(1) three years of personal life experience with serious and persistent mental illness;

(2) three years of life experience as a primary caregiver to an adult with a serious mental illness or traumatic brain injury; or

(3) 4,000 hours of supervised paid work experience in the delivery of mental health services to adults with a serious mental illness or traumatic brain injury; or

(B)(1) is fluent in the non-English language or competent in the culture of the ethnic group to which at least 50 percent of the mental health rehabilitation worker's clients belong;

(2) receives during the first 2,000 hours of work, monthly documented individual clinical supervision by a mental health professional;

(3) has 18 hours of documented field supervision by a mental health professional or practitioner during the first 160 hours of contact work with recipients, and at least six hours of field supervision quarterly during the following year;

(4) has review and cosignature of charting of recipient contacts during field supervision by a mental health professional or practitioner; and

(5) has 40 hours of additional continuing education on mental health topics during the first year of employment.

Subd. 6. Required training and supervision. (a) Mental health rehabilitation workers must receive ongoing continuing education training of at least 30 hours every two years in areas of mental illness and mental health services and other areas specific to the population being served. Mental health rehabilitation workers must also be subject to the ongoing direction and clinical supervision standards in paragraphs (c) and (d).

(b) Mental health practitioners must receive ongoing continuing education training as required by their professional license; or if the practitioner is not licensed, the practitioner must receive ongoing continuing education training of at least 30 hours every two years in areas of mental illness and mental health services. Mental health practitioners must meet the ongoing clinical supervision standards in paragraph (c).

(c) A mental health professional providing clinical supervision of staff delivering adult rehabilitative mental health services must provide the following guidance:

(1) review the information in the recipient's file;

(2) review and approve initial and updates of individual treatment plans;

(3) meet with mental health rehabilitation workers and practitioners, individually or in small groups, at least monthly to discuss treatment topics of interest to the workers and practitioners;

(4) meet with mental health rehabilitation workers and practitioners, individually or in small groups, at least monthly to discuss treatment plans of recipients, and approve by signature and document in the recipient's file any resulting plan updates;

(5) meet at least twice a month with the directing mental health practitioner, if there is one, to review needs of the adult rehabilitative mental health services program, review staff on-site observations and evaluate mental health rehabilitation workers, plan staff training, review program evaluation and development, and consult with the directing practitioner;

(6) be available for urgent consultation as the individual recipient needs or the situation necessitates; and

(7) provide clinical supervision by full- or part-time mental health professionals employed by or under contract with the provider entity.

(d) An adult rehabilitative mental health services provider entity must have a treatment director who is a mental health practitioner or mental health professional. The treatment director must ensure the following:

(1) while delivering direct services to recipients, a newly hired mental health rehabilitation worker must be directly observed delivering services to recipients by the mental health practitioner or mental health professional for at least six hours per 40 hours worked during the first 160 hours that the mental health rehabilitation worker works;

(2) the mental health rehabilitation worker must receive ongoing on-site direct service observation by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner for at least six hours for every six months of employment;

(3) progress notes are reviewed from on-site service observation prepared by the mental health rehabilitation worker and mental health practitioner for accuracy and consistency with actual recipient contact and the individual treatment plan and goals;

(4) immediate availability by phone or in person for consultation by a mental health professional or a mental health practitioner to the mental health rehabilitation services worker during service provision;

(5) oversee the identification of changes in individual recipient treatment strategies, revise the plan, and communicate treatment instructions and methodologies as appropriate to ensure that treatment is implemented correctly;

(6) model service practices which: respect the recipient, include the recipient in planning and implementation of the individual treatment plan, recognize the recipient's strengths, collaborate and coordinate with other involved parties and providers;

(7) ensure that mental health practitioners and mental health rehabilitation workers are able to effectively communicate with the recipients, significant others, and providers; and

(8) oversee the record of the results of on-site observation and charting evaluation and corrective actions taken to modify the work of the mental health practitioners and mental health rehabilitation workers.

(e) A mental health practitioner who is providing treatment direction for a provider entity must receive supervision at least monthly from a mental health professional to:

(1) identify and plan for general needs of the recipient population served;

(2) identify and plan to address provider entity program needs and effectiveness;

(3) identify and plan provider entity staff training and personnel needs and issues; and

(4) plan, implement, and evaluate provider entity quality improvement programs.

Subd. 7. Personnel file. The adult rehabilitative mental health services provider entity must maintain a personnel file on each staff. Each file must contain:

(1) an annual performance review;

(2) a summary of on-site service observations and charting review;

(3) a criminal background check of all direct service staff;

(4) evidence of academic degree and qualifications;

(5) a copy of professional license;

(6) any job performance recognition and disciplinary actions;

(7) any individual staff written input into own personnel file;

(8) all clinical supervision provided; and

(9) documentation of compliance with continuing education requirements.

Subd. 8. Diagnostic assessment. Providers of adult rehabilitative mental health services must complete a diagnostic assessment as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 9, within five days after the recipient's second visit or within 30 days after intake, whichever occurs first. In cases where a diagnostic assessment is available that reflects the recipient's current status, and has been completed within 180 days preceding admission, an update must be completed. An update shall include a written summary by a mental health professional of the recipient's current mental health status and service needs. If the recipient's mental health status has changed significantly since the adult's most recent diagnostic assessment, a new diagnostic assessment is required.

Subd. 9. Functional assessment. Providers of adult rehabilitative mental health services must complete a written functional assessment as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 11a, for each recipient. The functional assessment must be completed within 30 days of intake, and reviewed and updated at least every six months after it is developed, unless there is a significant change in the functioning of the recipient. If there is a significant change in functioning, the assessment must be updated. A single functional assessment can meet case management and adult rehabilitative mental health services requirements if agreed to by the recipient. Unless the recipient refuses, the recipient must have significant participation in the development of the functional assessment.

Subd. 10. Individual treatment plan. All providers of adult rehabilitative mental health services must develop and implement an individual treatment plan for each recipient. The provisions in clauses (1) and (2) apply:

(1) Individual treatment plan means a plan of intervention, treatment, and services for an individual recipient written by a mental health professional or by a mental health practitioner under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional. The individual treatment plan must be based on diagnostic and functional assessments. To the extent possible, the development and implementation of a treatment plan must be a collaborative process involving the recipient, and with the permission of the recipient, the recipient's family and others in the recipient's support system. Providers of adult rehabilitative mental health services must develop the individual treatment plan within 30 calendar days of intake. The treatment plan must be updated at least every six months thereafter, or more often when there is significant change in the recipient's situation or functioning, or in services or service methods to be used, or at the request of the recipient or the recipient's legal guardian.

(2) The individual treatment plan must include:

(i) a list of problems identified in the assessment;

(ii) the recipient's strengths and resources;

(iii) concrete, measurable goals to be achieved, including time frames for achievement;

(iv) specific objectives directed toward the achievement of each one of the goals;

(v) documentation of participants in the treatment planning. The recipient, if possible, must be a participant. The recipient or the recipient's legal guardian must sign the treatment plan, or documentation must be provided why this was not possible. A copy of the plan must be given to the recipient or legal guardian. Referral to formal services must be arranged, including specific providers where applicable;

(vi) cultural considerations, resources, and needs of the recipient must be included;

(vii) planned frequency and type of services must be initiated; and

(viii) clear progress notes on outcome of goals.

(3) The individual community support plan defined in section 245.462, subdivision 12, may serve as the individual treatment plan if there is involvement of a mental health case manager, and with the approval of the recipient. The individual community support plan must include the criteria in clause (2).

Subd. 11. Recipient file. Providers of adult rehabilitative mental health services must maintain a file for each recipient that contains the following information:

(1) diagnostic assessment or verification of its location that is current and that was reviewed by a mental health professional who is employed by or under contract with the provider entity;

(2) functional assessments;

(3) individual treatment plans signed by the recipient and the mental health professional, or if the recipient refused to sign the plan, the date and reason stated by the recipient as to why the recipient would not sign the plan;

(4) recipient history;

(5) signed release forms;

(6) recipient health information and current medications;

(7) emergency contacts for the recipient;

(8) case records which document the date of service, the place of service delivery, signature of the person providing the service, nature, extent and units of service, and place of service delivery;

(9) contacts, direct or by telephone, with recipient's family or others, other providers, or other resources for service coordination;

(10) summary of recipient case reviews by staff; and

(11) written information by the recipient that the recipient requests be included in the file.

Subd. 12. Additional requirements. (a) Providers of adult rehabilitative mental health services must comply with the requirements relating to referrals for case management in section 245.467, subdivision 4.

(b) Adult rehabilitative mental health services are provided for most recipients in the recipient's home and community. Services may also be provided at the home of a relative or significant other, job site, psychosocial clubhouse, drop-in center, social setting, classroom, or other places in the community. Except for "transition to community services," the place of service does not include a regional treatment center, nursing home, residential treatment facility licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0500 to 9520.0670 (Rule 36), or an acute care hospital.

(c) Adult rehabilitative mental health services may be provided in group settings if appropriate to each participating recipient's needs and treatment plan. A group is defined as two to ten clients, at least one of whom is a recipient, who is concurrently receiving a service which is identified in this section. The service and group must be specified in the recipient's treatment plan. No more than two qualified staff may bill Medicaid for services provided to the same group of recipients. If two adult rehabilitative mental health workers bill for recipients in the same group session, they must each bill for different recipients.

Subd. 13. Excluded services. The following services are excluded from reimbursement as adult rehabilitative mental health services:

(1) recipient transportation services;

(2) a service provided and billed by a provider who is not enrolled to provide adult rehabilitative mental health service;

(3) adult rehabilitative mental health services performed by volunteers;

(4) provider performance of household tasks, chores, or related activities, such as laundering clothes, moving the recipient's household, housekeeping, and grocery shopping for the recipient;

(5) direct billing of time spent "on call" when not delivering services to recipients;

(6) activities which are primarily social or recreational in nature, rather than rehabilitative, for the individual recipient, as determined by the individual's needs and treatment plan;

(7) job-specific skills services, such as on-the-job training;

(8) provider service time included in case management reimbursement;

(9) outreach services to potential recipients;

(10) a mental health service that is not medically necessary; and

(11) any services provided by a hospital, board and lodging, or residential facility to an individual who is a patient in or resident of that facility.

Subd. 14. Billing when services are provided by qualified state staff. When rehabilitative services are provided by qualified state staff who are assigned to pilot projects under section 245.4661, the county or other local entity to which the qualified state staff are assigned may consider these staff part of the local provider entity for which certification is sought under this section and may bill the medical assistance program for qualifying services provided by the qualified state staff. Notwithstanding section 256.025, subdivision 2, payments for services provided by state staff who are assigned to adult mental health initiatives shall only be made from federal funds.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 9 s 39

256B.0624 Covered service: adult mental health crisis response services.

Subdivision 1. Scope. Medical assistance covers adult mental health crisis response services as defined in subdivision 2, paragraphs (c) to (e), subject to federal approval, if provided to a recipient as defined in subdivision 3 and provided by a qualified provider entity as defined in this section and by a qualified individual provider working within the provider's scope of practice and as defined in this subdivision and identified in the recipient's individual crisis treatment plan as defined in subdivision 11 and if determined to be medically necessary.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(a) "Mental health crisis" is an adult behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric situation which, but for the provision of crisis response services, would likely result in significantly reduced levels of functioning in primary activities of daily living, or in an emergency situation, or in the placement of the recipient in a more restrictive setting, including, but not limited to, inpatient hospitalization.

(b) "Mental health emergency" is an adult behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric situation which causes an immediate need for mental health services and is consistent with section 62Q.55.

A mental health crisis or emergency is determined for medical assistance service reimbursement by a physician, a mental health professional, or crisis mental health practitioner with input from the recipient whenever possible.

(c) "Mental health crisis assessment" means an immediate face-to-face assessment by a physician, a mental health professional, or mental health practitioner under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional, following a screening that suggests that the adult may be experiencing a mental health crisis or mental health emergency situation.

(d) "Mental health mobile crisis intervention services" means face-to-face, short-term intensive mental health services initiated during a mental health crisis or mental health emergency to help the recipient cope with immediate stressors, identify and utilize available resources and strengths, and begin to return to the recipient's baseline level of functioning.

(1) This service is provided on-site by a mobile crisis intervention team outside of an inpatient hospital setting. Mental health mobile crisis intervention services must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

(2) The initial screening must consider other available services to determine which service intervention would best address the recipient's needs and circumstances.

(3) The mobile crisis intervention team must be available to meet promptly face-to-face with a person in mental health crisis or emergency in a community setting.

(4) The intervention must consist of a mental health crisis assessment and a crisis treatment plan.

(5) The treatment plan must include recommendations for any needed crisis stabilization services for the recipient.

(e) "Mental health crisis stabilization services" means individualized mental health services provided to a recipient following crisis intervention services which are designed to restore the recipient to the recipient's prior functional level. Mental health crisis stabilization services may be provided in the recipient's home, the home of a family member or friend of the recipient, another community setting, or a short-term supervised, licensed residential program. Mental health crisis stabilization does not include partial hospitalization or day treatment.

Subd. 3. Eligibility. An eligible recipient is an individual who:

(1) is age 18 or older;

(2) is screened as possibly experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency where a mental health crisis assessment is needed; and

(3) is assessed as experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, and mental health crisis intervention or crisis intervention and stabilization services are determined to be medically necessary.

Subd. 4. Provider entity standards. (a) A provider entity is an entity that meets the standards listed in paragraph (b) and:

(1) is a county board operated entity; or

(2) is a provider entity that is under contract with the county board in the county where the potential crisis or emergency is occurring. To provide services under this section, the provider entity must directly provide the services; or if services are subcontracted, the provider entity must maintain responsibility for services and billing.

(b) The adult mental health crisis response services provider entity must meet the following standards:

(1) has the capacity to recruit, hire, and manage and train mental health professionals, practitioners, and rehabilitation workers;

(2) has adequate administrative ability to ensure availability of services;

(3) is able to ensure adequate preservice and in-service training;

(4) is able to ensure that staff providing these services are skilled in the delivery of mental health crisis response services to recipients;

(5) is able to ensure that staff are capable of implementing culturally specific treatment identified in the individual treatment plan that is meaningful and appropriate as determined by the recipient's culture, beliefs, values, and language;

(6) is able to ensure enough flexibility to respond to the changing intervention and care needs of a recipient as identified by the recipient during the service partnership between the recipient and providers;

(7) is able to ensure that mental health professionals and mental health practitioners have the communication tools and procedures to communicate and consult promptly about crisis assessment and interventions as services occur;

(8) is able to coordinate these services with county emergency services and mental health crisis services;

(9) is able to ensure that mental health crisis assessment and mobile crisis intervention services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

(10) is able to ensure that services are coordinated with other mental health service providers, county mental health authorities, or federally recognized American Indian authorities and others as necessary, with the consent of the adult. Services must also be coordinated with the recipient's case manager if the adult is receiving case management services;

(11) is able to ensure that crisis intervention services are provided in a manner consistent with sections 245.461 to 245.486;

(12) is able to submit information as required by the state;

(13) maintains staff training and personnel files;

(14) is able to establish and maintain a quality assurance and evaluation plan to evaluate the outcomes of services and recipient satisfaction;

(15) is able to keep records as required by applicable laws;

(16) is able to comply with all applicable laws and statutes;

(17) is an enrolled medical assistance provider; and

(18) develops and maintains written policies and procedures regarding service provision and administration of the provider entity, including safety of staff and recipients in high-risk situations.

Subd. 5. Mobile crisis intervention staff qualifications. For provision of adult mental health mobile crisis intervention services, a mobile crisis intervention team is comprised of at least two mental health professionals as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5), or a combination of at least one mental health professional and one mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17, with the required mental health crisis training and under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional on the team. The team must have at least two people with at least one member providing on-site crisis intervention services when needed. Team members must be experienced in mental health assessment, crisis intervention techniques, and clinical decision-making under emergency conditions and have knowledge of local services and resources. The team must recommend and coordinate the team's services with appropriate local resources such as the county social services agency, mental health services, and local law enforcement when necessary.

Subd. 6. Initial screening, crisis assessment, and mobile intervention treatment planning. (a) Prior to initiating mobile crisis intervention services, a screening of the potential crisis situation must be conducted. The screening may use the resources of crisis assistance and emergency services as defined in sections 245.462, subdivision 6, and 245.469, subdivisions 1 and 2. The screening must gather information, determine whether a crisis situation exists, identify parties involved, and determine an appropriate response.

(b) If a crisis exists, a crisis assessment must be completed. A crisis assessment evaluates any immediate needs for which emergency services are needed and, as time permits, the recipient's current life situation, sources of stress, mental health problems and symptoms, strengths, cultural considerations, support network, vulnerabilities, and current functioning.

(c) If the crisis assessment determines mobile crisis intervention services are needed, the intervention services must be provided promptly. As opportunity presents during the intervention, at least two members of the mobile crisis intervention team must confer directly or by telephone about the assessment, treatment plan, and actions taken and needed. At least one of the team members must be on site providing crisis intervention services. If providing on-site crisis intervention services, a mental health practitioner must seek clinical supervision as required in subdivision 9.

(d) The mobile crisis intervention team must develop an initial, brief crisis treatment plan as soon as appropriate but no later than 24 hours after the initial face-to-face intervention. The plan must address the needs and problems noted in the crisis assessment and include measurable short-term goals, cultural considerations, and frequency and type of services to be provided to achieve the goals and reduce or eliminate the crisis. The treatment plan must be updated as needed to reflect current goals and services.

(e) The team must document which short-term goals have been met and when no further crisis intervention services are required.

(f) If the recipient's crisis is stabilized, but the recipient needs a referral to other services, the team must provide referrals to these services. If the recipient has a case manager, planning for other services must be coordinated with the case manager.

Subd. 7. Crisis stabilization services. (a) Crisis stabilization services must be provided by qualified staff of a crisis stabilization services provider entity and must meet the following standards:

(1) a crisis stabilization treatment plan must be developed which meets the criteria in subdivision 11;

(2) staff must be qualified as defined in subdivision 8; and

(3) services must be delivered according to the treatment plan and include face-to-face contact with the recipient by qualified staff for further assessment, help with referrals, updating of the crisis stabilization treatment plan, supportive counseling, skills training, and collaboration with other service providers in the community.

(b) If crisis stabilization services are provided in a supervised, licensed residential setting, the recipient must be contacted face-to-face daily by a qualified mental health practitioner or mental health professional. The program must have 24-hour-a-day residential staffing which may include staff who do not meet the qualifications in subdivision 8. The residential staff must have 24-hour-a-day immediate direct or telephone access to a qualified mental health professional or practitioner.

(c) If crisis stabilization services are provided in a supervised, licensed residential setting that serves no more than four adult residents, and no more than two are recipients of crisis stabilization services, the residential staff must include, for at least eight hours per day, at least one individual who meets the qualifications in subdivision 8.

(d) If crisis stabilization services are provided in a supervised, licensed residential setting that serves more than four adult residents, and one or more are recipients of crisis stabilization services, the residential staff must include, for 24 hours a day, at least one individual who meets the qualifications in subdivision 8. During the first 48 hours that a recipient is in the residential program, the residential program must have at least two staff working 24 hours a day. Staffing levels may be adjusted thereafter according to the needs of the recipient as specified in the crisis stabilization treatment plan.

Subd. 8. Adult crisis stabilization staff qualifications. (a) Adult mental health crisis stabilization services must be provided by qualified individual staff of a qualified provider entity. Individual provider staff must have the following qualifications:

(1) be a mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5);

(2) be a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17. The mental health practitioner must work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional; or

(3) be a mental health rehabilitation worker who meets the criteria in section 256B.0623, subdivision 5, clause (3); works under the direction of a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17, or under direction of a mental health professional; and works under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional.

(b) Mental health practitioners and mental health rehabilitation workers must have completed at least 30 hours of training in crisis intervention and stabilization during the past two years.

Subd. 9. Supervision. Mental health practitioners may provide crisis assessment and mobile crisis intervention services if the following clinical supervision requirements are met:

(1) the mental health provider entity must accept full responsibility for the services provided;

(2) the mental health professional of the provider entity, who is an employee or under contract with the provider entity, must be immediately available by phone or in person for clinical supervision;

(3) the mental health professional is consulted, in person or by phone, during the first three hours when a mental health practitioner provides on-site service;

(4) the mental health professional must:

(i) review and approve of the tentative crisis assessment and crisis treatment plan;

(ii) document the consultation; and

(iii) sign the crisis assessment and treatment plan within the next business day;

(5) if the mobile crisis intervention services continue into a second calendar day, a mental health professional must contact the recipient face-to-face on the second day to provide services and update the crisis treatment plan; and

(6) the on-site observation must be documented in the recipient's record and signed by the mental health professional.

Subd. 10. Recipient file. Providers of mobile crisis intervention or crisis stabilization services must maintain a file for each recipient containing the following information:

(1) individual crisis treatment plans signed by the recipient, mental health professional, and mental health practitioner who developed the crisis treatment plan, or if the recipient refused to sign the plan, the date and reason stated by the recipient as to why the recipient would not sign the plan;

(2) signed release forms;

(3) recipient health information and current medications;

(4) emergency contacts for the recipient;

(5) case records which document the date of service, place of service delivery, signature of the person providing the service, and the nature, extent, and units of service. Direct or telephone contact with the recipient's family or others should be documented;

(6) required clinical supervision by mental health professionals;

(7) summary of the recipient's case reviews by staff; and

(8) any written information by the recipient that the recipient wants in the file.

Documentation in the file must comply with all requirements of the commissioner.

Subd. 11. Treatment plan. The individual crisis stabilization treatment plan must include, at a minimum:

(1) a list of problems identified in the assessment;

(2) a list of the recipient's strengths and resources;

(3) concrete, measurable short-term goals and tasks to be achieved, including time frames for achievement;

(4) specific objectives directed toward the achievement of each one of the goals;

(5) documentation of the participants involved in the service planning. The recipient, if possible, must be a participant. The recipient or the recipient's legal guardian must sign the service plan or documentation must be provided why this was not possible. A copy of the plan must be given to the recipient and the recipient's legal guardian. The plan should include services arranged, including specific providers where applicable;

(6) planned frequency and type of services initiated;

(7) a crisis response action plan if a crisis should occur;

(8) clear progress notes on outcome of goals;

(9) a written plan must be completed within 24 hours of beginning services with the recipient; and

(10) a treatment plan must be developed by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional. The mental health professional must approve and sign all treatment plans.

Subd. 12. Excluded services. The following services are excluded from reimbursement under this section:

(1) room and board services;

(2) services delivered to a recipient while admitted to an inpatient hospital;

(3) recipient transportation costs may be covered under other medical assistance provisions, but transportation services are not an adult mental health crisis response service;

(4) services provided and billed by a provider who is not enrolled under medical assistance to provide adult mental health crisis response services;

(5) services performed by volunteers;

(6) direct billing of time spent "on call" when not delivering services to a recipient;

(7) provider service time included in case management reimbursement. When a provider is eligible to provide more than one type of medical assistance service, the recipient must have a choice of provider for each service, unless otherwise provided for by law;

(8) outreach services to potential recipients; and

(9) a mental health service that is not medically necessary.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 9 s 40

256B.0625 Covered services.

Subdivision 1. Inpatient hospital services. Medical assistance covers inpatient hospital services. A second medical opinion is required prior to reimbursement for elective surgeries requiring a second opinion. The commissioner shall publish in the State Register a list of elective surgeries that require a second medical opinion prior to reimbursement, and the criteria and standards for deciding whether an elective surgery should require a second medical opinion. The list and the criteria and standards are not subject to the requirements of sections 14.001 to 14.69. The commissioner's decision whether a second medical opinion is required, made in accordance with rules governing that decision, is not subject to administrative appeal.

Subd. 2. Skilled and intermediate nursing care. Medical assistance covers skilled nursing home services and services of intermediate care facilities, including training and habilitation services, as defined in section 252.41, subdivision 3, for persons with mental retardation or related conditions who are residing in intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. Medical assistance must not be used to pay the costs of nursing care provided to a patient in a swing bed as defined in section 144.562, unless (a) the facility in which the swing bed is located is eligible as a sole community provider, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 412.92, or the facility is a public hospital owned by a governmental entity with 15 or fewer licensed acute care beds; (b) the health care financing administration approves the necessary state plan amendments; (c) the patient was screened as provided by law; (d) the patient no longer requires acute care services; and (e) no nursing home beds are available within 25 miles of the facility. Medical assistance also covers up to ten days of nursing care provided to a patient in a swing bed if: (1) the patient's physician certifies that the patient has a terminal illness or condition that is likely to result in death within 30 days and that moving the patient would not be in the best interests of the patient and patient's family; (2) no open nursing home beds are available within 25 miles of the facility; and (3) no open beds are available in any Medicare hospice program within 50 miles of the facility. The daily medical assistance payment for nursing care for the patient in the swing bed is the statewide average medical assistance skilled nursing care per diem as computed annually by the commissioner on July 1 of each year.

Subd. 3. Physicians' services. Medical assistance covers physicians' services. Rates paid for anesthesiology services provided by physicians shall be according to the formula utilized in the Medicare program and shall use a conversion factor "at percentile of calendar year set by legislature."

Subd. 3a. Gender reassignment surgery. Gender reassignment surgery and other gender reassignment medical procedures including drug therapy for gender reassignment are not covered unless the individual began receiving gender reassignment services prior to July 1, 1998.

Subd. 3b. Telemedicine consultations. Medical assistance covers telemedicine consultations. Telemedicine consultations must be made via two-way, interactive video or store-and-forward technology. Store-and-forward technology includes telemedicine consultations that do not occur in real time via synchronous transmissions, and that do not require a face-to-face encounter with the patient for all or any part of any such telemedicine consultation. The patient record must include a written opinion from the consulting physician providing the telemedicine consultation. A communication between two physicians that consists solely of a telephone conversation is not a telemedicine consultation. Coverage is limited to three telemedicine consultations per recipient per calendar week. Telemedicine consultations shall be paid at the full allowable rate.

Subd. 4. Outpatient and physician-directed clinic services. Medical assistance covers outpatient hospital or physician-directed clinic services. The physician-directed clinic staff shall include at least two physicians and all services shall be provided under the direct supervision of a physician. Hospital outpatient departments are subject to the same limitations and reimbursements as other enrolled vendors for all services, except initial triage, emergency services, and services not provided or immediately available in clinics, physicians' offices, or by other enrolled providers. "Emergency services" means those medical services required for the immediate diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions that, if not immediately diagnosed and treated, could lead to serious physical or mental disability or death or are necessary to alleviate severe pain. Neither the hospital, its employees, nor any physician or dentist, shall be liable in any action arising out of a determination not to render emergency services or care if reasonable care is exercised in determining the condition of the person, or in determining the appropriateness of the facilities, or the qualifications and availability of personnel to render these services consistent with this section.

Subd. 4a. Second medical opinion for surgery. Certain surgeries require a second medical opinion to confirm the necessity of the procedure, in order for reimbursement to be made. The commissioner shall publish in the State Register a list of surgeries that require a second medical opinion and the criteria and standards for deciding whether a surgery should require a second medical opinion. The list and the criteria and standards are not subject to the requirements of sections 14.01 to 14.69. The commissioner's decision about whether a second medical opinion is required, made according to rules governing that decision, is not subject to administrative appeal.

Subd. 5. Community mental health center services. Medical assistance covers community mental health center services provided by a community mental health center that meets the requirements in paragraphs (a) to (j).

(a) The provider is licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0750 to 9520.0870.

(b) The provider provides mental health services under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional who is licensed for independent practice at the doctoral level or by a board-certified psychiatrist or a psychiatrist who is eligible for board certification. Clinical supervision has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0323, subpart 1, item F.

(c) The provider must be a private nonprofit corporation or a governmental agency and have a community board of directors as specified by section 245.66.

(d) The provider must have a sliding fee scale that meets the requirements in Minnesota Rules, part 9550.0060, and agree to serve within the limits of its capacity all individuals residing in its service delivery area.

(e) At a minimum, the provider must provide the following outpatient mental health services: diagnostic assessment; explanation of findings; family, group, and individual psychotherapy, including crisis intervention psychotherapy services, multiple family group psychotherapy, psychological testing, and medication management. In addition, the provider must provide or be capable of providing upon request of the local mental health authority day treatment services and professional home-based mental health services. The provider must have the capacity to provide such services to specialized populations such as the elderly, families with children, persons who are seriously and persistently mentally ill, and children who are seriously emotionally disturbed.

(f) The provider must be capable of providing the services specified in paragraph (e) to individuals who are diagnosed with both mental illness or emotional disturbance, and chemical dependency, and to individuals dually diagnosed with a mental illness or emotional disturbance and mental retardation or a related condition.

(g) The provider must provide 24-hour emergency care services or demonstrate the capacity to assist recipients in need of such services to access such services on a 24-hour basis.

(h) The provider must have a contract with the local mental health authority to provide one or more of the services specified in paragraph (e).

(i) The provider must agree, upon request of the local mental health authority, to enter into a contract with the county to provide mental health services not reimbursable under the medical assistance program.

(j) The provider may not be enrolled with the medical assistance program as both a hospital and a community mental health center. The community mental health center's administrative, organizational, and financial structure must be separate and distinct from that of the hospital.

Subd. 5a. Intensive early intervention behavior therapy services for children with autism spectrum disorders. (a) Coverage. Medical assistance covers home-based intensive early intervention behavior therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders. Children with autism spectrum disorder, and their custodial parents or foster parents, may access other covered services to treat autism spectrum disorder, and are not required to receive intensive early intervention behavior therapy services under this subdivision. Intensive early intervention behavior therapy does not include coverage for services to treat developmental disorders of language, early onset psychosis, Rett's disorder, selective mutism, social anxiety disorder, stereotypic movement disorder, dementia, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizoid personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, or reactive attachment disorder. If a child with autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed to have one or more of these conditions, intensive early intervention behavior therapy includes coverage only for services necessary to treat the autism spectrum disorder.

(b) Purpose of intensive early intervention behavior therapy services (IEIBTS). The purpose of IEIBTS is to improve the child's behavioral functioning, to prevent development of challenging behaviors, to eliminate autistic behaviors, to reduce the risk of out-of-home placement, and to establish independent typical functioning in language and social behavior. The procedures used to accomplish these goals are based upon research in applied behavior analysis.

(c) Eligible children. A child is eligible to initiate IEIBTS if, the child meets the additional eligibility criteria in paragraph (d) and in a diagnostic assessment by a mental health professional who is not under the employ of the service provider, the child:

(1) is found to have an autism spectrum disorder;

(2) has a current IQ of either untestable, or at least 30;

(3) if nonverbal, initiated behavior therapy by 42 months of age;

(4) if verbal, initiated behavior therapy by 48 months of age; or

(5) if having an IQ of at least 50, initiated behavior therapy by 84 months of age.

To continue after six-month individualized treatment plan (ITP) reviews, at least one of the child's custodial parents or foster parents must participate in an average of at least five hours of documented behavior therapy per week for six months, and consistently implement behavior therapy recommendations 24 hours a day. To continue after six-month individualized treatment plan (ITP) reviews, the child must show documented progress toward mastery of six-month benchmark behavior objectives. The maximum number of months during which services may be billed is 54, or up to the month of August in the first year in which the child completes first grade, whichever comes last. If significant progress towards treatment goals has not been achieved after 24 months of treatment, treatment must be discontinued.

(d) Additional eligibility criteria. A child is eligible to initiate IEIBTS if:

(1) in medical and diagnostic assessments by medical and mental health professionals, it is determined that the child does not have severe or profound mental retardation;

(2) an accurate assessment of the child's hearing has been performed, including audiometry if the brain stem auditory evokes response;

(3) a blood lead test has been performed prior to initiation of treatment; and

(4) an EEG or neurologic evaluation is done, prior to initiation of treatment, if the child has a history of staring spells or developmental regression.

(e) Covered services. The focus of IEIBTS must be to treat the principal diagnostic features of the autism spectrum disorder. All IEIBTS must be delivered by a team of practitioners under the consistent supervision of a single clinical supervisor. A mental health professional must develop the ITP for IEIBTS. The ITP must include six-month benchmark behavior objectives. All behavior therapy must be based upon research in applied behavior analysis, with an emphasis upon positive reinforcement of carefully task-analyzed skills for optimum rates of progress. All behavior therapy must be consistently applied and generalized throughout the 24-hour day and seven-day week by all of the child's regular care providers. When placing the child in school activities, a majority of the peers must have no mental health diagnosis, and the child must have sufficient social skills to succeed with 80 percent of the school activities. Reactive consequences, such as redirection, correction, positive practice, or time-out, must be used only when necessary to improve the child's success when proactive procedures alone have not been effective. IEIBTS must be delivered by a team of behavior therapy practitioners who are employed under the direction of the same agency. The team may deliver up to 200 billable hours per year of direct clinical supervisor services, up to 700 billable hours per year of senior behavior therapist services, and up to 1,800 billable hours per year of direct behavior therapist services. A one-hour clinical review meeting for the child, parents, and staff must be scheduled 50 weeks a year, at which behavior therapy is reviewed and planned. At least one-quarter of the annual clinical supervisor billable hours shall consist of on-site clinical meeting time. At least one-half of the annual senior behavior therapist billable hours shall consist of direct services to the child or parents. All of the behavioral therapist billable hours shall consist of direct on-site services to the child or parents. None of the senior behavior therapist billable hours or behavior therapist billable hours shall consist of clinical meeting time. If there is any regression of the autistic spectrum disorder after 12 months of therapy, a neurologic consultation must be performed.

(f) Provider qualifications. The provider agency must be capable of delivering consistent applied behavior analysis (ABA) based behavior therapy in the home. The site director of the agency must be a mental health professional and a board certified behavior analyst certified by the behavior analyst certification board. Each clinical supervisor must be a certified associate behavior analyst certified by the behavior analyst certification board or have equivalent experience in applied behavior analysis.

(g) Supervision requirements. (1) Each behavior therapist practitioner must be continuously supervised while in the home until the practitioner has mastered competencies for independent practice. Each behavior therapist must have mastered three credits of academic content and practice in an applied behavior analysis sequence at an accredited university before providing more than 12 months of therapy. A college degree or minimum hours of experience are not required. Each behavior therapist must continue training through weekly direct observation by the senior behavior therapist, through demonstrated performance in clinical meetings with the clinical supervisor, and annual training in applied behavior analysis.

(2) Each senior behavior therapist practitioner must have mastered the senior behavior therapy competencies, completed one year of practice as a behavior therapist, and six months of co-therapy training with another senior behavior therapist or have an equivalent amount of experience in applied behavior analysis. Each senior behavior therapist must have mastered 12 credits of academic content and practice in an applied behavior analysis sequence at an accredited university before providing more than 12 months of senior behavior therapy. Each senior behavior therapist must continue training through demonstrated performance in clinical meetings with the clinical supervisor, and annual training in applied behavior analysis.

(3) Each clinical supervisor practitioner must have mastered the clinical supervisor and family consultation competencies, completed two years of practice as a senior behavior therapist and one year of co-therapy training with another clinical supervisor, or equivalent experience in applied behavior analysis. Each clinical supervisor must continue training through annual training in applied behavior analysis.

(h) Place of service. IEIBTS are provided primarily in the child's home and community. Services may be provided in the child's natural school or preschool classroom, home of a relative, natural recreational setting, or day care.

(i) Prior authorization requirements. Prior authorization shall be required for services provided after 200 hours of clinical supervisor, 700 hours of senior behavior therapist, or 1,800 hours of behavior therapist services per year.

(j) Payment rates. The following payment rates apply:

(1) for an IEIBTS clinical supervisor practitioner under supervision of a mental health professional, the lower of the submitted charge or $67 per hour unit;

(2) for an IEIBTS senior behavior therapist practitioner under supervision of a mental health professional, the lower of the submitted charge or $37 per hour unit; or

(3) for an IEIBTS behavior therapist practitioner under supervision of a mental health professional, the lower of the submitted charge or $27 per hour unit.

An IEIBTS practitioner may receive payment for travel time which exceeds 50 minutes one-way. The maximum payment allowed will be $0.51 per minute for up to a maximum of 300 hours per year.

For any week during which the above charges are made to medical assistance, payments for the following services are excluded: supervising mental health professional hours and personal care attendant, home-based mental health, family-community support, or mental health behavioral aide hours.

(k) Report. The commissioner shall collect evidence of the effectiveness of intensive early intervention behavior therapy services and present a report to the legislature by July 1, 2006.

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1991 c 292 art 7 s 26

Subd. 6a. Home health services. Home health services are those services specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0290. Medical assistance covers home health services at a recipient's home residence. Medical assistance does not cover home health services for residents of a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility, unless the commissioner of human services has prior authorized skilled nurse visits for less than 90 days for a resident at an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation, to prevent an admission to a hospital or nursing facility or unless a resident who is otherwise eligible is on leave from the facility and the facility either pays for the home health services or forgoes the facility per diem for the leave days that home health services are used. Home health services must be provided by a Medicare certified home health agency. All nursing and home health aide services must be provided according to section 256B.0627.

Subd. 7. Private duty nursing. Medical assistance covers private duty nursing services in a recipient's home. Recipients who are authorized to receive private duty nursing services in their home may use approved hours outside of the home during hours when normal life activities take them outside of their home. To use private duty nursing services at school, the recipient or responsible party must provide written authorization in the care plan identifying the chosen provider and the daily amount of services to be used at school. Medical assistance does not cover private duty nursing services for residents of a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or a health care facility licensed by the commissioner of health, except as authorized in section 256B.64 for ventilator-dependent recipients in hospitals or unless a resident who is otherwise eligible is on leave from the facility and the facility either pays for the private duty nursing services or forgoes the facility per diem for the leave days that private duty nursing services are used. Total hours of service and payment allowed for services outside the home cannot exceed that which is otherwise allowed in an in-home setting according to section 256B.0627. All private duty nursing services must be provided according to the limits established under section 256B.0627. Private duty nursing services may not be reimbursed if the nurse is the foster care provider of a recipient who is under age 18.

Subd. 8. Physical therapy. Medical assistance covers physical therapy and related services, including specialized maintenance therapy. Services provided by a physical therapy assistant shall be reimbursed at the same rate as services performed by a physical therapist when the services of the physical therapy assistant are provided under the direction of a physical therapist who is on the premises. Services provided by a physical therapy assistant that are provided under the direction of a physical therapist who is not on the premises shall be reimbursed at 65 percent of the physical therapist rate.

Subd. 8a. Occupational therapy. Medical assistance covers occupational therapy and related services, including specialized maintenance therapy. Services provided by an occupational therapy assistant shall be reimbursed at the same rate as services performed by an occupational therapist when the services of the occupational therapy assistant are provided under the direction of the occupational therapist who is on the premises. Services provided by an occupational therapy assistant that are provided under the direction of an occupational therapist who is not on the premises shall be reimbursed at 65 percent of the occupational therapist rate.

Subd. 8b. Speech language pathology and audiology services. Medical assistance covers speech language pathology and related services, including specialized maintenance therapy. Medical assistance covers audiology services and related services. Services provided by a person who has been issued a temporary registration under section 148.5161 shall be reimbursed at the same rate as services performed by a speech language pathologist or audiologist as long as the requirements of section 148.5161, subdivision 3, are met.

Subd. 8c. Care management; rehabilitation services. (a) Effective July 1, 1999, one-time thresholds shall replace annual thresholds for provision of rehabilitation services described in subdivisions 8, 8a, and 8b. The one-time thresholds will be the same in amount and description as the thresholds prescribed by the department of human services health care programs provider manual for calendar year 1997, except they will not be renewed annually, and they will include sensory skills and cognitive training skills.

(b) A care management approach for authorization of services beyond the threshold shall be instituted in conjunction with the one-time thresholds. The care management approach shall require the provider and the department rehabilitation reviewer to work together directly through written communication, or telephone communication when appropriate, to establish a medically necessary care management plan. Authorization for rehabilitation services shall include approval for up to 12 months of services at a time without additional documentation from the provider during the extended period, when the rehabilitation services are medically necessary due to an ongoing health condition.

(c) The commissioner shall implement an expedited five-day turnaround time to review authorization requests for recipients who need emergency rehabilitation services and who have exhausted their one-time threshold limit for those services.

Subd. 9. Dental services. Medical assistance covers dental services. Dental services include, with prior authorization, fixed bridges that are cost-effective for persons who cannot use removable dentures because of their medical condition.

Subd. 10. Laboratory and x-ray services. Medical assistance covers laboratory and x-ray services.

Subd. 11. Nurse anesthetist services. Medical assistance covers nurse anesthetist services. Rates paid for anesthesiology services provided by certified registered nurse anesthetists shall be according to the formula utilized in the Medicare program and shall use the conversion factor that is used by the Medicare program.

Subd. 12. Eyeglasses, dentures, and prosthetic devices. Medical assistance covers eyeglasses, dentures, and prosthetic devices if prescribed by a licensed practitioner.

Subd. 13. Drugs. (a) Medical assistance covers drugs, except for fertility drugs when specifically used to enhance fertility, if prescribed by a licensed practitioner and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist, by a physician enrolled in the medical assistance program as a dispensing physician, or by a physician or a nurse practitioner employed by or under contract with a community health board as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 5, for the purposes of communicable disease control. The commissioner, after receiving recommendations from professional medical associations and professional pharmacist associations, shall designate a formulary committee to advise the commissioner on the names of drugs for which payment is made, recommend a system for reimbursing providers on a set fee or charge basis rather than the present system, and develop methods encouraging use of generic drugs when they are less expensive and equally effective as trademark drugs. The formulary committee shall consist of nine members, four of whom shall be physicians who are not employed by the department of human services, and a majority of whose practice is for persons paying privately or through health insurance, three of whom shall be pharmacists who are not employed by the department of human services, and a majority of whose practice is for persons paying privately or through health insurance, a consumer representative, and a nursing home representative. Committee members shall serve three-year terms and shall serve without compensation. Members may be reappointed once.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a drug formulary. Its establishment and publication shall not be subject to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, but the formulary committee shall review and comment on the formulary contents. The formulary committee shall review and recommend drugs which require prior authorization. The formulary committee may recommend drugs for prior authorization directly to the commissioner, as long as opportunity for public input is provided. Prior authorization may be requested by the commissioner based on medical and clinical criteria before certain drugs are eligible for payment. Before a drug may be considered for prior authorization at the request of the commissioner:

(1) the drug formulary committee must develop criteria to be used for identifying drugs; the development of these criteria is not subject to the requirements of chapter 14, but the formulary committee shall provide opportunity for public input in developing criteria;

(2) the drug formulary committee must hold a public forum and receive public comment for an additional 15 days; and

(3) the commissioner must provide information to the formulary committee on the impact that placing the drug on prior authorization will have on the quality of patient care and information regarding whether the drug is subject to clinical abuse or misuse. Prior authorization may be required by the commissioner before certain formulary drugs are eligible for payment. The formulary shall not include:

(i) drugs or products for which there is no federal funding;

(ii) over-the-counter drugs, except for antacids, acetaminophen, family planning products, aspirin, insulin, products for the treatment of lice, vitamins for adults with documented vitamin deficiencies, vitamins for children under the age of seven and pregnant or nursing women, and any other over-the-counter drug identified by the commissioner, in consultation with the drug formulary committee, as necessary, appropriate, and cost-effective for the treatment of certain specified chronic diseases, conditions or disorders, and this determination shall not be subject to the requirements of chapter 14;

(iii) anorectics, except that medically necessary anorectics shall be covered for a recipient previously diagnosed as having pickwickian syndrome and currently diagnosed as having diabetes and being morbidly obese;

(iv) drugs for which medical value has not been established; and

(v) drugs from manufacturers who have not signed a rebate agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 1927 of title XIX of the Social Security Act.

The commissioner shall publish conditions for prohibiting payment for specific drugs after considering the formulary committee's recommendations. An honorarium of $100 per meeting and reimbursement for mileage shall be paid to each committee member in attendance.

(c) The basis for determining the amount of payment shall be the lower of the actual acquisition costs of the drugs plus a fixed dispensing fee; the maximum allowable cost set by the federal government or by the commissioner plus the fixed dispensing fee; or the usual and customary price charged to the public. The pharmacy dispensing fee shall be $3.65, except that the dispensing fee for intravenous solutions which must be compounded by the pharmacist shall be $8 per bag, $14 per bag for cancer chemotherapy products, and $30 per bag for total parenteral nutritional products dispensed in one liter quantities, or $44 per bag for total parenteral nutritional products dispensed in quantities greater than one liter. Actual acquisition cost includes quantity and other special discounts except time and cash discounts. The actual acquisition cost of a drug shall be estimated by the commissioner, at average wholesale price minus nine percent, except that where a drug has had its wholesale price reduced as a result of the actions of the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, the estimated actual acquisition cost shall be the reduced average wholesale price, without the nine percent deduction. The maximum allowable cost of a multisource drug may be set by the commissioner and it shall be comparable to, but no higher than, the maximum amount paid by other third-party payors in this state who have maximum allowable cost programs. The commissioner shall set maximum allowable costs for multisource drugs that are not on the federal upper limit list as described in United States Code, title 42, chapter 7, section 1396r-8(e), the Social Security Act, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 447, section 447.332. Establishment of the amount of payment for drugs shall not be subject to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. An additional dispensing fee of $.30 may be added to the dispensing fee paid to pharmacists for legend drug prescriptions dispensed to residents of long-term care facilities when a unit dose blister card system, approved by the department, is used. Under this type of dispensing system, the pharmacist must dispense a 30-day supply of drug. The National Drug Code (NDC) from the drug container used to fill the blister card must be identified on the claim to the department. The unit dose blister card containing the drug must meet the packaging standards set forth in Minnesota Rules, part 6800.2700, that govern the return of unused drugs to the pharmacy for reuse. The pharmacy provider will be required to credit the department for the actual acquisition cost of all unused drugs that are eligible for reuse. Over-the-counter medications must be dispensed in the manufacturer's unopened package. The commissioner may permit the drug clozapine to be dispensed in a quantity that is less than a 30-day supply. Whenever a generically equivalent product is available, payment shall be on the basis of the actual acquisition cost of the generic drug, unless the prescriber specifically indicates "dispense as written - brand necessary" on the prescription as required by section 151.21, subdivision 2.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "multisource drugs" means covered outpatient drugs, excluding innovator multisource drugs for which there are two or more drug products, which:

(1) are related as therapeutically equivalent under the Food and Drug Administration's most recent publication of "Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations";

(2) are pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent as determined by the Food and Drug Administration; and

(3) are sold or marketed in Minnesota.

"Innovator multisource drug" means a multisource drug that was originally marketed under an original new drug application approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

(e) The basis for determining the amount of payment for drugs administered in an outpatient setting shall be the lower of the usual and customary cost submitted by the provider; the average wholesale price minus five percent; or the maximum allowable cost set by the federal government under United States Code, title 42, chapter 7, section 1396r-8(e), and Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 447.332, or by the commissioner under paragraph (c).

Subd. 13a. Drug utilization review board. A nine-member drug utilization review board is established. The board is comprised of at least three but no more than four licensed physicians actively engaged in the practice of medicine in Minnesota; at least three licensed pharmacists actively engaged in the practice of pharmacy in Minnesota; and one consumer representative; the remainder to be made up of health care professionals who are licensed in their field and have recognized knowledge in the clinically appropriate prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring of covered outpatient drugs. The board shall be staffed by an employee of the department who shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member of the board. The members of the board shall be appointed by the commissioner and shall serve three-year terms. The members shall be selected from lists submitted by professional associations. The commissioner shall appoint the initial members of the board for terms expiring as follows: three members for terms expiring June 30, 1996; three members for terms expiring June 30, 1997; and three members for terms expiring June 30, 1998. Members may be reappointed once. The board shall annually elect a chair from among the members.

The commissioner shall, with the advice of the board:

(1) implement a medical assistance retrospective and prospective drug utilization review program as required by United States Code, title 42, section 1396r-8(g)(3);

(2) develop and implement the predetermined criteria and practice parameters for appropriate prescribing to be used in retrospective and prospective drug utilization review;

(3) develop, select, implement, and assess interventions for physicians, pharmacists, and patients that are educational and not punitive in nature;

(4) establish a grievance and appeals process for physicians and pharmacists under this section;

(5) publish and disseminate educational information to physicians and pharmacists regarding the board and the review program;

(6) adopt and implement procedures designed to ensure the confidentiality of any information collected, stored, retrieved, assessed, or analyzed by the board, staff to the board, or contractors to the review program that identifies individual physicians, pharmacists, or recipients;

(7) establish and implement an ongoing process to (i) receive public comment regarding drug utilization review criteria and standards, and (ii) consider the comments along with other scientific and clinical information in order to revise criteria and standards on a timely basis; and

(8) adopt any rules necessary to carry out this section.

The board may establish advisory committees. The commissioner may contract with appropriate organizations to assist the board in carrying out the board's duties. The commissioner may enter into contracts for services to develop and implement a retrospective and prospective review program.

The board shall report to the commissioner annually on the date the Drug Utilization Review Annual Report is due to the Health Care Financing Administration. This report is to cover the preceding federal fiscal year. The commissioner shall make the report available to the public upon request. The report must include information on the activities of the board and the program; the effectiveness of implemented interventions; administrative costs; and any fiscal impact resulting from the program. An honorarium of $100 per meeting and reimbursement for mileage shall be paid to each board member in attendance.

Subd. 13b. Repealed, 1997 c 203 art 4 s 73

Subd. 14. Diagnostic, screening, and preventive services. (a) Medical assistance covers diagnostic, screening, and preventive services.

(b) "Preventive services" include services related to pregnancy, including:

(1) services for those conditions which may complicate a pregnancy and which may be available to a pregnant woman determined to be at risk of poor pregnancy outcome;

(2) prenatal HIV risk assessment, education, counseling, and testing; and

(3) alcohol abuse assessment, education, and counseling on the effects of alcohol usage while pregnant. Preventive services available to a woman at risk of poor pregnancy outcome may differ in an amount, duration, or scope from those available to other individuals eligible for medical assistance.

(c) "Screening services" include, but are not limited to, blood lead tests.

Subd. 15. Health plan premiums and copayments. (a) Medical assistance covers health care prepayment plan premiums, insurance premiums, and copayments if determined to be cost-effective by the commissioner. For purposes of obtaining Medicare part A and part B, and copayments, expenditures may be made even if federal funding is not available.

(b) Effective for all premiums due on or after June 30, 1997, medical assistance does not cover premiums that a recipient is required to pay under a qualified or Medicare supplement plan issued by the Minnesota comprehensive health association. Medical assistance shall continue to cover premiums for recipients who are covered under a plan issued by the Minnesota comprehensive health association on June 30, 1997, for a period of six months following receipt of the notice of termination or until December 31, 1997, whichever is later.

Subd. 16. Abortion services. Medical assistance covers abortion services, but only if one of the following conditions is met:

(a) The abortion is a medical necessity. "Medical necessity" means (1) the signed written statement of two physicians indicating the abortion is medically necessary to prevent the death of the mother, and (2) the patient has given her consent to the abortion in writing unless the patient is physically or legally incapable of providing informed consent to the procedure, in which case consent will be given as otherwise provided by law;

(b) The pregnancy is the result of criminal sexual conduct as defined in section 609.342, clauses (c), (d), (e)(i), and (f), and the incident is reported within 48 hours after the incident occurs to a valid law enforcement agency for investigation, unless the victim is physically unable to report the criminal sexual conduct, in which case the report shall be made within 48 hours after the victim becomes physically able to report the criminal sexual conduct; or

(c) The pregnancy is the result of incest, but only if the incident and relative are reported to a valid law enforcement agency for investigation prior to the abortion.

Subd. 17. Transportation costs. (a) Medical assistance covers transportation costs incurred solely for obtaining emergency medical care or transportation costs incurred by nonambulatory persons in obtaining emergency or nonemergency medical care when paid directly to an ambulance company, common carrier, or other recognized providers of transportation services. For the purpose of this subdivision, a person who is incapable of transport by taxicab or bus shall be considered to be nonambulatory.

(b) Medical assistance covers special transportation, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0315, subpart 1, item F, if the provider receives and maintains a current physician's order by the recipient's attending physician certifying that the recipient has a physical or mental impairment that would prohibit the recipient from safely accessing and using a bus, taxi, other commercial transportation, or private automobile. Special transportation includes driver-assisted service to eligible individuals. Driver-assisted service includes passenger pickup at and return to the individual's residence or place of business, assistance with admittance of the individual to the medical facility, and assistance in passenger securement or in securing of wheelchairs or stretchers in the vehicle. The commissioner shall establish maximum medical assistance reimbursement rates for special transportation services for persons who need a wheelchair-accessible van or stretcher-accessible vehicle and for those who do not need a wheelchair-accessible van or stretcher-accessible vehicle. The average of these two rates per trip must not exceed $15 for the base rate and $1.40 per mile. Special transportation provided to nonambulatory persons who do not need a wheelchair-accessible van or stretcher-accessible vehicle, may be reimbursed at a lower rate than special transportation provided to persons who need a wheelchair-accessible van or stretcher-accessible vehicle.

Subd. 17a. Payment for ambulance services. Effective for services rendered on or after July 1, 2001, medical assistance payments for ambulance services shall be paid at the Medicare reimbursement rate or at the medical assistance payment rate in effect on July 1, 2000, whichever is greater.

Subd. 18. Bus or taxicab transportation. To the extent authorized by rule of the state agency, medical assistance covers costs of the most appropriate and cost-effective form of transportation incurred by any ambulatory eligible person for obtaining nonemergency medical care.

Subd. 18a. Access to medical services. (a) Medical assistance reimbursement for meals for persons traveling to receive medical care may not exceed $5.50 for breakfast, $6.50 for lunch, or $8 for dinner.

(b) Medical assistance reimbursement for lodging for persons traveling to receive medical care may not exceed $50 per day unless prior authorized by the local agency.

(c) Medical assistance direct mileage reimbursement to the eligible person or the eligible person's driver may not exceed 20 cents per mile.

(d) Medical assistance covers oral language interpreter services when provided by an enrolled health care provider during the course of providing a direct, person-to-person covered health care service to an enrolled recipient with limited English proficiency.

Subd. 19. Repealed, 1991 c 292 art 7 s 26

Subd. 19a. Personal care assistant services. Medical assistance covers personal care assistant services in a recipient's home. To qualify for personal care assistant services, recipients or responsible parties must be able to identify the recipient's needs, direct and evaluate task accomplishment, and provide for health and safety. Approved hours may be used outside the home when normal life activities take them outside the home. To use personal care assistant services at school, the recipient or responsible party must provide written authorization in the care plan identifying the chosen provider and the daily amount of services to be used at school. Total hours for services, whether actually performed inside or outside the recipient's home, cannot exceed that which is otherwise allowed for personal care assistant services in an in-home setting according to section 256B.0627. Medical assistance does not cover personal care assistant services for residents of a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility, health care facility licensed by the commissioner of health, or unless a resident who is otherwise eligible is on leave from the facility and the facility either pays for the personal care assistant services or forgoes the facility per diem for the leave days that personal care assistant services are used. All personal care assistant services must be provided according to section 256B.0627. Personal care assistant services may not be reimbursed if the personal care assistant is the spouse or legal guardian of the recipient or the parent of a recipient under age 18, or the responsible party or the foster care provider of a recipient who cannot direct the recipient's own care unless, in the case of a foster care provider, a county or state case manager visits the recipient as needed, but not less than every six months, to monitor the health and safety of the recipient and to ensure the goals of the care plan are met. Parents of adult recipients, adult children of the recipient or adult siblings of the recipient may be reimbursed for personal care assistant services, if they are granted a waiver under section 256B.0627. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 256B.0627, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (4), the noncorporate legal guardian or conservator of an adult, who is not the responsible party and not the personal care provider organization, may be granted a hardship waiver under section 256B.0627, to be reimbursed to provide personal care assistant services to the recipient, and shall not be considered to have a service provider interest for purposes of participation on the screening team under section 256B.092, subdivision 7.

Subd. 19b. No automatic adjustment. For fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 1993, the commissioner of human services shall not provide automatic annual inflation adjustments for home care services. The commissioner of finance shall include as a budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11 annual adjustments in reimbursement rates for home care services.

Subd. 19c. Personal care. Medical assistance covers personal care assistant services provided by an individual who is qualified to provide the services according to subdivision 19a and section 256B.0627, where the services are prescribed by a physician in accordance with a plan of treatment and are supervised by the recipient or a qualified professional. "Qualified professional" means a mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, or 245.4871, subdivision 27; or a registered nurse as defined in sections 148.171 to 148.285. As part of the assessment, the county public health nurse will assist the recipient or responsible party to identify the most appropriate person to provide supervision of the personal care assistant. The qualified professional shall perform the duties described in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0335, subpart 4.

Subd. 20. Mental health case management. (a) To the extent authorized by rule of the state agency, medical assistance covers case management services to persons with serious and persistent mental illness and children with severe emotional disturbance. Services provided under this section must meet the relevant standards in sections 245.461 to 245.4888, the Comprehensive Adult and Children's Mental Health Acts, Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0900 to 9520.0926, and 9505.0322, excluding subpart 10.

(b) Entities meeting program standards set out in rules governing family community support services as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 17, are eligible for medical assistance reimbursement for case management services for children with severe emotional disturbance when these services meet the program standards in Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0900 to 9520.0926 and 9505.0322, excluding subparts 6 and 10.

(c) Medical assistance and MinnesotaCare payment for mental health case management shall be made on a monthly basis. In order to receive payment for an eligible child, the provider must document at least a face-to-face contact with the child, the child's parents, or the child's legal representative. To receive payment for an eligible adult, the provider must document:

(1) at least a face-to-face contact with the adult or the adult's legal representative; or

(2) at least a telephone contact with the adult or the adult's legal representative and document a face-to-face contact with the adult or the adult's legal representative within the preceding two months.

(d) Payment for mental health case management provided by county or state staff shall be based on the monthly rate methodology under section 256B.094, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), with separate rates calculated for child welfare and mental health, and within mental health, separate rates for children and adults.

(e) Payment for mental health case management provided by Indian health services or by agencies operated by Indian tribes may be made according to this section or other relevant federally approved rate setting methodology.

(f) Payment for mental health case management provided by vendors who contract with a county or Indian tribe shall be based on a monthly rate negotiated by the host county or tribe. The negotiated rate must not exceed the rate charged by the vendor for the same service to other payers. If the service is provided by a team of contracted vendors, the county or tribe may negotiate a team rate with a vendor who is a member of the team. The team shall determine how to distribute the rate among its members. No reimbursement received by contracted vendors shall be returned to the county or tribe, except to reimburse the county or tribe for advance funding provided by the county or tribe to the vendor.

(g) If the service is provided by a team which includes contracted vendors, tribal staff, and county or state staff, the costs for county or state staff participation in the team shall be included in the rate for county-provided services. In this case, the contracted vendor, the tribal agency, and the county may each receive separate payment for services provided by each entity in the same month. In order to prevent duplication of services, each entity must document, in the recipient's file, the need for team case management and a description of the roles of the team members.

(h) The commissioner shall calculate the nonfederal share of actual medical assistance and general assistance medical care payments for each county, based on the higher of calendar year 1995 or 1996, by service date, project that amount forward to 1999, and transfer one-half of the result from medical assistance and general assistance medical care to each county's mental health grants under sections 245.4886 and 256E.12 for calendar year 1999. The annualized minimum amount added to each county's mental health grant shall be $3,000 per year for children and $5,000 per year for adults. The commissioner may reduce the statewide growth factor in order to fund these minimums. The annualized total amount transferred shall become part of the base for future mental health grants for each county.

(i) Any net increase in revenue to the county or tribe as a result of the change in this section must be used to provide expanded mental health services as defined in sections 245.461 to 245.4888, the Comprehensive Adult and Children's Mental Health Acts, excluding inpatient and residential treatment. For adults, increased revenue may also be used for services and consumer supports which are part of adult mental health projects approved under Laws 1997, chapter 203, article 7, section 25. For children, increased revenue may also be used for respite care and nonresidential individualized rehabilitation services as defined in section 245.492, subdivisions 17 and 23. "Increased revenue" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 9520.0903, subpart 3.

(j) Notwithstanding section 256B.19, subdivision 1, the nonfederal share of costs for mental health case management shall be provided by the recipient's county of responsibility, as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, from sources other than federal funds or funds used to match other federal funds. If the service is provided by a tribal agency, the nonfederal share, if any, shall be provided by the recipient's tribe.

(k) The commissioner may suspend, reduce, or terminate the reimbursement to a provider that does not meet the reporting or other requirements of this section. The county of responsibility, as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, or, if applicable, the tribal agency, is responsible for any federal disallowances. The county or tribe may share this responsibility with its contracted vendors.

(l) The commissioner shall set aside a portion of the federal funds earned under this section to repay the special revenue maximization account under section 256.01, subdivision 2, clause (15). The repayment is limited to:

(1) the costs of developing and implementing this section; and

(2) programming the information systems.

(m) Notwithstanding section 256.025, subdivision 2, payments to counties and tribal agencies for case management expenditures under this section shall only be made from federal earnings from services provided under this section. Payments to county-contracted vendors shall include both the federal earnings and the county share.

(n) Notwithstanding section 256B.041, county payments for the cost of mental health case management services provided by county or state staff shall not be made to the state treasurer. For the purposes of mental health case management services provided by county or state staff under this section, the centralized disbursement of payments to counties under section 256B.041 consists only of federal earnings from services provided under this section.

(o) Case management services under this subdivision do not include therapy, treatment, legal, or outreach services.

(p) If the recipient is a resident of a nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or hospital, and the recipient's institutional care is paid by medical assistance, payment for case management services under this subdivision is limited to the last 180 days of the recipient's residency in that facility and may not exceed more than six months in a calendar year.

(q) Payment for case management services under this subdivision shall not duplicate payments made under other program authorities for the same purpose.

(r) By July 1, 2000, the commissioner shall evaluate the effectiveness of the changes required by this section, including changes in number of persons receiving mental health case management, changes in hours of service per person, and changes in caseload size.

(s) For each calendar year beginning with the calendar year 2001, the annualized amount of state funds for each county determined under paragraph (h) shall be adjusted by the county's percentage change in the average number of clients per month who received case management under this section during the fiscal year that ended six months prior to the calendar year in question, in comparison to the prior fiscal year.

(t) For counties receiving the minimum allocation of $3,000 or $5,000 described in paragraph (h), the adjustment in paragraph (s) shall be determined so that the county receives the higher of the following amounts:

(1) a continuation of the minimum allocation in paragraph (h); or

(2) an amount based on that county's average number of clients per month who received case management under this section during the fiscal year that ended six months prior to the calendar year in question, times the average statewide grant per person per month for counties not receiving the minimum allocation.

(u) The adjustments in paragraphs (s) and (t) shall be calculated separately for children and adults.

Subd. 20a. Case management for persons with mental retardation or a related condition. To the extent defined in the state Medicaid plan, case management service activities for persons with mental retardation or a related condition as defined in section 256B.092, and rules promulgated thereunder, are covered services under medical assistance.

Subd. 21. Repealed, 1989 c 282 art 3 s 98

Subd. 22. Hospice care. Medical assistance covers hospice care services under Public Law Number 99-272, section 9505, to the extent authorized by rule.

Subd. 23. Day treatment services. Medical assistance covers day treatment services as specified in sections 245.462, subdivision 8, and 245.4871, subdivision 10, that are provided under contract with the county board.

Subd. 24. Other medical or remedial care. Medical assistance covers any other medical or remedial care licensed and recognized under state law unless otherwise prohibited by law, except licensed chemical dependency treatment programs or primary treatment or extended care treatment units in hospitals that are covered under chapter 254B. The commissioner shall include chemical dependency services in the state medical assistance plan for federal reporting purposes, but payment must be made under chapter 254B. The commissioner shall publish in the State Register a list of elective surgeries that require a second medical opinion before medical assistance reimbursement, and the criteria and standards for deciding whether an elective surgery should require a second medical opinion. The list and criteria and standards are not subject to the requirements of sections 14.01 to 14.69.

Subd. 25. Prior authorization required. The commissioner shall publish in the State Register a list of health services that require prior authorization, as well as the criteria and standards used to select health services on the list. The list and the criteria and standards used to formulate it are not subject to the requirements of sections 14.001 to 14.69. The commissioner's decision whether prior authorization is required for a health service is not subject to administrative appeal.

Subd. 26. Special education services. (a) Medical assistance covers medical services identified in a recipient's individualized education plan and covered under the medical assistance state plan. Covered services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, clinical psychological services, nursing services, school psychological services, school social work services, personal care assistants serving as management aides, assistive technology devices, transportation services, and other services covered under the medical assistance state plan. Mental health services eligible for medical assistance reimbursement must be provided or coordinated through a children's mental health collaborative where a collaborative exists if the child is included in the collaborative operational target population. The provision or coordination of services does not require that the individual education plan be developed by the collaborative.

The services may be provided by a Minnesota school district that is enrolled as a medical assistance provider or its subcontractor, and only if the services meet all the requirements otherwise applicable if the service had been provided by a provider other than a school district, in the following areas: medical necessity, physician's orders, documentation, personnel qualifications, and prior authorization requirements. The nonfederal share of costs for services provided under this subdivision is the responsibility of the local school district as provided in section 125A.74. Services listed in a child's individual education plan are eligible for medical assistance reimbursement only if those services meet criteria for federal financial participation under the Medicaid program.

(b) Approval of health-related services for inclusion in the individual education plan does not require prior authorization for purposes of reimbursement under this chapter. The commissioner may require physician review and approval of the plan not more than once annually or upon any modification of the individual education plan that reflects a change in health-related services.

(c) Services of a speech-language pathologist provided under this section are covered notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390, subpart 1, item L, if the person:

(1) holds a masters degree in speech-language pathology;

(2) is licensed by the Minnesota board of teaching as an educational speech-language pathologist; and

(3) either has a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association, has completed the equivalent educational requirements and work experience necessary for the certificate or has completed the academic program and is acquiring supervised work experience to qualify for the certificate.

(d) Medical assistance coverage for medically necessary services provided under other subdivisions in this section may not be denied solely on the basis that the same or similar services are covered under this subdivision.

(e) The commissioner shall develop and implement package rates, bundled rates, or per diem rates for special education services under which separately covered services are grouped together and billed as a unit in order to reduce administrative complexity.

(f) The commissioner shall develop a cost-based payment structure for payment of these services.

(g) Effective July 1, 2000, medical assistance services provided under an individual education plan or an individual family service plan by local school districts shall not count against medical assistance authorization thresholds for that child.

Subd. 27. Organ and tissue transplants. Medical assistance coverage for organ transplant procedures is limited to those procedures covered by the Medicare program; heart-lung transplants for persons with primary pulmonary hypertension and performed at Minnesota transplant centers meeting united network for organ sharing criteria to perform heart-lung transplants; lung transplants using cadaveric donors and performed at Minnesota transplant centers meeting united network for organ sharing criteria to perform lung transplants; pancreas transplants for uremic diabetic recipients of kidney transplants and performed at Minnesota facilities meeting united network for organ sharing criteria to perform pancreas transplants; and allogenic bone marrow transplants for persons with stage III or IV Hodgkin's disease. Transplant procedures must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing (1) coverage by the Medicare program, (2) federal financial participation by the Medicaid program, and (3) coverage by the Minnesota medical assistance program. Transplant centers must meet american society of hematology and clinical oncology criteria for bone marrow transplants and be located in Minnesota to receive reimbursement for bone marrow transplants.

Subd. 28. Certified nurse practitioner services. Medical assistance covers services performed by a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, a certified family nurse practitioner, a certified adult nurse practitioner, a certified obstetric/gynecological nurse practitioner, a certified neonatal nurse practitioner, or a certified geriatric nurse practitioner in independent practice, if:

(1) the service provided on an inpatient basis is not included as part of the cost for inpatient services included in the operating payment rate;

(2) the service is otherwise covered under this chapter as a physician service; and

(3) the service is within the scope of practice of the nurse practitioner's license as a registered nurse, as defined in section 148.171.

Subd. 28a. Registered physician assistant services. Medical assistance covers services performed by a registered physician assistant if the service is otherwise covered under this chapter as a physician service and if the service is within the scope of practice of a registered physician assistant as defined in section 147A.09.

Subd. 29. Public health nursing clinic services. Medical assistance covers the services of a certified public health nurse or a registered nurse practicing in a public health nursing clinic that is a department of, or that operates under the direct authority of, a unit of government, if the service is within the scope of practice of the public health or registered nurse's license as a registered nurse, as defined in section 148.171.

Subd. 30. Other clinic services. (a) Medical assistance covers rural health clinic services, federally qualified health center services, nonprofit community health clinic services, public health clinic services, and the services of a clinic meeting the criteria established in rule by the commissioner. Rural health clinic services and federally qualified health center services mean services defined in United States Code, title 42, section 1396d(a)(2)(B) and (C). Payment for rural health clinic and federally qualified health center services shall be made according to applicable federal law and regulation.

(b) A federally qualified health center that is beginning initial operation shall submit an estimate of budgeted costs and visits for the initial reporting period in the form and detail required by the commissioner. A federally qualified health center that is already in operation shall submit an initial report using actual costs and visits for the initial reporting period. Within 90 days of the end of its reporting period, a federally qualified health center shall submit, in the form and detail required by the commissioner, a report of its operations, including allowable costs actually incurred for the period and the actual number of visits for services furnished during the period, and other information required by the commissioner. Federally qualified health centers that file Medicare cost reports shall provide the commissioner with a copy of the most recent Medicare cost report filed with the Medicare program intermediary for the reporting year which support the costs claimed on their cost report to the state.

(c) In order to continue cost-based payment under the medical assistance program according to paragraphs (a) and (b), a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic must apply for designation as an essential community provider within six months of final adoption of rules by the department of health according to section 62Q.19, subdivision 7. For those federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics that have applied for essential community provider status within the six-month time prescribed, medical assistance payments will continue to be made according to paragraphs (a) and (b) for the first three years after application. For federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics that either do not apply within the time specified above or who have had essential community provider status for three years, medical assistance payments for health services provided by these entities shall be according to the same rates and conditions applicable to the same service provided by health care providers that are not federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics.

(d) Effective July 1, 1999, the provisions of paragraph (c) requiring a federally qualified health center or a rural health clinic to make application for an essential community provider designation in order to have cost-based payments made according to paragraphs (a) and (b) no longer apply.

(e) Effective January 1, 2000, payments made according to paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be limited to the cost phase-out schedule of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

(f) Effective January 1, 2001, each federally qualified health center and rural health clinic may elect to be paid either under the prospective payment system established in United States Code, title 42, section 1396a(aa), or under an alternative payment methodology consistent with the requirements of United States Code, title 42, section 1396a(aa), and approved by the Health Care Financing Administration. The alternative payment methodology shall be 100 percent of cost as determined according to Medicare cost principles.

Subd. 31. Medical supplies and equipment. Medical assistance covers medical supplies and equipment. Separate payment outside of the facility's payment rate shall be made for wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories for recipients who are residents of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded. Reimbursement for wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories for ICF/MR recipients shall be subject to the same conditions and limitations as coverage for recipients who do not reside in institutions. A wheelchair purchased outside of the facility's payment rate is the property of the recipient.

Subd. 31a. Augmentative and alternative communication systems. (a) Medical assistance covers augmentative and alternative communication systems consisting of electronic or nonelectronic devices and the related components necessary to enable a person with severe expressive communication limitations to produce or transmit messages or symbols in a manner that compensates for that disability.

(b) Until the volume of systems purchased increases to allow a discount price, the commissioner shall reimburse augmentative and alternative communication manufacturers and vendors at the manufacturer's suggested retail price for augmentative and alternative communication systems and related components. The commissioner shall separately reimburse providers for purchasing and integrating individual communication systems which are unavailable as a package from an augmentative and alternative communication vendor.

(c) Reimbursement rates established by this purchasing program are not subject to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0445, item S or T.

Subd. 32. Nutritional products. Medical assistance covers nutritional products needed for nutritional supplementation because solid food or nutrients thereof cannot be properly absorbed by the body or needed for treatment of phenylketonuria, hyperlysinemia, maple syrup urine disease, a combined allergy to human milk, cow's milk, and soy formula, or any other childhood or adult diseases, conditions, or disorders identified by the commissioner as requiring a similarly necessary nutritional product. Nutritional products needed for the treatment of a combined allergy to human milk, cow's milk, and soy formula require prior authorization. Separate payment shall not be made for nutritional products for residents of long-term care facilities. Payment for dietary requirements is a component of the per diem rate paid to these facilities.

Subd. 33. Child welfare targeted case management. Medical assistance, subject to federal approval, covers child welfare targeted case management services as defined in section 256B.094 to children under age 21 who have been assessed and determined in accordance with section 256F.095 to be:

(1) at risk of placement or in placement as defined in section 260C.212, subdivision 1;

(2) at risk of maltreatment or experiencing maltreatment as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 10e; or

(3) in need of protection or services as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 6.

Subd. 34. Indian health services facilities. Medical assistance payments and MinnesotaCare payments to facilities of the Indian health service and facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization under funding authorized by United States Code, title 25, sections 450f to 450n, or title III of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law Number 93-638, for enrollees who are eligible for federal financial participation, shall be at the option of the facility in accordance with the rate published by the United States Assistant Secretary for Health under the authority of United States Code, title 42, sections 248(a) and 249(b). General assistance medical care payments to facilities of the Indian health services and facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization for the provision of outpatient medical care services billed after June 30, 1990, must be in accordance with the general assistance medical care rates paid for the same services when provided in a facility other than a facility of the Indian health service or a facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization. MinnesotaCare payments for enrollees who are not eligible for federal financial participation at facilities of the Indian health service and facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization for the provision of outpatient medical services must be in accordance with the medical assistance rates paid for the same services when provided in a facility other than a facility of the Indian health service or a facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization.

Subd. 35. Family community support services. Medical assistance covers family community support services as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 17. In addition to the provisions of section 245.4871, and to the extent authorized by rules promulgated by the state agency, medical assistance covers the following services as family community support services:

(1) services identified in an individual treatment plan when provided by a trained mental health behavioral aide under the direction of a mental health practitioner or mental health professional;

(2) mental health crisis intervention and crisis stabilization services provided outside of hospital inpatient settings; and

(3) the therapeutic components of preschool and therapeutic camp programs.

Subd. 36. Therapeutic support of foster care. Medical assistance covers therapeutic support of foster care as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 34.

Subd. 37. Individualized rehabilitation services. Medical assistance covers individualized rehabilitation services as defined in section 245.492, subdivision 23, that are provided by a collaborative, county, or an entity under contract with a county through an integrated service system, as described in section 245.4931, that is approved by the state coordinating council, subject to federal approval.

Subd. 38. Payments for mental health services. Payments for mental health services covered under the medical assistance program that are provided by masters-prepared mental health professionals shall be 80 percent of the rate paid to doctoral-prepared professionals. Payments for mental health services covered under the medical assistance program that are provided by masters-prepared mental health professionals employed by community mental health centers shall be 100 percent of the rate paid to doctoral-prepared professionals. For purposes of reimbursement of mental health professionals under the medical assistance program, all social workers who:

(1) have received a master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the council on social work education;

(2) are licensed at the level of graduate social worker or independent social worker; and

(3) are practicing clinical social work under appropriate supervision, as defined by section 148B.18; meet all requirements under Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0323, subpart 24, and shall be paid accordingly.

Subd. 39. Childhood immunizations. Providers who administer pediatric vaccines within the scope of their licensure, and who are enrolled as a medical assistance provider, must enroll in the pediatric vaccine administration program established by section 13631 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. Medical assistance shall pay an $8.50 fee per dose for administration of the vaccine to children eligible for medical assistance. Medical assistance does not pay for vaccines that are available at no cost from the pediatric vaccine administration program.

Subd. 40. Tuberculosis related services. (a) For persons infected with tuberculosis, medical assistance covers case management services and direct observation of the intake of drugs prescribed to treat tuberculosis.

(b) "Case management services" means services furnished to assist persons infected with tuberculosis in gaining access to needed medical services. Case management services include at a minimum:

(1) assessing a person's need for medical services to treat tuberculosis;

(2) developing a care plan that addresses the needs identified in clause (1);

(3) assisting the person in accessing medical services identified in the care plan; and

(4) monitoring the person's compliance with the care plan to ensure completion of tuberculosis therapy. Medical assistance covers case management services under this subdivision only if the services are provided by a certified public health nurse who is employed by a community health board as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 5.

(c) To be covered by medical assistance, direct observation of the intake of drugs prescribed to treat tuberculosis must be provided by a community outreach worker, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse who is trained and supervised by a public health nurse employed by a community health board as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 5, or a public health nurse employed by a community health board.

Subd. 41. Residential services for children with severe emotional disturbance. Medical assistance covers rehabilitative services in accordance with section 256B.0945 that are provided by a county through a residential facility, for children who have been diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance and have been determined to require the level of care provided in a residential facility.

Subd. 42. Mental health professional. Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0175, subpart 28, the definition of a mental health professional shall include a person who is qualified as specified in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clause (5); or 245.4871, subdivision 27, clause (5), for the purpose of this section and Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475.

Subd. 43. Mental health provider travel time. Medical assistance covers provider travel time if a recipient's individual treatment plan requires the provision of mental health services outside of the provider's normal place of business. This does not include any travel time which is included in other billable services, and is only covered when the mental health service being provided to a recipient is covered under medical assistance.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 2; 1969 c 395 s 1; 1973 c 717 s 17; 1975 c 247 s 9; 1975 c 384 s 1; 1975 c 437 art 2 s 3; 1976 c 173 s 56; 1976 c 236 s 1; 1976 c 312 s 1; 1978 c 508 s 2; 1978 c 560 s 10; 1981 c 360 art 2 s 26,54; 1Sp1981 c 2 s 12; 1Sp1981 c 4 art 4 s 22; 3Sp1981 c 2 art 1 s 31; 1982 c 562 s 2; 1983 c 151 s 1,2; 1983 c 312 art 1 s 27; art 5 s 10; art 9 s 4; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 21 s 52-54; 1985 c 49 s 41; 1985 c 252 s 19,20; 1Sp1985 c 3 s 19; 1986 c 394 s 17; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 309 s 24; 1987 c 370 art 1 s 3; art 2 s 4; 1987 c 374 s 1; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 73,74; art 5 s 16; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 141,268; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 54-58; 1990 c 422 s 10; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 43-50,104; 1991 c 199 art 2 s 1; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 41-49; art 6 s 45; art 7 s 5,9-11; 1992 c 391 s 1,2; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 43-49; art 9 s 25; 1993 c 246 s 1,2; 1993 c 247 art 4 s 11; 1993 c 345 art 13 s 1; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 3 s 23; art 5 s 36-49; art 7 s 41-44; art 9 s 71; 1Sp1993 c 6 s 10; 1994 c 465 art 3 s 52; 1994 c 625 art 8 s 72; 1995 c 178 art 2 s 26; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 38-51; art 8 s 33; 1995 c 234 art 6 s 38; 1995 c 263 s 10; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 20; art 5 s 15,16; 1997 c 203 art 2 s 25; art 4 s 25,26; 1997 c 225 art 4 s 3; art 6 s 5,8; 1998 c 398 art 2 s 46; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 20-28; 1999 c 86 art 2 s 4; 1999 c 139 art 4 s 2; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 37-49,121; art 5 s 20; art 8 s 5,87; art 10 s 10; 2000 c 298 s 3; 2000 c 347 s 1; 2000 c 474 s 6,7; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 16; 2001 c 178 art 1 s 44; 2001 c 203 s 9; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 30-38; art 3 s 16-19; art 9 s 41,42

* NOTE: Subdivision 5a, as added by Laws 2001, First Special *Session chapter 9, article 2, section 31, is effective January *1, 2003. Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, article 2, *section 31, the effective date.

256B.0626 Estimation of 50th percentile of prevailing charges.

(a) The 50th percentile of the prevailing charge for the base year identified in statute must be estimated by the commissioner in the following situations:

(1) there were less than five billings in the calendar year specified in legislation governing maximum payment rates;

(2) the service was not available in the calendar year specified in legislation governing maximum payment rates;

(3) the payment amount is the result of a provider appeal;

(4) the procedure code description has changed since the calendar year specified in legislation governing maximum payment rates, and, therefore, the prevailing charge information reflects the same code but a different procedure description; or

(5) the 50th percentile reflects a payment which is grossly inequitable when compared with payment rates for procedures or services which are substantially similar.

(b) When one of the situations identified in paragraph (a) occurs, the commissioner shall use the following methodology to reconstruct a rate comparable to the 50th percentile of the prevailing rate:

(1) refer to information which exists for the first four billings in the calendar year specified in legislation governing maximum payment rates; or

(2) refer to surrounding or comparable procedure codes; or

(3) refer to the 50th percentile of years subsequent to the calendar year specified in legislation governing maximum payment rates, and reduce that amount by applying an appropriate Consumer Price Index formula; or

(4) refer to relative value indexes; or

(5) refer to reimbursement information from other third parties, such as Medicare.

HIST: 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 50; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 27

256B.0627 Covered service; home care services.

Subdivision 1. Definition. (a) "Activities of daily living" includes eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring, mobility, and positioning.

(b) "Assessment" means a review and evaluation of a recipient's need for home care services conducted in person. Assessments for private duty nursing shall be conducted by a registered private duty nurse. Assessments for home health agency services shall be conducted by a home health agency nurse. Assessments for personal care assistant services shall be conducted by the county public health nurse or a certified public health nurse under contract with the county. A face-to-face assessment must include: documentation of health status, determination of need, evaluation of service effectiveness, identification of appropriate services, service plan development or modification, coordination of services, referrals and follow-up to appropriate payers and community resources, completion of required reports, recommendation of service authorization, and consumer education. Once the need for personal care assistant services is determined under this section, the county public health nurse or certified public health nurse under contract with the county is responsible for communicating this recommendation to the commissioner and the recipient. A face-to-face assessment for personal care assistant services is conducted on those recipients who have never had a county public health nurse assessment. A face-to-face assessment must occur at least annually or when there is a significant change in the recipient's condition or when there is a change in the need for personal care assistant services. A service update may substitute for the annual face-to-face assessment when there is not a significant change in recipient condition or a change in the need for personal care assistant service. A service update or review for temporary increase includes a review of initial baseline data, evaluation of service effectiveness, redetermination of service need, modification of service plan and appropriate referrals, update of initial forms, obtaining service authorization, and on going consumer education. Assessments for medical assistance home care services for mental retardation or related conditions and alternative care services for developmentally disabled home and community-based waivered recipients may be conducted by the county public health nurse to ensure coordination and avoid duplication. Assessments must be completed on forms provided by the commissioner within 30 days of a request for home care services by a recipient or responsible party.

(c) "Care plan" means a written description of personal care assistant services developed by the qualified professional or the recipient's physician with the recipient or responsible party to be used by the personal care assistant with a copy provided to the recipient or responsible party.

(d) "Complex and regular private duty nursing care" means:

(1) complex care is private duty nursing provided to recipients who are ventilator dependent or for whom a physician has certified that were it not for private duty nursing the recipient would meet the criteria for inpatient hospital intensive care unit (ICU) level of care; and

(2) regular care is private duty nursing provided to all other recipients.

(e) "Health-related functions" means functions that can be delegated or assigned by a licensed health care professional under state law to be performed by a personal care attendant.

(f) "Home care services" means a health service, determined by the commissioner as medically necessary, that is ordered by a physician and documented in a service plan that is reviewed by the physician at least once every 60 days for the provision of home health services, or private duty nursing, or at least once every 365 days for personal care. Home care services are provided to the recipient at the recipient's residence that is a place other than a hospital or long-term care facility or as specified in section 256B.0625.

(g) "Instrumental activities of daily living" includes meal planning and preparation, managing finances, shopping for food, clothing, and other essential items, performing essential household chores, communication by telephone and other media, and getting around and participating in the community.

(h) "Medically necessary" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475.

(i) "Personal care assistant" means a person who:

(1) is at least 18 years old, except for persons 16 to 18 years of age who participated in a related school-based job training program or have completed a certified home health aide competency evaluation;

(2) is able to effectively communicate with the recipient and personal care provider organization;

(3) effective July 1, 1996, has completed one of the training requirements as specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0335, subpart 3, items A to D;

(4) has the ability to, and provides covered personal care assistant services according to the recipient's care plan, responds appropriately to recipient needs, and reports changes in the recipient's condition to the supervising qualified professional or physician;

(5) is not a consumer of personal care assistant services; and

(6) is subject to criminal background checks and procedures specified in section 245A.04.

(j) "Personal care provider organization" means an organization enrolled to provide personal care assistant services under the medical assistance program that complies with the following: (1) owners who have a five percent interest or more, and managerial officials are subject to a background study as provided in section 245A.04. This applies to currently enrolled personal care provider organizations and those agencies seeking enrollment as a personal care provider organization. An organization will be barred from enrollment if an owner or managerial official of the organization has been convicted of a crime specified in section 245A.04, or a comparable crime in another jurisdiction, unless the owner or managerial official meets the reconsideration criteria specified in section 245A.04; (2) the organization must maintain a surety bond and liability insurance throughout the duration of enrollment and provides proof thereof. The insurer must notify the department of human services of the cancellation or lapse of policy; and (3) the organization must maintain documentation of services as specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.2175, subpart 7, as well as evidence of compliance with personal care assistant training requirements.

(k) "Responsible party" means an individual residing with a recipient of personal care assistant services who is capable of providing the supportive care necessary to assist the recipient to live in the community, is at least 18 years old, and is not a personal care assistant. Responsible parties who are parents of minors or guardians of minors or incapacitated persons may delegate the responsibility to another adult during a temporary absence of at least 24 hours but not more than six months. The person delegated as a responsible party must be able to meet the definition of responsible party, except that the delegated responsible party is required to reside with the recipient only while serving as the responsible party. Foster care license holders may be designated the responsible party for residents of the foster care home if case management is provided as required in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a. For persons who, as of April 1, 1992, are sharing personal care assistant services in order to obtain the availability of 24-hour coverage, an employee of the personal care provider organization may be designated as the responsible party if case management is provided as required in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.

(l) "Service plan" means a written description of the services needed based on the assessment developed by the nurse who conducts the assessment together with the recipient or responsible party. The service plan shall include a description of the covered home care services, frequency and duration of services, and expected outcomes and goals. The recipient and the provider chosen by the recipient or responsible party must be given a copy of the completed service plan within 30 calendar days of the request for home care services by the recipient or responsible party.

(m) "Skilled nurse visits" are provided in a recipient's residence under a plan of care or service plan that specifies a level of care which the nurse is qualified to provide. These services are:

(1) nursing services according to the written plan of care or service plan and accepted standards of medical and nursing practice in accordance with chapter 148;

(2) services which due to the recipient's medical condition may only be safely and effectively provided by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse;

(3) assessments performed only by a registered nurse; and

(4) teaching and training the recipient, the recipient's family, or other caregivers requiring the skills of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

(n) "Telehomecare" means the use of telecommunications technology by a home health care professional to deliver home health care services, within the professional's scope of practice, to a patient located at a site other than the site where the practitioner is located.

Subd. 2. Services covered. Home care services covered under this section include:

(1) nursing services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a;

(2) private duty nursing services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 7;

(3) home health services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a;

(4) personal care assistant services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a;

(5) supervision of personal care assistant services provided by a qualified professional under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a;

(6) qualified professional of personal care assistant services under the fiscal intermediary option as specified in subdivision 10;

(7) face-to-face assessments by county public health nurses for services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a; and

(8) service updates and review of temporary increases for personal care assistant services by the county public health nurse for services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1991 c 292 art 7 s 26

Subd. 4. Personal care assistant services. (a) The personal care assistant services that are eligible for payment are services and supports furnished to an individual, as needed, to assist in accomplishing activities of daily living; instrumental activities of daily living; health-related functions through hands-on assistance, supervision, and cuing; and redirection and intervention for behavior including observation and monitoring.

(b) Payment for services will be made within the limits approved using the prior authorized process established in subdivision 5.

(c) The amount and type of services authorized shall be based on an assessment of the recipient's needs in these areas:

(1) bowel and bladder care;

(2) skin care to maintain the health of the skin;

(3) repetitive maintenance range of motion, muscle strengthening exercises, and other tasks specific to maintaining a recipient's optimal level of function;

(4) respiratory assistance;

(5) transfers and ambulation;

(6) bathing, grooming, and hairwashing necessary for personal hygiene;

(7) turning and positioning;

(8) assistance with furnishing medication that is self-administered;

(9) application and maintenance of prosthetics and orthotics;

(10) cleaning medical equipment;

(11) dressing or undressing;

(12) assistance with eating and meal preparation and necessary grocery shopping;

(13) accompanying a recipient to obtain medical diagnosis or treatment;

(14) assisting, monitoring, or prompting the recipient to complete the services in clauses (1) to (13);

(15) redirection, monitoring, and observation that are medically necessary and an integral part of completing the personal care assistant services described in clauses (1) to (14);

(16) redirection and intervention for behavior, including observation and monitoring;

(17) interventions for seizure disorders, including monitoring and observation if the recipient has had a seizure that requires intervention within the past three months;

(18) tracheostomy suctioning using a clean procedure if the procedure is properly delegated by a registered nurse. Before this procedure can be delegated to a personal care assistant, a registered nurse must determine that the tracheostomy suctioning can be accomplished utilizing a clean rather than a sterile procedure and must ensure that the personal care assistant has been taught the proper procedure; and

(19) incidental household services that are an integral part of a personal care service described in clauses (1) to (18).

For purposes of this subdivision, monitoring and observation means watching for outward visible signs that are likely to occur and for which there is a covered personal care service or an appropriate personal care intervention. For purposes of this subdivision, a clean procedure refers to a procedure that reduces the numbers of microorganisms or prevents or reduces the transmission of microorganisms from one person or place to another. A clean procedure may be used beginning 14 days after insertion.

(d) The personal care assistant services that are not eligible for payment are the following:

(1) services not ordered by the physician;

(2) assessments by personal care assistant provider organizations or by independently enrolled registered nurses;

(3) services that are not in the service plan;

(4) services provided by the recipient's spouse, legal guardian for an adult or child recipient, or parent of a recipient under age 18;

(5) services provided by a foster care provider of a recipient who cannot direct the recipient's own care, unless monitored by a county or state case manager under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a;

(6) services provided by the residential or program license holder in a residence for more than four persons;

(7) services that are the responsibility of a residential or program license holder under the terms of a service agreement and administrative rules;

(8) sterile procedures;

(9) injections of fluids into veins, muscles, or skin;

(10) services provided by parents of adult recipients, adult children, or siblings of the recipient, unless these relatives meet one of the following hardship criteria and the commissioner waives this requirement:

(i) the relative resigns from a part-time or full-time job to provide personal care for the recipient;

(ii) the relative goes from a full-time to a part-time job with less compensation to provide personal care for the recipient;

(iii) the relative takes a leave of absence without pay to provide personal care for the recipient;

(iv) the relative incurs substantial expenses by providing personal care for the recipient; or

(v) because of labor conditions, special language needs, or intermittent hours of care needed, the relative is needed in order to provide an adequate number of qualified personal care assistants to meet the medical needs of the recipient;

(11) homemaker services that are not an integral part of a personal care assistant services;

(12) home maintenance, or chore services;

(13) services not specified under paragraph (a); and

(14) services not authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

(e) The recipient or responsible party may choose to supervise the personal care assistant or to have a qualified professional, as defined in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19c, provide the supervision. As required under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19c, the county public health nurse, as a part of the assessment, will assist the recipient or responsible party to identify the most appropriate person to provide supervision of the personal care assistant. Health-related delegated tasks performed by the personal care assistant will be under the supervision of a qualified professional or the direction of the recipient's physician. If the recipient has a qualified professional, Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0335, subpart 4, applies.

Subd. 5. Limitation on payments. Medical assistance payments for home care services shall be limited according to this subdivision.

(a) Limits on services without prior authorization. A recipient may receive the following home care services during a calendar year:

(1) up to two face-to-face assessments to determine a recipient's need for personal care assistant services;

(2) one service update done to determine a recipient's need for personal care assistant services; and

(3) up to nine skilled nurse visits.

(b) Prior authorization; exceptions. All home care services above the limits in paragraph (a) must receive the commissioner's prior authorization, except when:

(1) the home care services were required to treat an emergency medical condition that if not immediately treated could cause a recipient serious physical or mental disability, continuation of severe pain, or death. The provider must request retroactive authorization no later than five working days after giving the initial service. The provider must be able to substantiate the emergency by documentation such as reports, notes, and admission or discharge histories;

(2) the home care services were provided on or after the date on which the recipient's eligibility began, but before the date on which the recipient was notified that the case was opened. Authorization will be considered if the request is submitted by the provider within 20 working days of the date the recipient was notified that the case was opened;

(3) a third-party payor for home care services has denied or adjusted a payment. Authorization requests must be submitted by the provider within 20 working days of the notice of denial or adjustment. A copy of the notice must be included with the request;

(4) the commissioner has determined that a county or state human services agency has made an error; or

(5) the professional nurse determines an immediate need for up to 40 skilled nursing or home health aide visits per calendar year and submits a request for authorization within 20 working days of the initial service date, and medical assistance is determined to be the appropriate payer.

(c) Retroactive authorization. A request for retroactive authorization will be evaluated according to the same criteria applied to prior authorization requests.

(d) Assessment and service plan. Assessments under section 256B.0627, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), shall be conducted initially, and at least annually thereafter, in person with the recipient and result in a completed service plan using forms specified by the commissioner. Within 30 days of recipient or responsible party request for home care services, the assessment, the service plan, and other information necessary to determine medical necessity such as diagnostic or testing information, social or medical histories, and hospital or facility discharge summaries shall be submitted to the commissioner. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 256B.0627, subdivision 12, the commissioner shall maximize federal financial participation to pay for public health nurse assessments for personal care services. For personal care assistant services:

(1) The amount and type of service authorized based upon the assessment and service plan will follow the recipient if the recipient chooses to change providers.

(2) If the recipient's medical need changes, the recipient's provider may assess the need for a change in service authorization and request the change from the county public health nurse. Within 30 days of the request, the public health nurse will determine whether to request the change in services based upon the provider assessment, or conduct a home visit to assess the need and determine whether the change is appropriate.

(3) To continue to receive personal care assistant services after the first year, the recipient or the responsible party, in conjunction with the public health nurse, may complete a service update on forms developed by the commissioner according to criteria and procedures in subdivision 1.

(e) Prior authorization. The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, shall review the assessment, service update, request for temporary services, service plan, and any additional information that is submitted. The commissioner shall, within 30 days after receiving a complete request, assessment, and service plan, authorize home care services as follows:

(1) Home health services. All home health services provided by a home health aide must be prior authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Prior authorization must be based on medical necessity and cost-effectiveness when compared with other care options. When home health services are used in combination with personal care and private duty nursing, the cost of all home care services shall be considered for cost-effectiveness. The commissioner shall limit home health aide visits to no more than one visit each per day. The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, may authorize up to two skilled nurse visits per day.

(2) Personal care assistant services. (i) All personal care assistant services and supervision by a qualified professional, if requested by the recipient, must be prior authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee except for the assessments established in paragraph (a). The amount of personal care assistant services authorized must be based on the recipient's home care rating. A child may not be found to be dependent in an activity of daily living if because of the child's age an adult would either perform the activity for the child or assist the child with the activity and the amount of assistance needed is similar to the assistance appropriate for a typical child of the same age. Based on medical necessity, the commissioner may authorize:

(A) up to two times the average number of direct care hours provided in nursing facilities for the recipient's comparable case mix level; or

(B) up to three times the average number of direct care hours provided in nursing facilities for recipients who have complex medical needs or are dependent in at least seven activities of daily living and need physical assistance with eating or have a neurological diagnosis; or

(C) up to 60 percent of the average reimbursement rate, as of July 1, 1991, for care provided in a regional treatment center for recipients who have Level I behavior, plus any inflation adjustment as provided by the legislature for personal care service; or

(D) up to the amount the commissioner would pay, as of July 1, 1991, plus any inflation adjustment provided for home care services, for care provided in a regional treatment center for recipients referred to the commissioner by a regional treatment center preadmission evaluation team. For purposes of this clause, home care services means all services provided in the home or community that would be included in the payment to a regional treatment center; or

(E) up to the amount medical assistance would reimburse for facility care for recipients referred to the commissioner by a preadmission screening team established under section 256B.0911 or 256B.092; and

(F) a reasonable amount of time for the provision of supervision by a qualified professional of personal care assistant services, if a qualified professional is requested by the recipient or responsible party.

(ii) The number of direct care hours shall be determined according to the annual cost report submitted to the department by nursing facilities. The average number of direct care hours, as established by May 1, 1992, shall be calculated and incorporated into the home care limits on July 1, 1992. These limits shall be calculated to the nearest quarter hour.

(iii) The home care rating shall be determined by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee based on information submitted to the commissioner by the county public health nurse on forms specified by the commissioner. The home care rating shall be a combination of current assessment tools developed under sections 256B.0911 and 256B.501 with an addition for seizure activity that will assess the frequency and severity of seizure activity and with adjustments, additions, and clarifications that are necessary to reflect the needs and conditions of recipients who need home care including children and adults under 65 years of age. The commissioner shall establish these forms and protocols under this section and shall use an advisory group, including representatives of recipients, providers, and counties, for consultation in establishing and revising the forms and protocols.

(iv) A recipient shall qualify as having complex medical needs if the care required is difficult to perform and because of recipient's medical condition requires more time than community-based standards allow or requires more skill than would ordinarily be required and the recipient needs or has one or more of the following:

(A) daily tube feedings;

(B) daily parenteral therapy;

(C) wound or decubiti care;

(D) postural drainage, percussion, nebulizer treatments, suctioning, tracheotomy care, oxygen, mechanical ventilation;

(E) catheterization;

(F) ostomy care;

(G) quadriplegia; or

(H) other comparable medical conditions or treatments the commissioner determines would otherwise require institutional care.

(v) A recipient shall qualify as having Level I behavior if there is reasonable supporting evidence that the recipient exhibits, or that without supervision, observation, or redirection would exhibit, one or more of the following behaviors that cause, or have the potential to cause:

(A) injury to the recipient's own body;

(B) physical injury to other people; or

(C) destruction of property.

(vi) Time authorized for personal care relating to Level I behavior in subclause (v), items (A) to (C), shall be based on the predictability, frequency, and amount of intervention required.

(vii) A recipient shall qualify as having Level II behavior if the recipient exhibits on a daily basis one or more of the following behaviors that interfere with the completion of personal care assistant services under subdivision 4, paragraph (a):

(A) unusual or repetitive habits;

(B) withdrawn behavior; or

(C) offensive behavior.

(viii) A recipient with a home care rating of Level II behavior in subclause (vii), items (A) to (C), shall be rated as comparable to a recipient with complex medical needs under subclause (iv). If a recipient has both complex medical needs and Level II behavior, the home care rating shall be the next complex category up to the maximum rating under subclause (i), item (B).

(3) Private duty nursing services. All private duty nursing services shall be prior authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Prior authorization for private duty nursing services shall be based on medical necessity and cost-effectiveness when compared with alternative care options. The commissioner may authorize medically necessary private duty nursing services in quarter-hour units when:

(i) the recipient requires more individual and continuous care than can be provided during a nurse visit; or

(ii) the cares are outside of the scope of services that can be provided by a home health aide or personal care assistant.

The commissioner may authorize:

(A) up to two times the average amount of direct care hours provided in nursing facilities statewide for case mix classification "K" as established by the annual cost report submitted to the department by nursing facilities in May 1992;

(B) private duty nursing in combination with other home care services up to the total cost allowed under clause (2);

(C) up to 16 hours per day if the recipient requires more nursing than the maximum number of direct care hours as established in item (A) and the recipient meets the hospital admission criteria established under Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0501 to 9505.0540.

The commissioner may authorize up to 16 hours per day of medically necessary private duty nursing services or up to 24 hours per day of medically necessary private duty nursing services until such time as the commissioner is able to make a determination of eligibility for recipients who are cooperatively applying for home care services under the community alternative care program developed under section 256B.49, or until it is determined by the appropriate regulatory agency that a health benefit plan is or is not required to pay for appropriate medically necessary health care services. Recipients or their representatives must cooperatively assist the commissioner in obtaining this determination. Recipients who are eligible for the community alternative care program may not receive more hours of nursing under this section than would otherwise be authorized under section 256B.49.

(4) Ventilator-dependent recipients. If the recipient is ventilator-dependent, the monthly medical assistance authorization for home care services shall not exceed what the commissioner would pay for care at the highest cost hospital designated as a long-term hospital under the Medicare program. For purposes of this clause, home care services means all services provided in the home that would be included in the payment for care at the long-term hospital. "Ventilator-dependent" means an individual who receives mechanical ventilation for life support at least six hours per day and is expected to be or has been dependent for at least 30 consecutive days.

(f) Prior authorization; time limits. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall determine the time period for which a prior authorization shall be effective. If the recipient continues to require home care services beyond the duration of the prior authorization, the home care provider must request a new prior authorization. Under no circumstances, other than the exceptions in paragraph (b), shall a prior authorization be valid prior to the date the commissioner receives the request or for more than 12 months. A recipient who appeals a reduction in previously authorized home care services may continue previously authorized services, other than temporary services under paragraph (h), pending an appeal under section 256.045. The commissioner must provide a detailed explanation of why the authorized services are reduced in amount from those requested by the home care provider.

(g) Approval of home care services. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall determine the medical necessity of home care services, the level of caregiver according to subdivision 2, and the institutional comparison according to this subdivision, the cost-effectiveness of services, and the amount, scope, and duration of home care services reimbursable by medical assistance, based on the assessment, primary payer coverage determination information as required, the service plan, the recipient's age, the cost of services, the recipient's medical condition, and diagnosis or disability. The commissioner may publish additional criteria for determining medical necessity according to section 256B.04.

(h) Prior authorization requests; temporary services. The agency nurse, the independently enrolled private duty nurse, or county public health nurse may request a temporary authorization for home care services by telephone. The commissioner may approve a temporary level of home care services based on the assessment, and service or care plan information, and primary payer coverage determination information as required. Authorization for a temporary level of home care services including nurse supervision is limited to the time specified by the commissioner, but shall not exceed 45 days, unless extended because the county public health nurse has not completed the required assessment and service plan, or the commissioner's determination has not been made. The level of services authorized under this provision shall have no bearing on a future prior authorization.

(i) Prior authorization required in foster care setting. Home care services provided in an adult or child foster care setting must receive prior authorization by the department according to the limits established in paragraph (a).

The commissioner may not authorize:

(1) home care services that are the responsibility of the foster care provider under the terms of the foster care placement agreement and administrative rules;

(2) personal care assistant services when the foster care license holder is also the personal care provider or personal care assistant unless the recipient can direct the recipient's own care, or case management is provided as required in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a;

(3) personal care assistant services when the responsible party is an employee of, or under contract with, or has any direct or indirect financial relationship with the personal care provider or personal care assistant, unless case management is provided as required in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a; or

(4) personal care assistant and private duty nursing services when the number of foster care residents is greater than four unless the county responsible for the recipient's foster placement made the placement prior to April 1, 1992, requests that personal care assistant and private duty nursing services be provided, and case management is provided as required in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.

Subd. 6. Recovery of excessive payments. The commissioner shall seek monetary recovery from providers of payments made for services which exceed the limits established in this section. This subdivision does not apply to services provided to a recipient at the previously authorized level pending an appeal under section 256.045, subdivision 10.

Subd. 7. Noncovered home care services. The following home care services are not eligible for payment under medical assistance:

(1) skilled nurse visits for the sole purpose of supervision of the home health aide;

(2) a skilled nursing visit:

(i) only for the purpose of monitoring medication compliance with an established medication program for a recipient; or

(ii) to administer or assist with medication administration, including injections, prefilling syringes for injections, or oral medication set-up of an adult recipient, when as determined and documented by the registered nurse, the need can be met by an available pharmacy or the recipient is physically and mentally able to self-administer or prefill a medication;

(3) home care services to a recipient who is eligible for covered services under the Medicare program or any other insurance held by the recipient;

(4) services to other members of the recipient's household;

(5) a visit made by a skilled nurse solely to train other home health agency workers;

(6) any home care service included in the daily rate of the community-based residential facility where the recipient is residing;

(7) nursing and rehabilitation therapy services that are reasonably accessible to a recipient outside the recipient's place of residence, excluding the assessment, counseling and education, and personal assistant care;

(8) any home health agency service, excluding personal care assistant services and private duty nursing services, which are performed in a place other than the recipient's residence; and

(9) Medicare evaluation or administrative nursing visits on dual-eligible recipients that do not qualify for Medicare visit billing.

Subd. 8. Shared personal care assistant services. (a) Medical assistance payments for shared personal care assistance services shall be limited according to this subdivision.

(b) Recipients of personal care assistant services may share staff and the commissioner shall provide a rate system for shared personal care assistant services. For two persons sharing services, the rate paid to a provider shall not exceed 1-1/2 times the rate paid for serving a single individual, and for three persons sharing services, the rate paid to a provider shall not exceed twice the rate paid for serving a single individual. These rates apply only to situations in which all recipients were present and received shared services on the date for which the service is billed. No more than three persons may receive shared services from a personal care assistant in a single setting.

(c) Shared service is the provision of personal care assistant services by a personal care assistant to two or three recipients at the same time and in the same setting. For the purposes of this subdivision, "setting" means:

(1) the home or foster care home of one of the individual recipients; or

(2) a child care program in which all recipients served by one personal care assistant are participating, which is licensed under chapter 245A or operated by a local school district or private school; or

(3) outside the home or foster care home of one of the recipients when normal life activities take the recipients outside the home.

The provisions of this subdivision do not apply when a personal care assistant is caring for multiple recipients in more than one setting.

(d) The recipient or the recipient's responsible party, in conjunction with the county public health nurse, shall determine:

(1) whether shared personal care assistant services is an appropriate option based on the individual needs and preferences of the recipient; and

(2) the amount of shared services allocated as part of the overall authorization of personal care assistant services.

The recipient or the responsible party, in conjunction with the supervising qualified professional, if a qualified professional is requested by any one of the recipients or responsible parties, shall arrange the setting and grouping of shared services based on the individual needs and preferences of the recipients. Decisions on the selection of recipients to share services must be based on the ages of the recipients, compatibility, and coordination of their care needs.

(e) The following items must be considered by the recipient or the responsible party and the supervising qualified professional, if a qualified professional has been requested by any one of the recipients or responsible parties, and documented in the recipient's health service record:

(1) the additional qualifications needed by the personal care assistant to provide care to several recipients in the same setting;

(2) the additional training and supervision needed by the personal care assistant to ensure that the needs of the recipient are met appropriately and safely. The provider must provide on-site supervision by a qualified professional within the first 14 days of shared services, and monthly thereafter, if supervision by a qualified provider has been requested by any one of the recipients or responsible parties;

(3) the setting in which the shared services will be provided;

(4) the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness and appropriateness of the service and process used to make changes in service or setting; and

(5) a contingency plan which accounts for absence of the recipient in a shared services setting due to illness or other circumstances and staffing contingencies.

(f) The provider must offer the recipient or the responsible party the option of shared or one-on-one personal care assistant services. The recipient or the responsible party can withdraw from participating in a shared services arrangement at any time.

(g) In addition to documentation requirements under Minnesota Rules, part 9505.2175, a personal care provider must meet documentation requirements for shared personal care assistant services and must document the following in the health service record for each individual recipient sharing services:

(1) permission by the recipient or the recipient's responsible party, if any, for the maximum number of shared services hours per week chosen by the recipient;

(2) permission by the recipient or the recipient's responsible party, if any, for personal care assistant services provided outside the recipient's residence;

(3) permission by the recipient or the recipient's responsible party, if any, for others to receive shared services in the recipient's residence;

(4) revocation by the recipient or the recipient's responsible party, if any, of the shared service authorization, or the shared service to be provided to others in the recipient's residence, or the shared service to be provided outside the recipient's residence;

(5) supervision of the shared personal care assistant services by the qualified professional, if a qualified professional is requested by one of the recipients or responsible parties, including the date, time of day, number of hours spent supervising the provision of shared services, whether the supervision was face-to-face or another method of supervision, changes in the recipient's condition, shared services scheduling issues and recommendations;

(6) documentation by the qualified professional, if a qualified professional is requested by one of the recipients or responsible parties, of telephone calls or other discussions with the personal care assistant regarding services being provided to the recipient who has requested the supervision; and

(7) daily documentation of the shared services provided by each identified personal care assistant including:

(i) the names of each recipient receiving shared services together;

(ii) the setting for the shared services, including the starting and ending times that the recipient received shared services; and

(iii) notes by the personal care assistant regarding changes in the recipient's condition, problems that may arise from the sharing of services, scheduling issues, care issues, and other notes as required by the qualified professional, if a qualified professional is requested by one of the recipients or responsible parties.

(h) Unless otherwise provided in this subdivision, all other statutory and regulatory provisions relating to personal care assistant services apply to shared services.

(i) In the event that supervision by a qualified professional has been requested by one or more recipients, but not by all of the recipients, the supervision duties of the qualified professional shall be limited to only those recipients who have requested the supervision.

Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to reduce the total number of hours authorized for an individual recipient.

Subd. 9. Flexible use of personal care assistant hours. (a) The commissioner may allow for the flexible use of personal care assistant hours. "Flexible use" means the scheduled use of authorized hours of personal care assistant services, which vary within the length of the service authorization in order to more effectively meet the needs and schedule of the recipient. Recipients may use their approved hours flexibly within the service authorization period for medically necessary covered services specified in the assessment required in subdivision 1. The flexible use of authorized hours does not increase the total amount of authorized hours available to a recipient as determined under subdivision 5. The commissioner shall not authorize additional personal care assistant services to supplement a service authorization that is exhausted before the end date under a flexible service use plan, unless the county public health nurse determines a change in condition and a need for increased services is established.

(b) The recipient or responsible party, together with the county public health nurse, shall determine whether flexible use is an appropriate option based on the needs and preferences of the recipient or responsible party, and, if appropriate, must ensure that the allocation of hours covers the ongoing needs of the recipient over the entire service authorization period. As part of the assessment and service planning process, the recipient or responsible party must work with the county public health nurse to develop a written month-to-month plan of the projected use of personal care assistant services that is part of the service plan and ensures that the:

(1) health and safety needs of the recipient will be met;

(2) total annual authorization will not exceed before the end date; and

(3) how actual use of hours will be monitored.

(c) If the actual use of personal care assistant service varies significantly from the use projected in the plan, the written plan must be promptly updated by the recipient or responsible party and the county public health nurse.

(d) The recipient or responsible party, together with the provider, must work to monitor and document the use of authorized hours and ensure that a recipient is able to manage services effectively throughout the authorized period. The provider must ensure that the month-to-month plan is incorporated into the care plan. Upon request of the recipient or responsible party, the provider must furnish regular updates to the recipient or responsible party on the amount of personal care assistant services used.

(e) The recipient or responsible party may revoke the authorization for flexible use of hours by notifying the provider and county public health nurse in writing.

(f) If the requirements in paragraphs (a) to (e) have not substantially been met, the commissioner shall deny, revoke, or suspend the authorization to use authorized hours flexibly. The recipient or responsible party may appeal the commissioner's action according to section 256.045. The denial, revocation, or suspension to use the flexible hours option shall not affect the recipient's authorized level of personal care assistant services as determined under subdivision 5.

Subd. 10. Fiscal intermediary option available for personal care assistant services. (a) The commissioner may allow a recipient of personal care assistant services to use a fiscal intermediary to assist the recipient in paying and accounting for medically necessary covered personal care assistant services authorized in subdivision 4 and within the payment parameters of subdivision 5. Unless otherwise provided in this subdivision, all other statutory and regulatory provisions relating to personal care assistant services apply to a recipient using the fiscal intermediary option.

(b) The recipient or responsible party shall:

(1) recruit, hire, and terminate a qualified professional, if a qualified professional is requested by the recipient or responsible party;

(2) verify and document the credentials of the qualified professional, if a qualified professional is requested by the recipient or responsible party;

(3) develop a service plan based on physician orders and public health nurse assessment with the assistance of a qualified professional, if a qualified professional is requested by the recipient or responsible party, that addresses the health and safety of the recipient;

(4) recruit, hire, and terminate the personal care assistant;

(5) orient and train the personal care assistant with assistance as needed from the qualified professional;

(6) supervise and evaluate the personal care assistant with assistance as needed from the recipient's physician or the qualified professional;

(7) monitor and verify in writing and report to the fiscal intermediary the number of hours worked by the personal care assistant and the qualified professional; and

(8) enter into a written agreement, as specified in paragraph (f).

(c) The duties of the fiscal intermediary shall be to:

(1) bill the medical assistance program for personal care assistant and qualified professional services;

(2) request and secure background checks on personal care assistants and qualified professionals according to section 245A.04;

(3) pay the personal care assistant and qualified professional based on actual hours of services provided;

(4) withhold and pay all applicable federal and state taxes;

(5) verify and keep records of hours worked by the personal care assistant and qualified professional;

(6) make the arrangements and pay unemployment insurance, taxes, workers' compensation, liability insurance, and other benefits, if any;

(7) enroll in the medical assistance program as a fiscal intermediary; and

(8) enter into a written agreement as specified in paragraph (f) before services are provided.

(d) The fiscal intermediary:

(1) may not be related to the recipient, qualified professional, or the personal care assistant;

(2) must ensure arm's length transactions with the recipient and personal care assistant; and

(3) shall be considered a joint employer of the personal care assistant and qualified professional to the extent specified in this section.

The fiscal intermediary or owners of the entity that provides fiscal intermediary services under this subdivision must pass a criminal background check as required in section 256B.0627, subdivision 1, paragraph (e).

(e) If the recipient or responsible party requests a qualified professional, the qualified professional providing assistance to the recipient shall meet the qualifications specified in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19c. The qualified professional shall assist the recipient in developing and revising a plan to meet the recipient's needs, as assessed by the public health nurse. In performing this function, the qualified professional must visit the recipient in the recipient's home at least once annually. The qualified professional must report any suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of the recipient to the appropriate authorities.

(f) The fiscal intermediary, recipient or responsible party, personal care assistant, and qualified professional shall enter into a written agreement before services are started. The agreement shall include:

(1) the duties of the recipient, qualified professional, personal care assistant, and fiscal agent based on paragraphs (a) to (e);

(2) the salary and benefits for the personal care assistant and the qualified professional;

(3) the administrative fee of the fiscal intermediary and services paid for with that fee, including background check fees;

(4) procedures to respond to billing or payment complaints; and

(5) procedures for hiring and terminating the personal care assistant and the qualified professional.

(g) The rates paid for personal care assistant services, qualified professional services, and fiscal intermediary services under this subdivision shall be the same rates paid for personal care assistant services and qualified professional services under subdivision 2 respectively. Except for the administrative fee of the fiscal intermediary specified in paragraph (f), the remainder of the rates paid to the fiscal intermediary must be used to pay for the salary and benefits for the personal care assistant or the qualified professional.

(h) As part of the assessment defined in subdivision 1, the following conditions must be met to use or continue use of a fiscal intermediary:

(1) the recipient must be able to direct the recipient's own care, or the responsible party for the recipient must be readily available to direct the care of the personal care assistant;

(2) the recipient or responsible party must be knowledgeable of the health care needs of the recipient and be able to effectively communicate those needs;

(3) a face-to-face assessment must be conducted by the local county public health nurse at least annually, or when there is a significant change in the recipient's condition or change in the need for personal care assistant services;

(4) the recipient cannot select the shared services option as specified in subdivision 8; and

(5) parties must be in compliance with the written agreement specified in paragraph (f).

(i) The commissioner shall deny, revoke, or suspend the authorization to use the fiscal intermediary option if:

(1) it has been determined by the qualified professional or local county public health nurse that the use of this option jeopardizes the recipient's health and safety;

(2) the parties have failed to comply with the written agreement specified in paragraph (f); or

(3) the use of the option has led to abusive or fraudulent billing for personal care assistant services.

The recipient or responsible party may appeal the commissioner's action according to section 256.045. The denial, revocation, or suspension to use the fiscal intermediary option shall not affect the recipient's authorized level of personal care assistant services as determined in subdivision 5.

Subd. 11. Shared private duty nursing care option. (a) Medical assistance payments for shared private duty nursing services by a private duty nurse shall be limited according to this subdivision. For the purposes of this section, "private duty nursing agency" means an agency licensed under chapter 144A to provide private duty nursing services.

(b) Recipients of private duty nursing services may share nursing staff and the commissioner shall provide a rate methodology for shared private duty nursing. For two persons sharing nursing care, the rate paid to a provider shall not exceed 1.5 times the regular private duty nursing rates paid for serving a single individual by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. These rates apply only to situations in which both recipients are present and receive shared private duty nursing care on the date for which the service is billed. No more than two persons may receive shared private duty nursing services from a private duty nurse in a single setting.

(c) Shared private duty nursing care is the provision of nursing services by a private duty nurse to two recipients at the same time and in the same setting. For the purposes of this subdivision, "setting" means:

(1) the home or foster care home of one of the individual recipients; or

(2) a child care program licensed under chapter 245A or operated by a local school district or private school; or

(3) an adult day care service licensed under chapter 245A; or

(4) outside the home or foster care home of one of the recipients when normal life activities take the recipients outside the home.

This subdivision does not apply when a private duty nurse is caring for multiple recipients in more than one setting.

(d) The recipient or the recipient's legal representative, and the recipient's physician, in conjunction with the home health care agency, shall determine:

(1) whether shared private duty nursing care is an appropriate option based on the individual needs and preferences of the recipient; and

(2) the amount of shared private duty nursing services authorized as part of the overall authorization of nursing services.

(e) The recipient or the recipient's legal representative, in conjunction with the private duty nursing agency, shall approve the setting, grouping, and arrangement of shared private duty nursing care based on the individual needs and preferences of the recipients. Decisions on the selection of recipients to share services must be based on the ages of the recipients, compatibility, and coordination of their care needs.

(f) The following items must be considered by the recipient or the recipient's legal representative and the private duty nursing agency, and documented in the recipient's health service record:

(1) the additional training needed by the private duty nurse to provide care to two recipients in the same setting and to ensure that the needs of the recipients are met appropriately and safely;

(2) the setting in which the shared private duty nursing care will be provided;

(3) the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness and appropriateness of the service and process used to make changes in service or setting;

(4) a contingency plan which accounts for absence of the recipient in a shared private duty nursing setting due to illness or other circumstances;

(5) staffing backup contingencies in the event of employee illness or absence; and

(6) arrangements for additional assistance to respond to urgent or emergency care needs of the recipients.

(g) The provider must offer the recipient or responsible party the option of shared or one-on-one private duty nursing services. The recipient or responsible party can withdraw from participating in a shared service arrangement at any time.

(h) The private duty nursing agency must document the following in the health service record for each individual recipient sharing private duty nursing care:

(1) permission by the recipient or the recipient's legal representative for the maximum number of shared nursing care hours per week chosen by the recipient;

(2) permission by the recipient or the recipient's legal representative for shared private duty nursing services provided outside the recipient's residence;

(3) permission by the recipient or the recipient's legal representative for others to receive shared private duty nursing services in the recipient's residence;

(4) revocation by the recipient or the recipient's legal representative of the shared private duty nursing care authorization, or the shared care to be provided to others in the recipient's residence, or the shared private duty nursing services to be provided outside the recipient's residence; and

(5) daily documentation of the shared private duty nursing services provided by each identified private duty nurse, including:

(i) the names of each recipient receiving shared private duty nursing services together;

(ii) the setting for the shared services, including the starting and ending times that the recipient received shared private duty nursing care; and

(iii) notes by the private duty nurse regarding changes in the recipient's condition, problems that may arise from the sharing of private duty nursing services, and scheduling and care issues.

(i) Unless otherwise provided in this subdivision, all other statutory and regulatory provisions relating to private duty nursing services apply to shared private duty nursing services.

Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to reduce the total number of private duty nursing hours authorized for an individual recipient under subdivision 5.

Subd. 12. Public health nurse assessment rate. (a) The reimbursement rates for public health nurse visits that relate to the provision of personal care services under this section and section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, are:

(i) $210.50 for a face-to-face assessment visit;

(ii) $105.25 for each service update; and

(iii) $105.25 for each request for a temporary service increase.

(b) The rates specified in paragraph (a) must be adjusted to reflect provider rate increases for personal care assistant services that are approved by the legislature for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, and subsequent fiscal years. Any requirements applied by the legislature to provider rate increases for personal care assistant services also apply to adjustments under this paragraph.

Subd. 13. Consumer-directed home care demonstration project. (a) Upon the receipt of federal waiver authority, the commissioner shall implement a consumer-directed home care demonstration project. The consumer-directed home care demonstration project must demonstrate and evaluate the outcomes of a consumer-directed service delivery alternative to improve access, increase consumer control and accountability over available resources, and enable the use of supports that are more individualized and cost-effective for eligible medical assistance recipients receiving certain medical assistance home care services. The consumer-directed home care demonstration project will be administered locally by county agencies, tribal governments, or administrative entities under contract with the state in regions where counties choose not to provide this service.

(b) Grant awards for persons who have been receiving medical assistance covered personal care, home health aide, or private duty nursing services for a period of 12 consecutive months or more prior to enrollment in the consumer-directed home care demonstration project will be established on a case-by-case basis using historical service expenditure data. An average monthly expenditure for each continuing enrollee will be calculated based on historical expenditures made on behalf of the enrollee for personal care, home health aide, or private duty nursing services during the 12 month period directly prior to enrollment in the project. The grant award will equal 90 percent of the average monthly expenditure.

(c) Grant awards for project enrollees who have been receiving medical assistance covered personal care, home health aide, or private duty nursing services for a period of less than 12 consecutive months prior to project enrollment will be calculated on a case-by-case basis using the service authorization in place at the time of enrollment. The total number of units of personal care, home health aide, or private duty nursing services the enrollee has been authorized to receive will be converted to the total cost of the authorized services in a given month using the statewide average service payment rates. To determine an estimated monthly expenditure, the total authorized monthly personal care, home health aide or private duty nursing service costs will be reduced by a percentage rate equivalent to the difference between the statewide average service authorization and the statewide average utilization rate for each of the services by medical assistance eligibles during the most recent fiscal year for which 12 months of data is available. The grant award will equal 90 percent of the estimated monthly expenditure.

(d) The state of Minnesota, county agencies, tribal governments, or administrative entities under contract with the state that participate in the implementation and administration of the consumer-directed home care demonstration project, shall not be liable for damages, injuries, or liabilities sustained through the purchase of support by the individual, the individual's family, legal representative, or the authorized representative under this section with funds received through the consumer-directed home care demonstration project. Liabilities include but are not limited to: workers' compensation liability, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), or the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA).

(e) With federal approval, the commissioner may adjust methodologies in paragraphs (b) and (c) to simplify program administration, improve consistency between state and federal programs, and maximize federal financial participation.

Subd. 14. Telehomecare; skilled nurse visits. Medical assistance covers skilled nurse visits according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a, provided via telehomecare, for services which do not require hands-on care between the home care nurse and recipient. The provision of telehomecare must be made via live, two-way interactive audiovisual technology and may be augmented by utilizing store-and-forward technologies. Store-and-forward technology includes telehomecare services that do not occur in real time via synchronous transmissions, and that do not require a face-to-face encounter with the recipient for all or any part of any such telehomecare visit. Individually identifiable patient data obtained through real-time or store-and-forward technology must be maintained as health records according to section 144.335. If the video is used for research, training, or other purposes unrelated to the care of the patient, the identity of the patient must be concealed. A communication between the home care nurse and recipient that consists solely of a telephone conversation, facsimile, electronic mail, or a consultation between two health care practitioners, is not to be considered a telehomecare visit. Multiple daily skilled nurse visits provided via telehomecare are allowed. Coverage of telehomecare is limited to two visits per day. All skilled nurse visits provided via telehomecare must be prior authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee and will be covered at the same allowable rate as skilled nurse visits provided in-person.

Subd. 15. Therapies through home health agencies. (a) Physical therapy. Medical assistance covers physical therapy and related services, including specialized maintenance therapy. Services provided by a physical therapy assistant shall be reimbursed at the same rate as services performed by a physical therapist when the services of the physical therapy assistant are provided under the direction of a physical therapist who is on the premises. Services provided by a physical therapy assistant that are provided under the direction of a physical therapist who is not on the premises shall be reimbursed at 65 percent of the physical therapist rate. Direction of the physical therapy assistant must be provided by the physical therapist as described in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390, subpart 1, item B. The physical therapist and physical therapist assistant may not both bill for services provided to a recipient on the same day.

(b) Occupational therapy. Medical assistance covers occupational therapy and related services, including specialized maintenance therapy. Services provided by an occupational therapy assistant shall be reimbursed at the same rate as services performed by an occupational therapist when the services of the occupational therapy assistant are provided under the direction of the occupational therapist who is on the premises. Services provided by an occupational therapy assistant under the direction of an occupational therapist who is not on the premises shall be reimbursed at 65 percent of the occupational therapist rate. Direction of the occupational therapy assistant must be provided by the occupational therapist as described in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390, subpart 1, item B. The occupational therapist and occupational therapist assistant may not both bill for services provided to a recipient on the same day.

Subd. 16. Hardship criteria; private duty nursing. (a) Payment is allowed for extraordinary services that require specialized nursing skills and are provided by parents of minor children, spouses, and legal guardians who are providing private duty nursing care under the following conditions:

(1) the provision of these services is not legally required of the parents, spouses, or legal guardians;

(2) the services are necessary to prevent hospitalization of the recipient; and

(3) the recipient is eligible for state plan home care or a home and community-based waiver and one of the following hardship criteria are met:

(i) the parent, spouse, or legal guardian resigns from a part-time or full-time job to provide nursing care for the recipient; or

(ii) the parent, spouse, or legal guardian goes from a full-time to a part-time job with less compensation to provide nursing care for the recipient; or

(iii) the parent, spouse, or legal guardian takes a leave of absence without pay to provide nursing care for the recipient; or

(iv) because of labor conditions, special language needs, or intermittent hours of care needed, the parent, spouse, or legal guardian is needed in order to provide adequate private duty nursing services to meet the medical needs of the recipient.

(b) Private duty nursing may be provided by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian who is a nurse licensed in Minnesota. Private duty nursing services provided by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian cannot be used in lieu of nursing services covered and available under liable third-party payors, including Medicare. The private duty nursing provided by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian must be included in the service plan. Authorized skilled nursing services provided by the parent, spouse, or legal guardian may not exceed 50 percent of the total approved nursing hours, or eight hours per day, whichever is less, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Nothing in this subdivision precludes the parent's, spouse's, or legal guardian's obligation of assuming the nonreimbursed family responsibilities of emergency backup caregiver and primary caregiver.

(c) A parent or a spouse may not be paid to provide private duty nursing care if the parent or spouse fails to pass a criminal background check according to section 245A.04, or if it has been determined by the home health agency, the case manager, or the physician that the private duty nursing care provided by the parent, spouse, or legal guardian is unsafe.

Subd. 17. Quality assurance plan for personal care assistant services. The commissioner shall establish a quality assurance plan for personal care assistant services that includes:

(1) performance-based provider agreements;

(2) meaningful consumer input, which may include consumer surveys, that measure the extent to which participants receive the services and supports described in the individual plan and participant satisfaction with such services and supports;

(3) ongoing monitoring of the health and well-being of consumers; and

(4) an ongoing public process for development, implementation, and review of the quality assurance plan.

HIST: 1986 c 444; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 51; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 12,25; 1992 c 391 s 3-6; 1992 c 464 art 2 s 1; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 50; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 51-53; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 52-55; 1996 c 451 art 5 s 17-20; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 28,29; 3Sp1997 c 3 s 9; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 29-31; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 50-58; 2000 c 474 s 8-11; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 29-41

256B.0628 Prior authorization and review of home care services.

Subdivision 1. State coordination. The commissioner shall supervise the coordination of the prior authorization and review of home care services that are reimbursed by medical assistance.

Subd. 2. Duties. (a) The commissioner may contract with or employ qualified registered nurses and necessary support staff, or contract with qualified agencies, to provide home care prior authorization and review services for medical assistance recipients who are receiving home care services.

(b) Reimbursement for the prior authorization function shall be made through the medical assistance administrative authority. The state shall pay the nonfederal share. The functions will be to:

(1) assess the recipient's individual need for services required to be cared for safely in the community;

(2) ensure that a service plan that meets the recipient's needs is developed by the appropriate agency or individual;

(3) ensure cost-effectiveness of medical assistance home care services;

(4) recommend the approval or denial of the use of medical assistance funds to pay for home care services;

(5) reassess the recipient's need for and level of home care services at a frequency determined by the commissioner; and

(6) conduct on-site assessments when determined necessary by the commissioner and recommend changes to care plans that will provide more efficient and appropriate home care.

(c) In addition, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee may:

(1) review service plans and reimbursement data for utilization of services that exceed community-based standards for home care, inappropriate home care services, medical necessity, home care services that do not meet quality of care standards, or unauthorized services and make appropriate referrals within the department or to other appropriate entities based on the findings;

(2) assist the recipient in obtaining services necessary to allow the recipient to remain safely in or return to the community;

(3) coordinate home care services with other medical assistance services under section 256B.0625;

(4) assist the recipient with problems related to the provision of home care services;

(5) assure the quality of home care services; and

(6) assure that all liable third-party payers including Medicare have been used prior to medical assistance for home care services, including but not limited to, home health agency, elected hospice benefit, waivered services, alternative care program services, and personal care services.

(d) For the purposes of this section, "home care services" means medical assistance services defined under section 256B.0625, subdivisions 6a, 7, and 19a.

Subd. 3. Assessment and prior authorization process for recipients of both home care and home and community-based waivered services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. Effective January 1, 1996, for purposes of providing informed choice, coordinating of local planning decisions, and streamlining administrative requirements, the assessment and prior authorization process for persons receiving both home care and home and community-based waivered services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions shall meet the requirements of this section and section 256B.0627 with the following exceptions:

(a) Upon request for home care services and subsequent assessment by the public health nurse under section 256B.0627, the public health nurse shall participate in the screening process, as appropriate, and, if home care services are determined to be necessary, participate in the development of a service plan coordinating the need for home care and home and community-based waivered services with the assigned county case manager, the recipient of services, and the recipient's legal representative, if any.

(b) The public health nurse shall give prior authorization for home care services to the extent that home care services are:

(1) medically necessary;

(2) chosen by the recipient and their legal representative, if any, from the array of home care and home and community-based waivered services available;

(3) coordinated with other services to be received by the recipient as described in the service plan; and

(4) provided within the county's reimbursement limits for home care and home and community-based waivered services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

(c) If the public health agency is or may be the provider of home care services to the recipient, the public health agency shall provide the commissioner of human services with a written plan that specifies how the assessment and prior authorization process will be held separate and distinct from the provision of services.

HIST: 1991 c 292 art 7 s 13; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 54; 1995 c 207 art 3 s 18; art 6 s 56; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 21

256B.0629 Advisory committee on organ and tissue transplants.

Subdivision 1. Creation and membership. By July 1, 1990, the commissioner shall appoint and convene a 12-member advisory committee to provide advice and recommendations to the commissioner concerning the eligibility of organ and tissue transplant procedures for reimbursement by medical assistance and general assistance medical care. The committee must include representatives of the transplant provider community, hospitals, patient recipient groups or organizations, the department of human services, the department of finance, and the department of health, at least one representative of a health plan regulated under chapter 62A, 62C, or 62D, and persons with expertise in ethics, law, and economics. The terms and removal of members shall be governed by section 15.059. Members shall not receive per diems but shall be compensated for expenses. The advisory committee does not expire as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 6.

Subd. 2. Function and objectives. The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year. The committee's activities include, but are not limited to:

(1) collection of information on the efficacy and experience of various forms of transplantation not approved by Medicare;

(2) collection of information from Minnesota transplant providers on available services, success rates, and the current status of transplant activity in the state;

(3) development of guidelines for determining when and under what conditions organ and tissue transplants not approved by Medicare should be eligible for reimbursement by medical assistance and general assistance medical care;

(4) providing recommendations, at least annually, to the commissioner on: (i) organ and tissue transplant procedures, beyond those approved by Medicare, that should also be eligible for reimbursement under medical assistance and general assistance medical care; and (ii) which transplant centers should be eligible for reimbursement from medical assistance and general assistance medical care.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1997 c 7 art 2 s 67

Subd. 4. Responsibilities of the commissioner. The commissioner shall periodically:

(1) Determine criteria governing the eligibility of organ and tissue transplant procedures for reimbursement from medical assistance and general assistance medical care. Procedures approved by Medicare are automatically eligible for medical assistance and general assistance medical care reimbursement. Additional procedures are eligible for reimbursement only if they are recommended by the task force, approved by the commissioner, and published in the State Register.

(2) Determine criteria for certifying transplant centers within and outside of Minnesota where Minnesotans receiving medical assistance and general assistance medical care may obtain transplants. Only centers recommended by the task force and approved by the commissioner may be certified by the commissioner.

HIST: 1990 c 568 art 3 s 52; 1993 c 4 s 29; 1993 c 339 s 24; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 55; 1Sp1993 c 6 s 11; 1994 c 529 s 9,10,19

256B.063 Cost sharing.

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 256B.05, subdivision 2, the commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, and to require a nominal enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge for recipients of medical assistance, if and to the extent required by applicable federal regulation.

HIST: 1973 c 717 s 5

256B.0635 Continued eligibility in special circumstances.

Subdivision 1. Increased employment. (a) Until June 30, 2002, medical assistance may be paid for persons who received MFIP-S or medical assistance for families and children in at least three of six months preceding the month in which the person became ineligible for MFIP-S or medical assistance, if the ineligibility was due to an increase in hours of employment or employment income or due to the loss of an earned income disregard. In addition, to receive continued assistance under this section, persons who received medical assistance for families and children but did not receive MFIP-S must have had income less than or equal to the assistance standard for their family size under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, increased by three percent effective July 1, 2000, at the time medical assistance eligibility began. A person who is eligible for extended medical assistance is entitled to six months of assistance without reapplication, unless the assistance unit ceases to include a dependent child. For a person under 21 years of age, medical assistance may not be discontinued within the six-month period of extended eligibility until it has been determined that the person is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance. Medical assistance may be continued for an additional six months if the person meets all requirements for the additional six months, according to title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 303 of the Family Support Act of 1988, Public Law Number 100-485.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2002, medical assistance for families and children may be paid for persons who were eligible under section 256B.055, subdivision 3a, in at least three of six months preceding the month in which the person became ineligible under that section if the ineligibility was due to an increase in hours of employment or employment income or due to the loss of an earned income disregard. A person who is eligible for extended medical assistance is entitled to six months of assistance without reapplication, unless the assistance unit ceases to include a dependent child, except medical assistance may not be discontinued for that dependent child under 21 years of age within the six-month period of extended eligibility until it has been determined that the person is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance. Medical assistance may be continued for an additional six months if the person meets all requirements for the additional six months, according to title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 303 of the Family Support Act of 1988, Public Law Number 100-485.

Subd. 2. Increased child or spousal support. (a) Until June 30, 2002, medical assistance may be paid for persons who received MFIP-S or medical assistance for families and children in at least three of the six months preceding the month in which the person became ineligible for MFIP-S or medical assistance, if the ineligibility was the result of the collection of child or spousal support under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act. In addition, to receive continued assistance under this section, persons who received medical assistance for families and children but did not receive MFIP-S must have had income less than or equal to the assistance standard for their family size under the state's AFDC plan in effect as of July 16, 1996, increased by three percent effective July 1, 2000, at the time medical assistance eligibility began. A person who is eligible for extended medical assistance under this subdivision is entitled to four months of assistance without reapplication, unless the assistance unit ceases to include a dependent child, except medical assistance may not be discontinued for that dependent child under 21 years of age within the four-month period of extended eligibility until it has been determined that the person is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2002, medical assistance for families and children may be paid for persons who were eligible under section 256B.055, subdivision 3a, in at least three of the six months preceding the month in which the person became ineligible under that section if the ineligibility was the result of the collection of child or spousal support under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act. A person who is eligible for extended medical assistance under this subdivision is entitled to four months of assistance without reapplication, unless the assistance unit ceases to include a dependent child, except medical assistance may not be discontinued for that dependent child under 21 years of age within the four-month period of extended eligibility until it has been determined that the person is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 76

HIST: 1997 c 85 art 3 s 22; 1998 c 407 art 6 s 13; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 59; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 40,41

256B.0637 Presumptive eligibility for certain persons needing treatment for breast or cervical cancer.

Medical assistance is available during a presumptive eligibility period for persons who meet the criteria in section 256B.057, subdivision 10. For purposes of this section, the presumptive eligibility period begins on the date on which an entity designated by the commissioner determines, based on preliminary information, that the person meets the criteria in section 256B.057, subdivision 10. The presumptive eligibility period ends on the day on which a determination is made as to the person's eligibility, except that if an application is not submitted by the last day of the month following the month during which the determination based on preliminary information is made, the presumptive eligibility period ends on that last day of the month.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 42

* NOTE: This section, as added by Laws 2001, First Special *Session chapter 9, article 2, section 42, is effective July 1, *2002. Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, article 2, *section 42, the effective date.

256B.064 Sanctions; monetary recovery.

Subdivision 1. Terminating payments to ineligible vendors. The commissioner may terminate payments under this chapter to any person or facility that, under applicable federal law or regulation, has been determined to be ineligible for payments under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Subd. 1a. Grounds for sanctions against vendors. The commissioner may impose sanctions against a vendor of medical care for any of the following: (1) fraud, theft, or abuse in connection with the provision of medical care to recipients of public assistance; (2) a pattern of presentment of false or duplicate claims or claims for services not medically necessary; (3) a pattern of making false statements of material facts for the purpose of obtaining greater compensation than that to which the vendor is legally entitled; (4) suspension or termination as a Medicare vendor; (5) refusal to grant the state agency access during regular business hours to examine all records necessary to disclose the extent of services provided to program recipients and appropriateness of claims for payment; (6) failure to repay an overpayment finally established under this section; and (7) any reason for which a vendor could be excluded from participation in the Medicare program under section 1128, 1128A, or 1866(b)(2) of the Social Security Act. The determination of services not medically necessary may be made by the commissioner in consultation with a peer advisory task force appointed by the commissioner on the recommendation of appropriate professional organizations. The task force expires as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 5.

Subd. 1b. Sanctions available. The commissioner may impose the following sanctions for the conduct described in subdivision 1a: suspension or withholding of payments to a vendor and suspending or terminating participation in the program. Regardless of imposition of sanctions, the commissioner may make a referral to the appropriate state licensing board.

Subd. 1c. Grounds for and methods of monetary recovery. (a) The commissioner may obtain monetary recovery from a vendor who has been improperly paid either as a result of conduct described in subdivision 1a or as a result of a vendor or department error, regardless of whether the error was intentional. Patterns need not be proven as a precondition to monetary recovery of erroneous or false claims, duplicate claims, claims for services not medically necessary, or claims based on false statements.

(b) The commissioner may obtain monetary recovery using methods including but not limited to the following: assessing and recovering money improperly paid and debiting from future payments any money improperly paid. The commissioner shall charge interest on money to be recovered if the recovery is to be made by installment payments or debits, except when the monetary recovery is of an overpayment that resulted from a department error. The interest charged shall be the rate established by the commissioner of revenue under section 270.75.

Subd. 1d. Investigative costs. The commissioner may seek recovery of investigative costs from any vendor of medical care or services who willfully submits a claim for reimbursement for services that the vendor knows, or reasonably should have known, is a false representation and that results in the payment of public funds for which the vendor is ineligible. Billing errors that result in unintentional overcharges shall not be grounds for investigative cost recoupment.

Subd. 2. Imposition of monetary recovery and sanctions. (a) The commissioner shall determine any monetary amounts to be recovered and sanctions to be imposed upon a vendor of medical care under this section. Except as provided in paragraph (b), neither a monetary recovery nor a sanction will be imposed by the commissioner without prior notice and an opportunity for a hearing, according to chapter 14, on the commissioner's proposed action, provided that the commissioner may suspend or reduce payment to a vendor of medical care, except a nursing home or convalescent care facility, after notice and prior to the hearing if in the commissioner's opinion that action is necessary to protect the public welfare and the interests of the program.

(b) Except for a nursing home or convalescent care facility, the commissioner may withhold or reduce payments to a vendor of medical care without providing advance notice of such withholding or reduction if either of the following occurs:

(1) the vendor is convicted of a crime involving the conduct described in subdivision 1a; or

(2) the commissioner receives reliable evidence of fraud or willful misrepresentation by the vendor.

(c) The commissioner must send notice of the withholding or reduction of payments under paragraph (b) within five days of taking such action. The notice must:

(1) state that payments are being withheld according to paragraph (b);

(2) except in the case of a conviction for conduct described in subdivision 1a, state that the withholding is for a temporary period and cite the circumstances under which withholding will be terminated;

(3) identify the types of claims to which the withholding applies; and

(4) inform the vendor of the right to submit written evidence for consideration by the commissioner.

The withholding or reduction of payments will not continue after the commissioner determines there is insufficient evidence of fraud or willful misrepresentation by the vendor, or after legal proceedings relating to the alleged fraud or willful misrepresentation are completed, unless the commissioner has sent notice of intention to impose monetary recovery or sanctions under paragraph (a).

(d) Upon receipt of a notice under paragraph (a) that a monetary recovery or sanction is to be imposed, a vendor may request a contested case, as defined in section 14.02, subdivision 3, by filing with the commissioner a written request of appeal. The appeal request must be received by the commissioner no later than 30 days after the date the notification of monetary recovery or sanction was mailed to the vendor. The appeal request must specify:

(1) each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, and an estimate of the dollar amount involved for each disputed item;

(2) the computation that the vendor believes is correct;

(3) the authority in statute or rule upon which the vendor relies for each disputed item;

(4) the name and address of the person or entity with whom contacts may be made regarding the appeal; and

(5) other information required by the commissioner.

HIST: 1973 c 717 s 6; 1976 c 188 s 1; 1980 c 349 s 5,6; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 17; 1987 c 370 art 1 s 4; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 81; 1988 c 629 s 52; 1991 c 292 art 5 s 29; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 51,52; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 30-32; 2000 c 400 s 1

256B.0641 Recovery of overpayments.

Subdivision 1. Recovery procedures; sources. Notwithstanding section 256B.72 or any law or rule to the contrary, when the commissioner or the federal government determines that an overpayment has been made by the state to any medical assistance vendor, the commissioner shall recover the overpayment as follows:

(1) if the federal share of the overpayment amount is due and owing to the federal government under federal law and regulations, the commissioner shall recover from the medical assistance vendor the federal share of the determined overpayment amount paid to that provider using the schedule of payments required by the federal government;

(2) if the overpayment to a medical assistance vendor is due to a retroactive adjustment made because the medical assistance vendor's temporary payment rate was higher than the established desk audit payment rate or because of a department error in calculating a payment rate, the commissioner shall recover from the medical assistance vendor the total amount of the overpayment within 120 days after the date on which written notice of the adjustment is sent to the medical assistance vendor or according to a schedule of payments approved by the commissioner; and

(3) a medical assistance vendor is liable for the overpayment amount owed by a long-term care provider if the vendors or their owners are under common control or ownership.

Subd. 2. Overpayments to prior owners. The current owner of a nursing home, boarding care home, or intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or a related condition is liable for the overpayment amount owed by a former owner for any facility sold, transferred, or reorganized after May 15, 1987. Within 12 months of a written request by the current owner, the commissioner shall conduct a field audit of the facility for the auditable rate years during which the former owner owned the facility and issue a report of the field audit within 15 months of the written request. Nothing in this subdivision limits the liability of a former owner.

Subd. 3. Facility in receivership. Subdivision 2 does not apply to the change of ownership of a facility to a nonrelated organization while the facility to be sold, transferred or reorganized is in receivership under section 245A.12 or 245A.13, and the commissioner during the receivership has not determined the need to place residents of the facility into a newly constructed or newly established facility. Nothing in this subdivision limits the liability of a former owner.

HIST: 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 39; 1987 c 133 s 1; 1991 c 292 art 6 s 46; 1995 c 207 art 7 s 22

256B.0642 Federal financial participation.

The commissioner may, in the aggregate, prospectively reduce payment rates for medical assistance providers receiving federal funds to avoid reduced federal financial participation resulting from rates that are in excess of the Medicare limitations.

HIST: 1989 c 282 art 3 s 59

256B.0643 Vendor request for contested case proceeding.

Unless otherwise provided by law, a vendor of medical care, as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, must use this procedure to request a contested case, as defined in section 14.02, subdivision 3. A request for a contested case must be filed with the commissioner in writing within 60 days after the date the notification of an action or determination was mailed. The appeal request must specify:

(1) each disputed action or item;

(2) the reason for the dispute;

(3) an estimate of the dollar amount involved, if any, for each disputed item;

(4) the computation or other disposition that the appealing party believes is correct;

(5) the authority in statute or rule upon which the appealing party relies for each disputed item;

(6) the name and address of the person or firm with whom contacts may be made regarding the appeal; and

(7) other information required by the commissioner. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a right to an administrative appeal or contested case proceeding.

HIST: 1990 c 568 art 3 s 53

256B.0644 Participation required for reimbursement under other state health care programs.

A vendor of medical care, as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, and a health maintenance organization, as defined in chapter 62D, must participate as a provider or contractor in the medical assistance program, general assistance medical care program, and MinnesotaCare as a condition of participating as a provider in health insurance plans and programs or contractor for state employees established under section 43A.18, the public employees insurance program under section 43A.316, for health insurance plans offered to local statutory or home rule charter city, county, and school district employees, the workers' compensation system under section 176.135, and insurance plans provided through the Minnesota comprehensive health association under sections 62E.01 to 62E.19. The limitations on insurance plans offered to local government employees shall not be applicable in geographic areas where provider participation is limited by managed care contracts with the department of human services. For providers other than health maintenance organizations, participation in the medical assistance program means that (1) the provider accepts new medical assistance, general assistance medical care, and MinnesotaCare patients or (2) at least 20 percent of the provider's patients are covered by medical assistance, general assistance medical care, and MinnesotaCare as their primary source of coverage. Patients seen on a volunteer basis by the provider at a location other than the provider's usual place of practice may be considered in meeting this participation requirement. The commissioner shall establish participation requirements for health maintenance organizations. The commissioner shall provide lists of participating medical assistance providers on a quarterly basis to the commissioner of employee relations, the commissioner of labor and industry, and the commissioner of commerce. Each of the commissioners shall develop and implement procedures to exclude as participating providers in the program or programs under their jurisdiction those providers who do not participate in the medical assistance program. The commissioner of employee relations shall implement this section through contracts with participating health and dental carriers.

HIST: 1992 c 549 art 4 s 13; 1993 c 13 art 2 s 7; 1993 c 247 art 4 s 9; 1993 c 339 s 14; 1993 c 345 art 9 s 14; 1995 c 248 art 10 s 16; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 33,72; 1999 c 177 s 87; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 43

256B.0645 Provider payments; retroactive changes in eligibility.

Payment to a provider for a health care service provided to a general assistance medical care recipient who is later determined eligible for medical assistance or MinnesotaCare according to section 256L.03, subdivision 1a, for the period in which the health care service was provided, may be adjusted due to the change in eligibility. This section does not apply to payments made to health plans on a prepaid capitated basis.

HIST: 1995 c 234 art 6 s 39; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 32

256B.065 Social security amendments.

The commissioner shall comply with requirements of the social security amendments of 1972 (Public Law Number 92-603) necessary in order to avoid loss of federal funds, and shall implement by rule, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, those provisions required of state agencies supervising Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

HIST: 1973 c 717 s 7

256B.07 Repealed, 1987 c 403 art 2 s 164

256B.071 Medicare maximization program.

Subdivision 1. Definition. (a) "Dual entitlees" means recipients eligible for either the medical assistance program or the alternative care program who are also eligible for the federal Medicare program.

(b) For purposes of this section, "home care services" means home health agency services, private duty nursing services, personal care assistant services, waivered services, alternative care program services, hospice services, rehabilitation therapy services, and suppliers of medical supplies and equipment.

Subd. 2. Technical assistance to providers. (a) The commissioner shall establish a technical assistance program to require providers of services and equipment under this section to maximize collections from the federal Medicare program. The technical assistance may include the provision of materials to help providers determine those services and equipment likely to be reimbursed by Medicare.

(b) Any provider of home care services enrolled in the medical assistance program, or county public health nursing agency responsible for personal care assessments, or county case managers for alternative care or medical assistance waiver programs, is required to use the method developed and supplied by the department of human services for determining Medicare coverage for home care equipment and services provided to dual entitlees to ensure appropriate billing of Medicare.

Subd. 3. Referrals to Medicare providers required. Non-Medicare certified home care providers and medical suppliers that do not participate or accept Medicare assignment must refer and document the referral of dual eligible recipients to Medicare providers when Medicare is determined to be the appropriate payer for services and supplies and equipment. Providers will be terminated from participation in the medical assistance program for failure to make such referrals.

Subd. 4. Medicare certification requirement. Medicare certification is required of all medical assistance enrolled home care service providers as required under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Subd. 5. Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58; 2001 c 203 s 19

HIST: 1996 c 451 art 2 s 22; 1997 c 195 s 2-4; 2001 c 203 s 10

256B.08 Application.

Subdivision 1. Application process. An applicant for medical assistance, or a person acting in the applicant's behalf, shall file an application with a local agency in the manner and form prescribed by the state agency. When a married applicant resides in a nursing home or applies for medical assistance for nursing home services, the local agency shall consider an application on behalf of the applicant's spouse only upon specific request of the applicant or upon specific request of the spouse and separate filing of an application.

Subd. 2. Expedited review for pregnant women. A pregnant woman who may be eligible for assistance under section 256B.055, subdivision 1, must receive an appointment for eligibility determination no later than five working days from the date of her request for assistance from the local agency. The local agency shall expedite processing her application for assistance and shall make a determination of eligibility on a completed application no later than ten working days following the applicant's initial appointment. The local agency shall assist the applicant to provide all necessary information and documentation in order to process the application within the time period required under this subdivision. The state agency shall provide for the placement of applications for medical assistance in eligible provider offices, community health offices, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program sites.

Subd. 3. Outreach locations. The local agency must establish locations, other than those used to process applications for cash assistance, to receive and perform initial processing of applications for pregnant women and children who want medical assistance only. At a minimum, these locations must be in federally qualified health centers and in hospitals that receive disproportionate share adjustments under section 256.969, subdivision 8, except that hospitals located outside of this state that receive the disproportionate share adjustment are not included. Initial processing of the application need not include a final determination of eligibility. Local agencies shall designate a person or persons within the agency who will receive the applications taken at an outreach location and the local agency will be responsible for timely determination of eligibility.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 8; 1Sp1981 c 2 s 15; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 146,268; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 50

256B.09 Investigations.

When an application for medical assistance hereunder is filed with a county agency, such county agency shall promptly make or cause to be made such investigation as it may deem necessary. The object of such investigation shall be to ascertain the facts supporting the application made hereunder and such other information as may be required by the rules of the state agency. Upon the completion of such investigation the county agency shall promptly determine eligibility. No approval by the county agency shall be required prior to payment for medical care provided to recipients determined to be eligible pursuant to this section.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 9; 1973 c 717 s 19

256B.091 Repealed, 1991 c 292 art 7 s 26

256B.0911 Long-term care consultation services.

Subdivision 1. Purpose and goal. (a) The purpose of long-term care consultation services is to assist persons with long-term or chronic care needs in making long-term care decisions and selecting options that meet their needs and reflect their preferences. The availability of, and access to, information and other types of assistance is also intended to prevent or delay certified nursing facility placements and to provide transition assistance after admission. Further, the goal of these services is to contain costs associated with unnecessary certified nursing facility admissions. The commissioners of human services and health shall seek to maximize use of available federal and state funds and establish the broadest program possible within the funding available.

(b) These services must be coordinated with services provided under sections 256.975, subdivision 7, and 256.9772, and with services provided by other public and private agencies in the community to offer a variety of cost-effective alternatives to persons with disabilities and elderly persons. The county agency providing long-term care consultation services shall encourage the use of volunteers from families, religious organizations, social clubs, and similar civic and service organizations to provide community-based services.

Subd. 1a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Long-term care consultation services" means:

(1) providing information and education to the general public regarding availability of the services authorized under this section;

(2) an intake process that provides access to the services described in this section;

(3) assessment of the health, psychological, and social needs of referred individuals;

(4) assistance in identifying services needed to maintain an individual in the least restrictive environment;

(5) providing recommendations on cost-effective community services that are available to the individual;

(6) development of an individual's community support plan;

(7) providing information regarding eligibility for Minnesota health care programs;

(8) preadmission screening to determine the need for a nursing facility level of care;

(9) preliminary determination of Minnesota health care programs eligibility for individuals who need a nursing facility level of care, with appropriate referrals for final determination;

(10) providing recommendations for nursing facility placement when there are no cost-effective community services available; and

(11) assistance to transition people back to community settings after facility admission.

(b) "Minnesota health care programs" means the medical assistance program under chapter 256B, the alternative care program under section 256B.0913, and the prescription drug program under section 256.955.

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

Subd. 2a. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

Subd. 3. Long-term care consultation team. (a) A long-term care consultation team shall be established by the county board of commissioners. Each local consultation team shall consist of at least one social worker and at least one public health nurse from their respective county agencies. The board may designate public health or social services as the lead agency for long-term care consultation services. If a county does not have a public health nurse available, it may request approval from the commissioner to assign a county registered nurse with at least one year experience in home care to participate on the team. Two or more counties may collaborate to establish a joint local consultation team or teams.

(b) The team is responsible for providing long-term care consultation services to all persons located in the county who request the services, regardless of eligibility for Minnesota health care programs.

Subd. 3a. Assessment and support planning. (a) Persons requesting assessment, services planning, or other assistance intended to support community-based living must be visited by a long-term care consultation team within ten working days after the date on which an assessment was requested or recommended. Assessments must be conducted according to paragraphs (b) to (g).

(b) The county may utilize a team of either the social worker or public health nurse, or both, to conduct the assessment in a face-to-face interview. The consultation team members must confer regarding the most appropriate care for each individual screened or assessed.

(c) The long-term care consultation team must assess the health and social needs of the person, using an assessment form provided by the commissioner.

(d) The team must conduct the assessment in a face-to-face interview with the person being assessed and the person's legal representative, if applicable.

(e) The team must provide the person, or the person's legal representative, with written recommendations for facility- or community-based services. The team must document that the most cost-effective alternatives available were offered to the individual. For purposes of this requirement, "cost-effective alternatives" means community services and living arrangements that cost the same as or less than nursing facility care.

(f) If the person chooses to use community-based services, the team must provide the person or the person's legal representative with a written community support plan, regardless of whether the individual is eligible for Minnesota health care programs. The person may request assistance in developing a community support plan without participating in a complete assessment.

(g) The team must give the person receiving assessment or support planning, or the person's legal representative, materials supplied by the commissioner containing the following information:

(1) the purpose of preadmission screening and assessment;

(2) information about Minnesota health care programs;

(3) the person's freedom to accept or reject the recommendations of the team;

(4) the person's right to confidentiality under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, chapter 13; and

(5) the person's right to appeal the decision regarding the need for nursing facility level of care or the county's final decisions regarding public programs eligibility according to section 256.045, subdivision 3.

Subd. 3b. Transition assistance. (a) A long-term care consultation team shall provide assistance to persons residing in a nursing facility, hospital, regional treatment center, or intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation who request or are referred for assistance. Transition assistance must include assessment, community support plan development, referrals to Minnesota health care programs, and referrals to programs that provide assistance with housing.

(b) The county shall develop transition processes with institutional social workers and discharge planners to ensure that:

(1) persons admitted to facilities receive information about transition assistance that is available;

(2) the assessment is completed for persons within ten working days of the date of request or recommendation for assessment; and

(3) there is a plan for transition and follow-up for the individual's return to the community. The plan must require notification of other local agencies when a person who may require assistance is screened by one county for admission to a facility located in another county.

(c) If a person who is eligible for a Minnesota health care program is admitted to a nursing facility, the nursing facility must include a consultation team member or the case manager in the discharge planning process.

Subd. 4. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

Subd. 4a. Preadmission screening activities related to nursing facility admissions. (a) All applicants to Medicaid certified nursing facilities, including certified boarding care facilities, must be screened prior to admission regardless of income, assets, or funding sources for nursing facility care, except as described in subdivision 4b. The purpose of the screening is to determine the need for nursing facility level of care as described in paragraph (d) and to complete activities required under federal law related to mental illness and mental retardation as outlined in paragraph (b).

(b) A person who has a diagnosis or possible diagnosis of mental illness, mental retardation, or a related condition must receive a preadmission screening before admission regardless of the exemptions outlined in subdivision 4b, paragraph (b), to identify the need for further evaluation and specialized services, unless the admission prior to screening is authorized by the local mental health authority or the local developmental disabilities case manager, or unless authorized by the county agency according to Public Law Number 100-508.

The following criteria apply to the preadmission screening:

(1) the county must use forms and criteria developed by the commissioner to identify persons who require referral for further evaluation and determination of the need for specialized services; and

(2) the evaluation and determination of the need for specialized services must be done by:

(i) a qualified independent mental health professional, for persons with a primary or secondary diagnosis of a serious mental illness; or

(ii) a qualified mental retardation professional, for persons with a primary or secondary diagnosis of mental retardation or related conditions. For purposes of this requirement, a qualified mental retardation professional must meet the standards for a qualified mental retardation professional under Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.430.

(c) The local county mental health authority or the state mental retardation authority under Public Law Numbers 100-203 and 101-508 may prohibit admission to a nursing facility if the individual does not meet the nursing facility level of care criteria or needs specialized services as defined in Public Law Numbers 100-203 and 101-508. For purposes of this section, "specialized services" for a person with mental retardation or a related condition means active treatment as that term is defined under Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.440 (a)(1).

(d) The determination of the need for nursing facility level of care must be made according to criteria developed by the commissioner. In assessing a person's needs, consultation team members shall have a physician available for consultation and shall consider the assessment of the individual's attending physician, if any. The individual's physician must be included if the physician chooses to participate. Other personnel may be included on the team as deemed appropriate by the county.

Subd. 4b. Exemptions and emergency admissions. (a) Exemptions from the federal screening requirements outlined in subdivision 4a, paragraphs (b) and (c), are limited to:

(1) a person who, having entered an acute care facility from a certified nursing facility, is returning to a certified nursing facility; and

(2) a person transferring from one certified nursing facility in Minnesota to another certified nursing facility in Minnesota.

(b) Persons who are exempt from preadmission screening for purposes of level of care determination include:

(1) persons described in paragraph (a);

(2) an individual who has a contractual right to have nursing facility care paid for indefinitely by the veterans' administration;

(3) an individual enrolled in a demonstration project under section 256B.69, subdivision 8, at the time of application to a nursing facility;

(4) an individual currently being served under the alternative care program or under a home and community-based services waiver authorized under section 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act; and

(5) individuals admitted to a certified nursing facility for a short-term stay, which is expected to be 14 days or less in duration based upon a physician's certification, and who have been assessed and approved for nursing facility admission within the previous six months. This exemption applies only if the consultation team member determines at the time of the initial assessment of the six-month period that it is appropriate to use the nursing facility for short-term stays and that there is an adequate plan of care for return to the home or community-based setting. If a stay exceeds 14 days, the individual must be referred no later than the first county working day following the 14th resident day for a screening, which must be completed within five working days of the referral. The payment limitations in subdivision 7 apply to an individual found at screening to not meet the level of care criteria for admission to a certified nursing facility.

(c) Persons admitted to a Medicaid-certified nursing facility from the community on an emergency basis as described in paragraph (d) or from an acute care facility on a nonworking day must be screened the first working day after admission.

(d) Emergency admission to a nursing facility prior to screening is permitted when all of the following conditions are met:

(1) a person is admitted from the community to a certified nursing or certified boarding care facility during county nonworking hours;

(2) a physician has determined that delaying admission until preadmission screening is completed would adversely affect the person's health and safety;

(3) there is a recent precipitating event that precludes the client from living safely in the community, such as sustaining an injury, sudden onset of acute illness, or a caregiver's inability to continue to provide care;

(4) the attending physician has authorized the emergency placement and has documented the reason that the emergency placement is recommended; and

(5) the county is contacted on the first working day following the emergency admission.

Transfer of a patient from an acute care hospital to a nursing facility is not considered an emergency except for a person who has received hospital services in the following situations: hospital admission for observation, care in an emergency room without hospital admission, or following hospital 24-hour bed care.

Subd. 4c. Screening requirements. (a) A person may be screened for nursing facility admission by telephone or in a face-to-face screening interview. Consultation team members shall identify each individual's needs using the following categories:

(1) the person needs no face-to-face screening interview to determine the need for nursing facility level of care based on information obtained from other health care professionals;

(2) the person needs an immediate face-to-face screening interview to determine the need for nursing facility level of care and complete activities required under subdivision 4a; or

(3) the person may be exempt from screening requirements as outlined in subdivision 4b, but will need transitional assistance after admission or in-person follow-along after a return home.

(b) Persons admitted on a nonemergency basis to a Medicaid-certified nursing facility must be screened prior to admission.

(c) The long-term care consultation team shall recommend a case mix classification for persons admitted to a certified nursing facility when sufficient information is received to make that classification. The nursing facility is authorized to conduct all case mix assessments for persons who have been screened prior to admission for whom the county did not recommend a case mix classification. The nursing facility is authorized to conduct all case mix assessments for persons admitted to the facility prior to a preadmission screening. The county retains the responsibility of distributing appropriate case mix forms to the nursing facility.

(d) The county screening or intake activity must include processes to identify persons who may require transition assistance as described in subdivision 3b.

Subd. 4d. Preadmission screening of individuals under 65 years of age. (a) It is the policy of the state of Minnesota to ensure that individuals with disabilities or chronic illness are served in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs and have the necessary information to make informed choices about home and community-based service options.

(b) Individuals under 65 years of age who are admitted to a nursing facility from a hospital must be screened prior to admission as outlined in subdivisions 4a through 4c.

(c) Individuals under 65 years of age who are admitted to nursing facilities with only a telephone screening must receive a face-to-face assessment from the long-term care consultation team member of the county in which the facility is located or from the recipient's county case manager within 20 working days of admission.

(d) At the face-to-face assessment, the long-term care consultation team member or county case manager must perform the activities required under subdivision 3b.

(e) For individuals under 21 years of age, a screening interview which recommends nursing facility admission must be face-to-face and approved by the commissioner before the individual is admitted to the nursing facility.

(f) In the event that an individual under 65 years of age is admitted to a nursing facility on an emergency basis, the county must be notified of the admission on the next working day, and a face-to-face assessment as described in paragraph (c) must be conducted within 20 working days of admission.

(g) At the face-to-face assessment, the long-term care consultation team member or the case manager must present information about home and community-based options so the individual can make informed choices. If the individual chooses home and community-based services, the long-term care consultation team member or case manager must complete a written relocation plan within 20 working days of the visit. The plan shall describe the services needed to move out of the facility and a time line for the move which is designed to ensure a smooth transition to the individual's home and community.

(h) An individual under 65 years of age residing in a nursing facility shall receive a face-to-face assessment at least every 12 months to review the person's service choices and available alternatives unless the individual indicates, in writing, that annual visits are not desired. In this case, the individual must receive a face-to-face assessment at least once every 36 months for the same purposes.

(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 6, the commissioner may pay county agencies directly for face-to-face assessments for individuals under 65 years of age who are being considered for placement or residing in a nursing facility.

Subd. 5. Administrative activity. The commissioner shall minimize the number of forms required in the provision of long-term care consultation services and shall limit the screening document to items necessary for community support plan approval, reimbursement, program planning, evaluation, and policy development.

Subd. 6. Payment for long-term care consultation services. (a) The total payment for each county must be paid monthly by certified nursing facilities in the county. The monthly amount to be paid by each nursing facility for each fiscal year must be determined by dividing the county's annual allocation for long-term care consultation services by 12 to determine the monthly payment and allocating the monthly payment to each nursing facility based on the number of licensed beds in the nursing facility. Payments to counties in which there is no certified nursing facility must be made by increasing the payment rate of the two facilities located nearest to the county seat.

(b) The commissioner shall include the total annual payment determined under paragraph (a) for each nursing facility reimbursed under section 256B.431 or 256B.434 according to section 256B.431, subdivision 2b, paragraph (g), or 256B.435.

(c) In the event of the layaway, delicensure and decertification, or removal from layaway of 25 percent or more of the beds in a facility, the commissioner may adjust the per diem payment amount in paragraph (b) and may adjust the monthly payment amount in paragraph (a). The effective date of an adjustment made under this paragraph shall be on or after the first day of the month following the effective date of the layaway, delicensure and decertification, or removal from layaway.

(d) Payments for long-term care consultation services are available to the county or counties to cover staff salaries and expenses to provide the services described in subdivision 1a. The county shall employ, or contract with other agencies to employ, within the limits of available funding, sufficient personnel to provide long-term care consultation services while meeting the state's long-term care outcomes and objectives as defined in section 256B.0917, subdivision 1. The county shall be accountable for meeting local objectives as approved by the commissioner in the CSSA biennial plan.

(e) Notwithstanding section 256B.0641, overpayments attributable to payment of the screening costs under the medical assistance program may not be recovered from a facility.

(f) The commissioner of human services shall amend the Minnesota medical assistance plan to include reimbursement for the local consultation teams.

(g) The county may bill, as case management services, assessments, support planning, and follow-along provided to persons determined to be eligible for case management under Minnesota health care programs. No individual or family member shall be charged for an initial assessment or initial support plan development provided under subdivision 3a or 3b.

Subd. 7. Reimbursement for certified nursing facilities. (a) Medical assistance reimbursement for nursing facilities shall be authorized for a medical assistance recipient only if a preadmission screening has been conducted prior to admission or the county has authorized an exemption. Medical assistance reimbursement for nursing facilities shall not be provided for any recipient who the local screener has determined does not meet the level of care criteria for nursing facility placement or, if indicated, has not had a level II OBRA evaluation as required under the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 completed unless an admission for a recipient with mental illness is approved by the local mental health authority or an admission for a recipient with mental retardation or related condition is approved by the state mental retardation authority.

(b) The nursing facility must not bill a person who is not a medical assistance recipient for resident days that preceded the date of completion of screening activities as required under subdivisions 4a, 4b, and 4c. The nursing facility must include unreimbursed resident days in the nursing facility resident day totals reported to the commissioner.

(c) The commissioner shall make a request to the health care financing administration for a waiver allowing team approval of Medicaid payments for certified nursing facility care. An individual has a choice and makes the final decision between nursing facility placement and community placement after the screening team's recommendation, except as provided in subdivision 4a, paragraph (c).

Subd. 8. Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58

Subd. 9. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

HIST: 1991 c 292 art 7 s 14; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 53-55; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 56-61,135; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 57-61; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 34; art 9 s 10; 1997 c 225 art 8 s 6; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 33-35; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 12; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 42; art 4 s 4-14

256B.0912 Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

256B.0913 Alternative care program.

Subdivision 1. Purpose and goals. The purpose of the alternative care program is to provide funding for home and community-based services for elderly persons, in order to limit nursing facility placements. The program is designed to support elderly persons in their desire to remain in the community as independently and as long as possible and to support informal caregivers in their efforts to provide care for elderly people. Further, the goals of the program are:

(1) to contain medical assistance expenditures by funding care in the community; and

(2) to maintain the moratorium on new construction of nursing home beds.

Subd. 2. Eligibility for services. Alternative care services are available to Minnesotans age 65 or older who are not eligible for medical assistance without a spenddown or waiver obligation but who would be eligible for medical assistance within 180 days of admission to a nursing facility and subject to subdivisions 4 to 13.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

Subd. 4. Eligibility for funding for services for nonmedical assistance recipients. (a) Funding for services under the alternative care program is available to persons who meet the following criteria:

(1) the person has been determined by a community assessment under section 256B.0911 to be a person who would require the level of care provided in a nursing facility, but for the provision of services under the alternative care program;

(2) the person is age 65 or older;

(3) the person would be eligible for medical assistance within 180 days of admission to a nursing facility;

(4) the person is not ineligible for the medical assistance program due to an asset transfer penalty;

(5) the person needs services that are not funded through other state or federal funding; and

(6) the monthly cost of the alternative care services funded by the program for this person does not exceed 75 percent of the statewide weighted average monthly nursing facility rate of the case mix resident class to which the individual alternative care client would be assigned under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, less the recipient's maintenance needs allowance as described in section 256B.0915, subdivision 1d, paragraph (a), until the first day of the state fiscal year in which the resident assessment system, under section 256B.437, for nursing home rate determination is implemented. Effective on the first day of the state fiscal year in which a resident assessment system, under section 256B.437, for nursing home rate determination is implemented and the first day of each subsequent state fiscal year, the monthly cost of alternative care services for this person shall not exceed the alternative care monthly cap for the case mix resident class to which the alternative care client would be assigned under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, which was in effect on the last day of the previous state fiscal year, and adjusted by the greater of any legislatively adopted home and community-based services cost-of-living percentage increase or any legislatively adopted statewide percent rate increase for nursing facilities. This monthly limit does not prohibit the alternative care client from payment for additional services, but in no case may the cost of additional services purchased under this section exceed the difference between the client's monthly service limit defined under section 256B.0915, subdivision 3, and the alternative care program monthly service limit defined in this paragraph. If medical supplies and equipment or environmental modifications are or will be purchased for an alternative care services recipient, the costs may be prorated on a monthly basis for up to 12 consecutive months beginning with the month of purchase. If the monthly cost of a recipient's other alternative care services exceeds the monthly limit established in this paragraph, the annual cost of the alternative care services shall be determined. In this event, the annual cost of alternative care services shall not exceed 12 times the monthly limit described in this paragraph.

(b) Alternative care funding under this subdivision is not available for a person who is a medical assistance recipient or who would be eligible for medical assistance without a spenddown or waiver obligation. A person whose initial application for medical assistance is being processed may be served under the alternative care program for a period up to 60 days. If the individual is found to be eligible for medical assistance, medical assistance must be billed for services payable under the federally approved elderly waiver plan and delivered from the date the individual was found eligible for the federally approved elderly waiver plan. Notwithstanding this provision, upon federal approval, alternative care funds may not be used to pay for any service the cost of which is payable by medical assistance or which is used by a recipient to meet a medical assistance income spenddown or waiver obligation.

(c) Alternative care funding is not available for a person who resides in a licensed nursing home, certified boarding care home, hospital, or intermediate care facility, except for case management services which are provided in support of the discharge planning process to a nursing home resident or certified boarding care home resident who is ineligible for case management funded by medical assistance.

Subd. 5. Services covered under alternative care. (a) Alternative care funding may be used for payment of costs of:

(1) adult foster care;

(2) adult day care;

(3) home health aide;

(4) homemaker services;

(5) personal care;

(6) case management;

(7) respite care;

(8) assisted living;

(9) residential care services;

(10) care-related supplies and equipment;

(11) meals delivered to the home;

(12) transportation;

(13) skilled nursing;

(14) chore services;

(15) companion services;

(16) nutrition services;

(17) training for direct informal caregivers;

(18) telemedicine devices to monitor recipients in their own homes as an alternative to hospital care, nursing home care, or home visits;

(19) other services which includes discretionary funds and direct cash payments to clients, following approval by the commissioner, subject to the provisions of paragraph (j). Total annual payments for "other services" for all clients within a county may not exceed either ten percent of that county's annual alternative care program base allocation or $5,000, whichever is greater. In no case shall this amount exceed the county's total annual alternative care program base allocation; and

(20) environmental modifications.

(b) The county agency must ensure that the funds are not used to supplant services available through other public assistance or services programs.

(c) Unless specified in statute, the service definitions and standards for alternative care services shall be the same as the service definitions and standards specified in the federally approved elderly waiver plan. Except for the county agencies' approval of direct cash payments to clients as described in paragraph (j) or for a provider of supplies and equipment when the monthly cost of the supplies and equipment is less than $250, persons or agencies must be employed by or under a contract with the county agency or the public health nursing agency of the local board of health in order to receive funding under the alternative care program. Supplies and equipment may be purchased from a vendor not certified to participate in the Medicaid program if the cost for the item is less than that of a Medicaid vendor.

(d) The adult foster care rate shall be considered a difficulty of care payment and shall not include room and board. The adult foster care rate shall be negotiated between the county agency and the foster care provider. The alternative care payment for the foster care service in combination with the payment for other alternative care services, including case management, must not exceed the limit specified in subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (6).

(e) Personal care services must meet the service standards defined in the federally approved elderly waiver plan, except that a county agency may contract with a client's relative who meets the relative hardship waiver requirement as defined in section 256B.0627, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (10), to provide personal care services if the county agency ensures supervision of this service by a registered nurse or mental health practitioner.

(f) For purposes of this section, residential care services are services which are provided to individuals living in residential care homes. Residential care homes are currently licensed as board and lodging establishments and are registered with the department of health as providing special services under section 157.17 and are not subject to registration under chapter 144D. Residential care services are defined as "supportive services" and "health-related services." "Supportive services" means the provision of up to 24-hour supervision and oversight. Supportive services includes: (1) transportation, when provided by the residential care home only; (2) socialization, when socialization is part of the plan of care, has specific goals and outcomes established, and is not diversional or recreational in nature; (3) assisting clients in setting up meetings and appointments; (4) assisting clients in setting up medical and social services; (5) providing assistance with personal laundry, such as carrying the client's laundry to the laundry room. Assistance with personal laundry does not include any laundry, such as bed linen, that is included in the room and board rate. "Health-related services" are limited to minimal assistance with dressing, grooming, and bathing and providing reminders to residents to take medications that are self-administered or providing storage for medications, if requested. Individuals receiving residential care services cannot receive homemaking services funded under this section.

(g) For the purposes of this section, "assisted living" refers to supportive services provided by a single vendor to clients who reside in the same apartment building of three or more units which are not subject to registration under chapter 144D and are licensed by the department of health as a class A home care provider or a class E home care provider. Assisted living services are defined as up to 24-hour supervision, and oversight, supportive services as defined in clause (1), individualized home care aide tasks as defined in clause (2), and individualized home management tasks as defined in clause (3) provided to residents of a residential center living in their units or apartments with a full kitchen and bathroom. A full kitchen includes a stove, oven, refrigerator, food preparation counter space, and a kitchen utensil storage compartment. Assisted living services must be provided by the management of the residential center or by providers under contract with the management or with the county.

(1) Supportive services include:

(i) socialization, when socialization is part of the plan of care, has specific goals and outcomes established, and is not diversional or recreational in nature;

(ii) assisting clients in setting up meetings and appointments; and

(iii) providing transportation, when provided by the residential center only.

(2) Home care aide tasks means:

(i) preparing modified diets, such as diabetic or low sodium diets;

(ii) reminding residents to take regularly scheduled medications or to perform exercises;

(iii) household chores in the presence of technically sophisticated medical equipment or episodes of acute illness or infectious disease;

(iv) household chores when the resident's care requires the prevention of exposure to infectious disease or containment of infectious disease; and

(v) assisting with dressing, oral hygiene, hair care, grooming, and bathing, if the resident is ambulatory, and if the resident has no serious acute illness or infectious disease. Oral hygiene means care of teeth, gums, and oral prosthetic devices.

(3) Home management tasks means:

(i) housekeeping;

(ii) laundry;

(iii) preparation of regular snacks and meals; and

(iv) shopping.

Individuals receiving assisted living services shall not receive both assisted living services and homemaking services. Individualized means services are chosen and designed specifically for each resident's needs, rather than provided or offered to all residents regardless of their illnesses, disabilities, or physical conditions. Assisted living services as defined in this section shall not be authorized in boarding and lodging establishments licensed according to sections 157.011 and 157.15 to 157.22.

(h) For establishments registered under chapter 144D, assisted living services under this section means either the services described in paragraph (g) and delivered by a class E home care provider licensed by the department of health or the services described under section 144A.4605 and delivered by an assisted living home care provider or a class A home care provider licensed by the commissioner of health.

(i) Payment for assisted living services and residential care services shall be a monthly rate negotiated and authorized by the county agency based on an individualized service plan for each resident and may not cover direct rent or food costs.

(1) The individualized monthly negotiated payment for assisted living services as described in paragraph (g) or (h), and residential care services as described in paragraph (f), shall not exceed the nonfederal share in effect on July 1 of the state fiscal year for which the rate limit is being calculated of the greater of either the statewide or any of the geographic groups' weighted average monthly nursing facility payment rate of the case mix resident class to which the alternative care eligible client would be assigned under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, less the maintenance needs allowance as described in section 256B.0915, subdivision 1d, paragraph (a), until the first day of the state fiscal year in which a resident assessment system, under section 256B.437, of nursing home rate determination is implemented. Effective on the first day of the state fiscal year in which a resident assessment system, under section 256B.437, of nursing home rate determination is implemented and the first day of each subsequent state fiscal year, the individualized monthly negotiated payment for the services described in this clause shall not exceed the limit described in this clause which was in effect on the last day of the previous state fiscal year and which has been adjusted by the greater of any legislatively adopted home and community-based services cost-of-living percentage increase or any legislatively adopted statewide percent rate increase for nursing facilities.

(2) The individualized monthly negotiated payment for assisted living services described under section 144A.4605 and delivered by a provider licensed by the department of health as a class A home care provider or an assisted living home care provider and provided in a building that is registered as a housing with services establishment under chapter 144D and that provides 24-hour supervision in combination with the payment for other alternative care services, including case management, must not exceed the limit specified in subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (6).

(j) A county agency may make payment from their alternative care program allocation for "other services" which include use of "discretionary funds" for services that are not otherwise defined in this section and direct cash payments to the client for the purpose of purchasing the services. The following provisions apply to payments under this paragraph:

(1) a cash payment to a client under this provision cannot exceed 80 percent of the monthly payment limit for that client as specified in subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (6);

(2) a county may not approve any cash payment for a client who meets either of the following:

(i) has been assessed as having a dependency in orientation, unless the client has an authorized representative. An "authorized representative" means an individual who is at least 18 years of age and is designated by the person or the person's legal representative to act on the person's behalf. This individual may be a family member, guardian, representative payee, or other individual designated by the person or the person's legal representative, if any, to assist in purchasing and arranging for supports; or

(ii) is concurrently receiving adult foster care, residential care, or assisted living services;

(3) cash payments to a person or a person's family will be provided through a monthly payment and be in the form of cash, voucher, or direct county payment to a vendor. Fees or premiums assessed to the person for eligibility for health and human services are not reimbursable through this service option. Services and goods purchased through cash payments must be identified in the person's individualized care plan and must meet all of the following criteria:

(i) they must be over and above the normal cost of caring for the person if the person did not have functional limitations;

(ii) they must be directly attributable to the person's functional limitations;

(iii) they must have the potential to be effective at meeting the goals of the program;

(iv) they must be consistent with the needs identified in the individualized service plan. The service plan shall specify the needs of the person and family, the form and amount of payment, the items and services to be reimbursed, and the arrangements for management of the individual grant; and

(v) the person, the person's family, or the legal representative shall be provided sufficient information to ensure an informed choice of alternatives. The local agency shall document this information in the person's care plan, including the type and level of expenditures to be reimbursed;

(4) the county, lead agency under contract, or tribal government under contract to administer the alternative care program shall not be liable for damages, injuries, or liabilities sustained through the purchase of direct supports or goods by the person, the person's family, or the authorized representative with funds received through the cash payments under this section. Liabilities include, but are not limited to, workers' compensation, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), or the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA);

(5) persons receiving grants under this section shall have the following responsibilities:

(i) spend the grant money in a manner consistent with their individualized service plan with the local agency;

(ii) notify the local agency of any necessary changes in the grant expenditures;

(iii) arrange and pay for supports; and

(iv) inform the local agency of areas where they have experienced difficulty securing or maintaining supports; and

(6) the county shall report client outcomes, services, and costs under this paragraph in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.

(k) Upon implementation of direct cash payments to clients under this section, any person determined eligible for the alternative care program who chooses a cash payment approved by the county agency shall receive the cash payment under this section and not under section 256.476 unless the person was receiving a consumer support grant under section 256.476 before implementation of direct cash payments under this section.

Subd. 6. Alternative care program administration. The alternative care program is administered by the county agency. This agency is the lead agency responsible for the local administration of the alternative care program as described in this section. However, it may contract with the public health nursing service to be the lead agency. The commissioner may contract with federally recognized Indian tribes with a reservation in Minnesota to serve as the lead agency responsible for the local administration of the alternative care program as described in the contract.

Subd. 7. Case management. Providers of case management services for persons receiving services funded by the alternative care program must meet the qualification requirements and standards specified in section 256B.0915, subdivision 1b. The case manager must not approve alternative care funding for a client in any setting in which the case manager cannot reasonably ensure the client's health and safety. The case manager is responsible for the cost-effectiveness of the alternative care individual care plan and must not approve any care plan in which the cost of services funded by alternative care and client contributions exceeds the limit specified in section 256B.0915, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). The county may allow a case manager employed by the county to delegate certain aspects of the case management activity to another individual employed by the county provided there is oversight of the individual by the case manager. The case manager may not delegate those aspects which require professional judgment including assessments, reassessments, and care plan development.

Subd. 8. Requirements for individual care plan. (a) The case manager shall implement the plan of care for each alternative care client and ensure that a client's service needs and eligibility are reassessed at least every 12 months. The plan shall include any services prescribed by the individual's attending physician as necessary to allow the individual to remain in a community setting. In developing the individual's care plan, the case manager should include the use of volunteers from families and neighbors, religious organizations, social clubs, and civic and service organizations to support the formal home care services. The county shall be held harmless for damages or injuries sustained through the use of volunteers under this subdivision including workers' compensation liability. The lead agency shall provide documentation in each individual's plan of care and, if requested, to the commissioner that the most cost-effective alternatives available have been offered to the individual and that the individual was free to choose among available qualified providers, both public and private. The case manager must give the individual a ten-day written notice of any decrease in or termination of alternative care services.

(b) If the county administering alternative care services is different than the county of financial responsibility, the care plan may be implemented without the approval of the county of financial responsibility.

Subd. 9. Contracting provisions for providers. Alternative care funds paid to service providers are subject to audit by the commissioner for fiscal and utilization control.

The lead agency must select providers for contracts or agreements using the following criteria and other criteria established by the county:

(1) the need for the particular services offered by the provider;

(2) the population to be served, including the number of clients, the length of time services will be provided, and the medical condition of clients;

(3) the geographic area to be served;

(4) quality assurance methods, including appropriate licensure, certification, or standards, and supervision of employees when needed;

(5) rates for each service and unit of service exclusive of county administrative costs;

(6) evaluation of services previously delivered by the provider; and

(7) contract or agreement conditions, including billing requirements, cancellation, and indemnification.

The county must evaluate its own agency services under the criteria established for other providers.

Subd. 10. Allocation formula. (a) The alternative care appropriation for fiscal years 1992 and beyond shall cover only alternative care eligible clients. Prior to July 1 of each year, the commissioner shall allocate to county agencies the state funds available for alternative care for persons eligible under subdivision 2.

(b) The adjusted base for each county is the county's current fiscal year base allocation plus any targeted funds approved during the current fiscal year. Calculations for paragraphs (c) and (d) are to be made as follows: for each county, the determination of alternative care program expenditures shall be based on payments for services rendered from April 1 through March 31 in the base year, to the extent that claims have been submitted and paid by June 1 of that year.

(c) If the alternative care program expenditures as defined in paragraph (b) are 95 percent or more of the county's adjusted base allocation, the allocation for the next fiscal year is 100 percent of the adjusted base, plus inflation to the extent that inflation is included in the state budget.

(d) If the alternative care program expenditures as defined in paragraph (b) are less than 95 percent of the county's adjusted base allocation, the allocation for the next fiscal year is the adjusted base allocation less the amount of unspent funds below the 95 percent level.

(e) If the annual legislative appropriation for the alternative care program is inadequate to fund the combined county allocations for a biennium, the commissioner shall distribute to each county the entire annual appropriation as that county's percentage of the computed base as calculated in paragraphs (c) and (d).

Subd. 11. Targeted funding. (a) The purpose of targeted funding is to make additional money available to counties with the greatest need. Targeted funds are not intended to be distributed equitably among all counties, but rather, allocated to those with long-term care strategies that meet state goals.

(b) The funds available for targeted funding shall be the total appropriation for each fiscal year minus county allocations determined under subdivision 10 as adjusted for any inflation increases provided in appropriations for the biennium.

(c) The commissioner shall allocate targeted funds to counties that demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commissioner that they have developed feasible plans to increase alternative care spending. In making targeted funding allocations, the commissioner shall use the following priorities:

(1) counties that received a lower allocation in fiscal year 1991 than in fiscal year 1990. Counties remain in this priority until they have been restored to their fiscal year 1990 level plus inflation;

(2) counties that sustain a base allocation reduction for failure to spend 95 percent of the allocation if they demonstrate that the base reduction should be restored;

(3) counties that propose projects to divert community residents from nursing home placement or convert nursing home residents to community living; and

(4) counties that can otherwise justify program growth by demonstrating the existence of waiting lists, demographically justified needs, or other unmet needs.

(d) Counties that would receive targeted funds according to paragraph (c) must demonstrate to the commissioner's satisfaction that the funds would be appropriately spent by showing how the funds would be used to further the state's alternative care goals as described in subdivision 1, and that the county has the administrative and service delivery capability to use them.

(e) The commissioner shall request applications for targeted funds by November 1 of each year. The counties selected for targeted funds shall be notified of the amount of their additional funding. Targeted funds allocated to a county agency in one year shall be treated as part of the county's base allocation for that year in determining allocations for subsequent years. No reallocations between counties shall be made.

Subd. 12. Client premiums. (a) A premium is required for all alternative care eligible clients to help pay for the cost of participating in the program. The amount of the premium for the alternative care client shall be determined as follows:

(1) when the alternative care client's income less recurring and predictable medical expenses is greater than the recipient's maintenance needs allowance as defined in section 256B.0915, subdivision 1d, paragraph (a), but less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline effective on July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the premium is being computed, and total assets are less than $10,000, the fee is zero;

(2) when the alternative care client's income less recurring and predictable medical expenses is greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline effective on July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the premium is being computed, and total assets are less than $10,000, the fee is 25 percent of the cost of alternative care services or the difference between 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline effective on July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the premium is being computed and the client's income less recurring and predictable medical expenses, whichever is less; and

(3) when the alternative care client's total assets are greater than $10,000, the fee is 25 percent of the cost of alternative care services.

For married persons, total assets are defined as the total marital assets less the estimated community spouse asset allowance, under section 256B.059, if applicable. For married persons, total income is defined as the client's income less the monthly spousal allotment, under section 256B.058.

All alternative care services except case management shall be included in the estimated costs for the purpose of determining 25 percent of the costs.

The monthly premium shall be calculated based on the cost of the first full month of alternative care services and shall continue unaltered until the next reassessment is completed or at the end of 12 months, whichever comes first. Premiums are due and payable each month alternative care services are received unless the actual cost of the services is less than the premium.

(b) The fee shall be waived by the commissioner when:

(1) a person who is residing in a nursing facility is receiving case management only;

(2) a person is applying for medical assistance;

(3) a married couple is requesting an asset assessment under the spousal impoverishment provisions;

(4) a person is found eligible for alternative care, but is not yet receiving alternative care services; or

(5) a person's fee under paragraph (a) is less than $25.

(c) The county agency must record in the state's receivable system the client's assessed premium amount or the reason the premium has been waived. The commissioner will bill and collect the premium from the client. Money collected must be deposited in the general fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for the alternative care program. The client must supply the county with the client's social security number at the time of application. The county shall supply the commissioner with the client's social security number and other information the commissioner requires to collect the premium from the client. The commissioner shall collect unpaid premiums using the Revenue Recapture Act in chapter 270A and other methods available to the commissioner. The commissioner may require counties to inform clients of the collection procedures that may be used by the state if a premium is not paid. This paragraph does not apply to alternative care pilot projects authorized in Laws 1993, First Special Session chapter 1, article 5, section 133, if a county operating under the pilot project reports the following dollar amounts to the commissioner quarterly:

(1) total premiums billed to clients;

(2) total collections of premiums billed; and

(3) balance of premiums owed by clients.

If a county does not adhere to these reporting requirements, the commissioner may terminate the billing, collecting, and remitting portions of the pilot project and require the county involved to operate under the procedures set forth in this paragraph.

(d) The commissioner shall begin to adopt emergency or permanent rules governing client premiums within 30 days after July 1, 1991, including criteria for determining when services to a client must be terminated due to failure to pay a premium.

Subd. 13. County biennial plan. The county biennial plan for long-term care consultation services under section 256B.0911, the alternative care program under this section, and waivers for the elderly under section 256B.0915, shall be incorporated into the biennial Community Social Services Act plan and shall meet the regulations and timelines of that plan.

Subd. 14. Payment and rate adjustments. (a) Payment for provided alternative care services as approved by the client's case manager shall be through the invoice processing procedures of the department's Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS). To receive payment, the county or vendor must submit invoices within 12 months following the date of service. The county agency and its vendors under contract shall not be reimbursed for services which exceed the county allocation.

(b) The county shall negotiate individual rates with vendors and may authorize service payment for actual costs up to the county's current approved rate. Notwithstanding any other rule or statutory provision to the contrary, the commissioner shall not be authorized to increase rates by an annual inflation factor, unless so authorized by the legislature. To improve access to community services and eliminate payment disparities between the alternative care program and the elderly waiver program, the commissioner shall establish statewide maximum service rate limits and eliminate county-specific service rate limits.

(1) Effective July 1, 2001, for service rate limits, except those in subdivision 5, paragraphs (d) and (i), the rate limit for each service shall be the greater of the alternative care statewide maximum rate or the elderly waiver statewide maximum rate.

(2) Counties may negotiate individual service rates with vendors for actual costs up to the statewide maximum service rate limit.

Subd. 15. Repealed, 1998 c 407 art 4 s 69

Subd. 15a. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

Subd. 15b. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

Subd. 15c. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

Subd. 16. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 34

HIST: 1991 c 292 art 7 s 15; 1992 c 464 art 2 s 1; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 56-61; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 62-67; 1Sp1993 c 6 s 12; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 63-69; art 9 s 60; 1995 c 263 s 8; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 23-25; art 4 s 70; art 5 s 21,22; 1997 c 113 s 17; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 36-39; art 11 s 6; 1997 c 225 art 8 s 3; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 36; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 13-16; 2000 c 449 s 1; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 15-27

256B.0914 Conflicts of interest related to Medicaid expenditures.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) "Contract" means a written, fully executed agreement for the purchase of goods and services involving a substantial expenditure of Medicaid funding. A contract under a renewal period shall be considered a separate contract.

(b) "Contractor bid or proposal information" means cost or pricing data, indirect costs, and proprietary information marked as such by the bidder in accordance with applicable law.

(c) "Particular expenditure" means a substantial expenditure as defined below, for a specified term, involving specific parties. The renewal of an existing contract for the substantial expenditure of Medicaid funds is considered a separate, particular expenditure from the original contract.

(d) "Source selection information" means any of the following information prepared for use by the state, county, or independent contractor for the purpose of evaluating a bid or proposal to enter into a Medicaid procurement contract, if that information has not been previously made available to the public or disclosed publicly:

(1) bid prices submitted in response to a solicitation for sealed bids, or lists of the bid prices before bid opening;

(2) proposed costs or prices submitted in response to a solicitation, or lists of those proposed costs or prices;

(3) source selection plans;

(4) technical evaluations plans;

(5) technical evaluations of proposals;

(6) cost or price evaluation of proposals;

(7) competitive range determinations that identify proposals that have a reasonable chance of being selected for award of a contract;

(8) rankings of bids, proposals, or competitors;

(9) the reports and evaluations of source selection panels, boards, or advisory councils; and

(10) other information marked as "source selection information" based on a case-by-case determination by the head of the agency, contractor, designees, or the contracting officer that disclosure of the information would jeopardize the integrity or successful completion of the Medicaid procurement to which the information relates.

(e) "Substantial expenditure" and "substantial amounts" mean a purchase of goods or services in excess of $10,000,000 in Medicaid funding under this chapter or chapter 256L.

Subd. 2. Applicability. (a) Unless provided otherwise, this section applies to:

(1) any state or local officer, employee, or independent contractor who is responsible for the substantial expenditures of medical assistance or MinnesotaCare funding under this chapter or chapter 256L for which federal Medicaid matching funds are available;

(2) any individual who formerly was such an officer, employee, or independent contractor; and

(3) any partner of such a state or local officer, employee, or independent contractor.

(b) This section is intended to meet the requirements of state participation in the Medicaid program at United States Code, title 42, sections 1396a(a)(4) and 1396u-2(d)(3), which require that states have in place restrictions against conflicts of interest in the Medicaid procurement process, that are at least as stringent as those in effect under United States Code, title 41, section 423, and title 18, sections 207 and 208, as they apply to federal employees.

Subd. 3. Disclosure of procurement information. A person described in subdivision 2 may not knowingly disclose contractor bid or proposal information, or source selection information before the award by the state, county, or independent contractor of a Medicaid procurement contract to which the information relates unless the disclosure is otherwise authorized by law. No person, other than as provided by law, shall knowingly obtain contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information before the award of a Medicaid procurement contract to which the information relates.

Subd. 4. Offers of employment. When a person described in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), is participating personally and substantially in a Medicaid procurement for a contract contacts or is contacted by a person who is a bidder or offeror in the same procurement regarding possible employment outside of the entity by which the person is currently employed, the person must:

(1) report the contact in writing to the person's supervisor and employer's ethics officer; and

(2) either:

(i) reject the possibility of employment with the bidder or offeror; or

(ii) be disqualified from further participation in the procurement until the bidder or offeror is no longer involved in that procurement, or all discussions with the bidder or offeror regarding possible employment have terminated without an arrangement for employment. A bidder or offeror may not engage in employment discussions with an official who is subject to this subdivision, until the bidder or offeror is no longer involved in that procurement.

Subd. 5. Acceptance of compensation by a former official. (a) A former official of the state or county, or a former independent contractor, described in subdivision 2 may not accept compensation from a Medicaid contractor of a substantial expenditure as an employee, officer, director, or consultant of the contractor within one year after the former official or independent contractor:

(1) served as the procuring contracting officer, the source selection authority, a member of the source selection evaluation board, or the chief of a financial or technical evaluation team in a procurement in which the contractor was selected for award;

(2) served as the program manager, deputy program manager, or administrative contracting officer for a contract awarded to the contractor; or

(3) personally made decisions for the state, county, or independent contractor to:

(i) award a contract, subcontract, modification of a contract or subcontract, or a task order or delivery order to the contractor;

(ii) establish overhead or other rates applicable to a contract or contracts with the contractor;

(iii) approve issuance of a contract payment or payments to the contractor; or

(iv) pay or settle a claim with the contractor.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit a former official of the state, county, or independent contractor from accepting compensation from any division or affiliate of a contractor not involved in the same or similar products or services as the division or affiliate of the contractor that is responsible for the contract referred to in paragraph (a), clause (1), (2), or (3).

(c) A contractor shall not provide compensation to a former official knowing that the former official is accepting that compensation in violation of this subdivision.

Subd. 6. Permanent restrictions on representation and communication. (a) A person described in subdivision 2, after termination of service with the state, county, or independent contractor, is permanently restricted from knowingly making, with the intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before an officer or employee of a department, agency, or court of the United States, the state of Minnesota and its counties in connection with a particular expenditure:

(1) in which the United States, the state of Minnesota, or a Minnesota county is a party or has a direct and substantial interest;

(2) in which the person participated personally and substantially as an officer, employee, or independent contractor; and

(3) which involved a specific party or parties at the time of participation.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision and subdivisions 7 and 9, "participated" means an action taken through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or other such action.

Subd. 7. Two-year restrictions on representation and communication. No person described in subdivision 2, within two years after termination of service with the state, county, or independent contractor, shall knowingly make, with the intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before any officer or employee of any government department, agency, or court in connection with a particular expenditure:

(1) in which the United States, the state of Minnesota, or a Minnesota county is a party or has a direct and substantial interest;

(2) which the person knows or reasonably should know was actually pending under the official's responsibility as an officer, employee, or independent contractor within one year before the termination of the official's service with the state, county, or independent contractor; and

(3) which involved a specific party or parties at the time the expenditure was pending.

Subd. 8. Exceptions to permanent and two-year restrictions on representation and communication. Subdivisions 6 and 7 do not apply to:

(1) communications or representations made in carrying out official duties on behalf of the United States, the state of Minnesota or local government, or as an elected official of the state or local government;

(2) communications made solely for the purpose of furnishing scientific or technological information; or

(3) giving testimony under oath. A person subject to subdivisions 6 and 7 may serve as an expert witness in that matter, without restriction, for the state, county, or independent contractor. Under court order, a person subject to subdivisions 6 and 7 may serve as an expert witness for others. Otherwise, the person may not serve as an expert witness in that matter.

Subd. 9. Waiver. The commissioner of human services, or the governor in the case of the commissioner, may grant a waiver of a restriction in subdivisions 6 and 7 upon determining that a waiver is in the public interest and that the services of the officer or employee are critically needed for the benefit of the state or county government.

Subd. 10. Acts affecting a personal financial interest. A person described in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (1), who participates in a particular expenditure in which the person has knowledge or has a financial interest, is subject to the penalties in subdivision 12. For purposes of this subdivision, "financial interest" also includes the financial interest of a spouse, minor child, general partner, organization in which the officer or employee is serving as an officer, director, trustee, general partner, or employee, or any person or organization with whom the individual is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment.

Subd. 11. Exceptions to prohibitions regarding financial interest. Subdivision 10 does not apply if:

(1) the person first advises the person's supervisor and the employer's ethics officer regarding the nature and circumstances of the particular expenditure and makes full disclosure of the financial interest and receives in advance a written determination made by the commissioner of human services, or the governor in the case of the commissioner, that the interest is not so substantial as to likely affect the integrity of the services which the government may expect from the officer, employee, or independent contractor;

(2) the financial interest is listed as an exemption at Code of Federal Regulations, title 5, sections 2640.201 to 2640.203, as too remote or inconsequential to affect the integrity of the services of the office, employee, or independent contractor to which the requirement applies.

Subd. 12. Criminal penalties. (a) A person who violates subdivisions 3 to 5 for the purpose of either exchanging the information covered by this section for anything of value, or for obtaining or giving anyone a competitive advantage in the award of a Medicaid contract, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or payment of a fine of not more than $50,000 for each violation, or the amount of compensation which the person received or offered for the prohibited conduct, whichever is greater, or both.

(b) A person who violates a provision of subdivisions 6 to 11 may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or payment of a fine of not more than $50,000 for each violation or the amount of compensation which the person received or offered for the prohibited conduct, whichever amount is greater, or both. A person who willfully engages in conduct in violation of subdivisions 6 to 11 may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $50,000 for each violation or the amount of compensation which the person received or offered for the prohibited conduct, whichever amount is greater, or both.

(c) Nothing in this section precludes prosecution under other laws such as section 609.43.

Subd. 13. Civil penalties and injunctive relief. (a) The Minnesota attorney general may bring a civil action in Ramsey county district court against a person who violates this section. Upon proof of such conduct by a preponderance of evidence, the person is subject to a civil penalty. An individual who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $50,000 for each violation plus twice the amount of compensation which the individual received or offered for the prohibited conduct. An organization that violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500,000 for each violation plus twice the amount of compensation which the organization received or offered for the prohibited conduct.

(b) If the Minnesota attorney general has reason to believe that a person is engaging in conduct in violation of this section, the attorney general may petition the Ramsey county district court for an order prohibiting that person from engaging in such conduct. The court may issue an order prohibiting that person from engaging in such conduct if the court finds that the conduct constitutes such a violation. The filing of a petition under this subdivision does not preclude any other remedy which is available by law.

Subd. 14. Administrative actions. (a) If a state agency, local agency, or independent contractor receives information that a contractor or a person has violated this section, the state agency, local agency, or independent contractor may:

(1) cancel the procurement if a contract has not already been awarded;

(2) rescind the contract; or

(3) initiate suspension or debarment proceedings according to applicable state or federal law.

(b) If the contract is rescinded, the state agency, local agency, or independent contractor is entitled to recover, in addition to any penalty prescribed by law, the amount expended under the contract.

(c) This section does not:

(1) restrict the disclosure of information to or from any person or class of persons authorized to receive that information;

(2) restrict a contractor from disclosing the contractor's bid or proposal information or the recipient from receiving that information;

(3) restrict the disclosure or receipt of information relating to a Medicaid procurement after it has been canceled by the state agency, county agency, or independent contractor before the contract award unless the agency or independent contractor plans to resume the procurement; or

(4) limit the applicability of any requirements, sanctions, contract penalties, and remedies established under any other law or regulation.

(d) No person may file a protest against the award or proposed award of a Medicaid contract alleging a violation of this section unless that person reported the information the person believes constitutes evidence of the offense to the applicable state agency, local agency, or independent contractor responsible for the procurement. The report must be made no later than 14 days after the person first discovered the possible violation.

HIST: 1986 c 444; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 60

256B.0915 Medicaid waiver for home and community-based services for the elderly.

Subdivision 1. Authority. The commissioner is authorized to apply for a home and community-based services waiver for the elderly, authorized under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, in order to obtain federal financial participation to expand the availability of services for persons who are eligible for medical assistance. The commissioner may apply for additional waivers or pursue other federal financial participation which is advantageous to the state for funding home care services for the frail elderly who are eligible for medical assistance. The provision of waivered services to elderly and disabled medical assistance recipients must comply with the criteria approved in the waiver.

Subd. 1a. Elderly waiver case management services. Elderly case management services under the home and community-based services waiver for elderly individuals are available from providers meeting qualification requirements and the standards specified in subdivision 1b. Eligible recipients may choose any qualified provider of elderly case management services.

Subd. 1b. Provider qualifications and standards. The commissioner must enroll qualified providers of elderly case management services under the home and community-based waiver for the elderly under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. The enrollment process shall ensure the provider's ability to meet the qualification requirements and standards in this subdivision and other federal and state requirements of this service. An elderly case management provider is an enrolled medical assistance provider who is determined by the commissioner to have all of the following characteristics:

(1) the demonstrated capacity and experience to provide the components of case management to coordinate and link community resources needed by the eligible population;

(2) administrative capacity and experience in serving the target population for whom it will provide services and in ensuring quality of services under state and federal requirements;

(3) a financial management system that provides accurate documentation of services and costs under state and federal requirements;

(4) the capacity to document and maintain individual case records under state and federal requirements; and

(5) the county may allow a case manager employed by the county to delegate certain aspects of the case management activity to another individual employed by the county provided there is oversight of the individual by the case manager. The case manager may not delegate those aspects which require professional judgment including assessments, reassessments, and care plan development.

Subd. 1c. Case management activities under the state plan. The commissioner shall seek an amendment to the home and community-based services waiver for the elderly to implement the provisions of subdivisions 1a and 1b. If the commissioner is unable to secure the approval of the secretary of health and human services for the requested waiver amendment by December 31, 1993, the commissioner shall amend the medical assistance state plan to provide that case management provided under the home and community-based services waiver for the elderly is performed by counties as an administrative function for the proper and effective administration of the state medical assistance plan. Notwithstanding section 256.025, subdivision 3, the state shall reimburse counties for the nonfederal share of costs for case management performed as an administrative function under the home and community-based services waiver for the elderly.

Subd. 1d. Posteligibility treatment of income and resources for elderly waiver. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 256B.056, the commissioner shall make the following amendment to the medical assistance elderly waiver program effective July 1, 1999, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

A recipient's maintenance needs will be an amount equal to the Minnesota supplemental aid equivalent rate as defined in section 256I.03, subdivision 5, plus the medical assistance personal needs allowance as defined in section 256B.35, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), when applying posteligibility treatment of income rules to the gross income of elderly waiver recipients, except for individuals whose income is in excess of the special income standard according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.236. Recipient maintenance needs shall be adjusted under this provision each July 1.

Subd. 2. Spousal impoverishment policies. The commissioner shall seek to amend the federal waiver and the medical assistance state plan to allow spousal impoverishment criteria as authorized under United States Code, title 42, section 1396r-5, and as implemented in sections 256B.0575, 256B.058, and 256B.059, except that the amendment shall seek to add to the personal needs allowance permitted in section 256B.0575, an amount equivalent to the group residential housing rate as set by section 256I.03, subdivision 5.

Subd. 3. Limits of cases, rates, payments, and forecasting. (a) The number of medical assistance waiver recipients that a county may serve must be allocated according to the number of medical assistance waiver cases open on July 1 of each fiscal year. Additional recipients may be served with the approval of the commissioner.

(b) The monthly limit for the cost of waivered services to an individual elderly waiver client shall be the weighted average monthly nursing facility rate of the case mix resident class to which the elderly waiver client would be assigned under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, less the recipient's maintenance needs allowance as described in subdivision 1d, paragraph (a), until the first day of the state fiscal year in which the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.437 for nursing home rate determination is implemented. Effective on the first day of the state fiscal year in which the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.437 for nursing home rate determination is implemented and the first day of each subsequent state fiscal year, the monthly limit for the cost of waivered services to an individual elderly waiver client shall be the rate of the case mix resident class to which the waiver client would be assigned under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, in effect on the last day of the previous state fiscal year, adjusted by the greater of any legislatively adopted home and community-based services cost-of-living percentage increase or any legislatively adopted statewide percent rate increase for nursing facilities.

(c) If extended medical supplies and equipment or environmental modifications are or will be purchased for an elderly waiver client, the costs may be prorated for up to 12 consecutive months beginning with the month of purchase. If the monthly cost of a recipient's waivered services exceeds the monthly limit established in paragraph (b), the annual cost of all waivered services shall be determined. In this event, the annual cost of all waivered services shall not exceed 12 times the monthly limit of waivered services as described in paragraph (b).

(d) For a person who is a nursing facility resident at the time of requesting a determination of eligibility for elderly waivered services, a monthly conversion limit for the cost of elderly waivered services may be requested. The monthly conversion limit for the cost of elderly waiver services shall be the resident class assigned under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, for that resident in the nursing facility where the resident currently resides until July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.437 for nursing home rate determination is implemented. Effective on July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.437 for nursing home rate determination is implemented, the monthly conversion limit for the cost of elderly waiver services shall be the per diem nursing facility rate as determined by the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.437 for that resident in the nursing facility where the resident currently resides multiplied by 365 and divided by 12, less the recipient's maintenance needs allowance as described in subdivision 1d. The limit under this clause only applies to persons discharged from a nursing facility after a minimum 30-day stay and found eligible for waivered services on or after July 1, 1997. The following costs must be included in determining the total monthly costs for the waiver client:

(1) cost of all waivered services, including extended medical supplies and equipment and environmental modifications; and

(2) cost of skilled nursing, home health aide, and personal care services reimbursable by medical assistance.

(e) Medical assistance funding for skilled nursing services, private duty nursing, home health aide, and personal care services for waiver recipients must be approved by the case manager and included in the individual care plan.

(f) A county is not required to contract with a provider of supplies and equipment if the monthly cost of the supplies and equipment is less than $250.

(g) The adult foster care rate shall be considered a difficulty of care payment and shall not include room and board. The adult foster care service rate shall be negotiated between the county agency and the foster care provider. The elderly waiver payment for the foster care service in combination with the payment for all other elderly waiver services, including case management, must not exceed the limit specified in paragraph (b).

(h) Payment for assisted living service shall be a monthly rate negotiated and authorized by the county agency based on an individualized service plan for each resident and may not cover direct rent or food costs.

(1) The individualized monthly negotiated payment for assisted living services as described in section 256B.0913, subdivision 5, paragraph (g) or (h), and residential care services as described in section 256B.0913, subdivision 5, paragraph (f), shall not exceed the nonfederal share, in effect on July 1 of the state fiscal year for which the rate limit is being calculated, of the greater of either the statewide or any of the geographic groups' weighted average monthly nursing facility rate of the case mix resident class to which the elderly waiver eligible client would be assigned under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059, less the maintenance needs allowance as described in subdivision 1d, paragraph (a), until the July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.437 for nursing home rate determination is implemented. Effective on July 1 of the state fiscal year in which the resident assessment system as described in section 256B.437 for nursing home rate determination is implemented and July 1 of each subsequent state fiscal year, the individualized monthly negotiated payment for the services described in this clause shall not exceed the limit described in this clause which was in effect on June 30 of the previous state fiscal year and which has been adjusted by the greater of any legislatively adopted home and community-based services cost-of-living percentage increase or any legislatively adopted statewide percent rate increase for nursing facilities.

(2) The individualized monthly negotiated payment for assisted living services described in section 144A.4605 and delivered by a provider licensed by the department of health as a class A home care provider or an assisted living home care provider and provided in a building that is registered as a housing with services establishment under chapter 144D and that provides 24-hour supervision in combination with the payment for other elderly waiver services, including case management, must not exceed the limit specified in paragraph (b).

(i) The county shall negotiate individual service rates with vendors and may authorize payment for actual costs up to the county's current approved rate. Persons or agencies must be employed by or under a contract with the county agency or the public health nursing agency of the local board of health in order to receive funding under the elderly waiver program, except as a provider of supplies and equipment when the monthly cost of the supplies and equipment is less than $250.

(j) Reimbursement for the medical assistance recipients under the approved waiver shall be made from the medical assistance account through the invoice processing procedures of the department's Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS), only with the approval of the client's case manager. The budget for the state share of the Medicaid expenditures shall be forecasted with the medical assistance budget, and shall be consistent with the approved waiver.

(k) To improve access to community services and eliminate payment disparities between the alternative care program and the elderly waiver, the commissioner shall establish statewide maximum service rate limits and eliminate county-specific service rate limits.

(1) Effective July 1, 2001, for service rate limits, except those described or defined in paragraphs (g) and (h), the rate limit for each service shall be the greater of the alternative care statewide maximum rate or the elderly waiver statewide maximum rate.

(2) Counties may negotiate individual service rates with vendors for actual costs up to the statewide maximum service rate limit.

(l) Beginning July 1, 1991, the state shall reimburse counties according to the payment schedule in section 256.025 for the county share of costs incurred under this subdivision on or after January 1, 1991, for individuals who are receiving medical assistance.

Subd. 3a. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76; art 4 s 34

Subd. 3b. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76; art 4 s 34

Subd. 3c. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76; art 4 s 34

Subd. 4. Termination notice. The case manager must give the individual a ten-day written notice of any decrease in or termination of waivered services.

Subd. 5. Reassessments for waiver clients. A reassessment of a client served under the elderly waiver must be conducted at least every 12 months and at other times when the case manager determines that there has been significant change in the client's functioning. This may include instances where the client is discharged from the hospital.

Subd. 6. Implementation of care plan. If the county administering waivered services is different than the county of financial responsibility, the care plan may be implemented without the approval of the county of financial responsibility.

Subd. 7. Prepaid elderly waiver services. An individual for whom a prepaid health plan is liable for nursing home services or elderly waiver services according to section 256B.69, subdivision 6a, is not eligible to receive county-administered elderly waiver services under this section.

HIST: 1991 c 292 art 7 s 16; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 62-64; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 68-72; 1Sp1993 c 6 s 13; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 70-74; 1995 c 263 s 9; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 26-28; art 5 s 23,24; 1997 c 113 s 18; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 40-43; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 37,38; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 28-30

256B.0916 Expansion of home and community-based services; management and allocation responsibilities.

Subdivision 1. Reduction of waiting list. (a) The legislature recognizes that as of January 1, 1999, 3,300 persons with mental retardation or related conditions have been screened and determined eligible for the home and community-based waiver services program for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. Many wait for several years before receiving service.

(b) The waiting list for this program shall be reduced or eliminated by June 30, 2003. In order to reduce the number of eligible persons waiting for identified services provided through the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, during the period from July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2003, funding shall be increased to add 100 additional eligible persons each year beyond the February 1999 medical assistance forecast.

(c) The commissioner shall allocate resources in such a manner as to use all resources budgeted for the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation or related conditions according to the priorities listed in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and then to serve other persons on the waiting list. Resources allocated for a fiscal year to serve persons affected by public and private sector ICF/MR closures, but not expected to be expended for that purpose, must be reallocated within that fiscal year to serve other persons on the waiting list, and the number of waiver diversion slots shall be adjusted accordingly.

(d) For fiscal year 2001, at least one-half of the increase in funding over the previous year provided in the February 1999 medical assistance forecast for the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation and related conditions, including changes made by the 1999 legislature, must be used to serve persons who are not affected by public and private sector ICF/MR closures.

Subd. 2. Distribution of funds; partnerships. (a) Beginning with fiscal year 2000, the commissioner shall distribute all funding available for home and community-based waiver services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions to individual counties or to groups of counties that form partnerships to jointly plan, administer, and authorize funding for eligible individuals. The commissioner shall encourage counties to form partnerships that have a sufficient number of recipients and funding to adequately manage the risk and maximize use of available resources.

(b) Counties must submit a request for funds and a plan for administering the program as required by the commissioner. The plan must identify the number of clients to be served, their ages, and their priority listing based on:

(1) requirements in Minnesota Rules, part 9525.1880;

(2) unstable living situations due to the age or incapacity of the primary caregiver;

(3) the need for services to avoid out-of-home placement of children; and

(4) the need to serve persons affected by private sector ICF/MR closures.

The plan must also identify changes made to improve services to eligible persons and to improve program management.

(c) In allocating resources to counties, priority must be given to groups of counties that form partnerships to jointly plan, administer, and authorize funding for eligible individuals and to counties determined by the commissioner to have sufficient waiver capacity to maximize resource use.

(d) Within 30 days after receiving the county request for funds and plans, the commissioner shall provide a written response to the plan that includes the level of resources available to serve additional persons.

(e) Counties are eligible to receive medical assistance administrative reimbursement for administrative costs under criteria established by the commissioner.

Subd. 3. Failure to develop partnerships or submit a plan. (a) By October 1 of each year the commissioner shall notify the county board if any county determined by the commissioner to have insufficient capacity to maximize use of available resources fails to develop a partnership with other counties or fails to submit a plan as required in subdivision 2. The commissioner shall provide needed technical assistance to a county or group of counties that fails to form a partnership or submit a plan. If a county has not joined a county partnership or submitted a plan within 30 days following the notice by the commissioner of its failure, the commissioner shall require and assist that county to develop a plan or contract with another county or group of counties to plan and administer the waiver services program in that county.

(b) Counties may request technical assistance, management information, and administrative support from the commissioner at any time. The commissioner shall respond to county requests within 30 days. Priority shall be given to activities that support the administrative needs of newly formed county partnerships.

Subd. 4. Allowed reserve. Counties or groups of counties participating in partnerships that have submitted a plan under this section may develop an allowed reserve amount to meet crises and other unmet needs of current home and community-based waiver recipients. The amount of the allowed reserve shall be a county specific amount based upon documented past experience and projected need for the coming year described in an allowed reserve plan submitted for approval to the commissioner with the allocation request for the fiscal year.

Subd. 5. Priorities for reassignment of resources and approval of increased capacity. In order to maximize the number of persons served with waiver funds, the commissioner shall monitor county utilization of allocated resources and, as appropriate, reassign resources not utilized and approve increased capacity within available county allocations. Priority consideration for reassignment of resources and approval of increased capacity shall be given to counties with sufficient capacity and counties that form partnerships. In addition to the priorities listed in Minnesota Rules, part 9525.1880, the commissioner shall also give priority consideration to persons whose living situations are unstable due to the age or incapacity of the primary caregiver and to children to avoid out-of-home placement.

Subd. 6. Waiver request. (a) The commissioner shall submit to the federal Health Care Financing Administration by September 1, 1999, a request for a waiver to include an option that would allow waiver service recipients to directly receive 95 percent of the funds that would be allocated to individuals based on written county criteria and procedures approved by the commissioner for the purchase of services to meet their long-term care needs. The waiver request must include a provision requiring recipients who receive funds directly to provide to the commissioner annually, a description of the type of services used, the amount paid for the services purchased, and the amount of unspent funds.

(b) The commissioner, in cooperation with county representatives, waiver service providers, recipients, recipients' families, legal guardians, and advocacy groups, shall develop criteria for:

(1) eligibility to receive funding directly;

(2) determination of the amount of funds made available to each eligible person based on need; and

(3) the accountability required of persons directly receiving funds.

(c) If this waiver is approved and implemented, any unspent money from the waiver services allocation, including the five percent not directly allocated to recipients and any unspent portion of the money that is directly allocated, shall be used to meet the needs of other eligible persons waiting for services funded through the waiver.

(d) The commissioner, in consultation with county social services agencies, waiver services providers, recipients, recipients' families, legal guardians, and advocacy groups shall evaluate the effectiveness of this option within two years of its implementation.

Subd. 6a. Statewide availability of consumer-directed community support services. (a) The commissioner shall submit to the federal Health Care Financing Administration by August 1, 2001, an amendment to the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation or related conditions to make consumer-directed community support services available in every county of the state by January 1, 2002.

(b) If a county declines to meet the requirements for provision of consumer-directed community supports, the commissioner shall contract with another county, a group of counties, or a private agency to plan for and administer consumer-directed community supports in that county.

(c) The state of Minnesota, county agencies, tribal governments, or administrative entities under contract to participate in the implementation and administration of the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation or a related condition, shall not be liable for damages, injuries, or liabilities sustained through the purchase of support by the individual, the individual's family, legal representative, or the authorized representative with funds received through the consumer-directed community support service under this section. Liabilities include but are not limited to: workers' compensation liability, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), or the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA).

Subd. 7. Annual report by commissioner. Beginning November 1, 2001, and each November 1 thereafter, the commissioner shall issue an annual report on county and state use of available resources for the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. For each county or county partnership, the report shall include:

(1) the amount of funds allocated but not used;

(2) the county specific allowed reserve amount approved and used;

(3) the number, ages, and living situations of individuals screened and waiting for services;

(4) the urgency of need for services to begin within one, two, or more than two years for each individual;

(5) the services needed;

(6) the number of additional persons served by approval of increased capacity within existing allocations;

(7) results of action by the commissioner to streamline administrative requirements and improve county resource management; and

(8) additional action that would decrease the number of those eligible and waiting for waivered services.

The commissioner shall specify intended outcomes for the program and the degree to which these specified outcomes are attained.

Subd. 8. Financial information by county. The commissioner shall make available to interested parties, upon request, financial information by county including the amount of resources allocated for the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation and related conditions, the resources committed, the number of persons screened and waiting for services, the type of services requested by those waiting, and the amount of allocated resources not committed.

Subd. 9. Legal representative participation exception. The commissioner, in cooperation with representatives of counties, service providers, service recipients, family members, legal representatives and advocates, shall develop criteria to allow legal representatives to be reimbursed for providing specific support services to meet the person's needs when a plan which assures health and safety has been agreed upon and carried out by the legal representative, the person, and the county. Legal representatives providing support under the home and community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation or related conditions or the consumer support grant program pursuant to section 256.476, shall not be considered to have a direct or indirect service provider interest under section 256B.092, subdivision 7, if a health and safety plan which meets the criteria established has been agreed upon and implemented. By August 1, 2001, the commissioner shall submit, for federal approval, amendments to allow legal representatives to provide support and receive reimbursement under the home and community-based waiver plan.

HIST: 1Sp1993 c 1 art 4 s 8; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 39; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 61; 2000 c 488 art 11 s 7; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 43-45

256B.0917 Seniors' Agenda for Independent Living (SAIL) projects for a new long-term care strategy.

Subdivision 1. Purpose, mission, goals, and objectives. (a) The purpose of implementing seniors' agenda for independent living (SAIL) projects under this section is to demonstrate a new cooperative strategy for the long-term care system in the state of Minnesota.

The projects are part of the initial plan for a 20-year strategy. The mission of the 20-year strategy is to create a new community-based care paradigm for long-term care in Minnesota in order to maximize independence of the older adult population, and to ensure cost-effective use of financial and human resources. The goals for the 20-year strategy are to:

(1) achieve a broad awareness and use of low-cost home care and other residential alternatives to nursing homes;

(2) develop a statewide system of information and assistance to enable easy access to long-term care services;

(3) develop sufficient alternatives to nursing homes to serve the increased number of people needing long-term care;

(4) maintain the moratorium on new construction of nursing home beds and to lower the percentage of elderly persons served in institutional settings; and

(5) build a community-based approach and community commitment to delivering long-term care services for elderly persons in their homes.

(b) The objective for the fiscal years 1994 and 1995 biennial plan is to continue at least four but not more than six projects in anticipation of a statewide program. These projects will continue the process of implementing:

(1) a coordinated planning and administrative process;

(2) a refocused function of the preadmission screening program;

(3) the development of additional home, community, and residential alternatives to nursing homes;

(4) a program to support the informal caregivers for elderly persons;

(5) programs to strengthen the use of volunteers; and

(6) programs to support the building of community commitment to provide long-term care for elderly persons.

The services offered through these projects are available to those who have their own funds to pay for services, as well as to persons who are eligible for medical assistance and to persons who are 180-day eligible clients to the extent authorized in this section.

Subd. 2. Design of SAIL projects; local long-term care coordinating team. (a) The commissioner of human services shall contract with SAIL projects in four to six counties or groups of counties to demonstrate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a local long-term care strategy that is consistent with the state's long-term care goals identified in subdivision 1. The commissioner shall publish a notice in the State Register announcing the availability of project funding and giving instructions for making an application. The instructions for the application shall identify the amount of funding available for project components.

(b) To be selected for the project, a county board or boards must establish a long-term care coordinating team consisting of county social service agencies, public health nursing service agencies, local boards of health, a representative of local nursing home providers, a representative of local home care providers, and the area agencies on aging in a geographic area which is responsible for:

(1) developing a local long-term care strategy consistent with state goals and objectives;

(2) submitting an application to be selected as a project;

(3) coordinating planning for funds to provide services to elderly persons, including funds received under Title III of the Older Americans Act, Community Social Services Act, Title XX of the Social Security Act and the Local Public Health Act; and

(4) ensuring efficient services provision and nonduplication of funding.

(c) The board or boards shall designate a public agency to serve as the lead agency. The lead agency receives and manages the project funds from the state and is responsible for the implementation of the local strategy. If selected as a project, the local long-term care coordinating team must semiannually evaluate the progress of the local long-term care strategy in meeting state measures of performance and results as established in the contract.

(d) Each member of the local coordinating team must indicate its endorsement of the local strategy. The local long-term care coordinating team may include in its membership other units of government which provide funding for services to the frail elderly. The team must cooperate with consumers and other public and private agencies, including nursing homes, in the geographic area in order to develop and offer a variety of cost-effective services to the elderly and their caregivers.

(e) The board or boards shall apply to be selected as a project. If the project is selected, the commissioner of human services shall contract with the lead agency for the project and shall provide additional administrative funds for implementing the provisions of the contract, within the appropriation available for this purpose.

(f) Projects shall be selected according to the following conditions.

No project may be selected unless it demonstrates that:

(i) the objectives of the local project will help to achieve the state's long-term care goals as defined in subdivision 1;

(ii) in the case of a project submitted jointly by several counties, all of the participating counties are contiguous;

(iii) there is a designated local lead agency that is empowered to make contracts with the state and local vendors on behalf of all participants;

(iv) the project proposal demonstrates that the local cooperating agencies have the ability to perform the project as described and that the implementation of the project has a reasonable chance of achieving its objectives;

(v) the project will serve an area that covers at least four counties or contains at least 2,500 persons who are 85 years of age or older, according to the projections of the state demographer or the census if the data is more recent; and

(vi) the local coordinating team documents efforts of cooperation with consumers and other agencies and organizations, both public and private, in planning for service delivery.

Subd. 3. Local long-term care strategy. The local long-term care strategy must list performance outcomes and indicators which meet the state's objectives. The local strategy must provide for:

(1) accessible information, assessment, and preadmission screening activities as described in subdivision 4;

(2) an increase in numbers of alternative care clients served under section 256B.0913, including those who are relocated from nursing homes, which results in a reduction of the medical assistance nursing home caseload; and

(3) the development of additional services such as adult family foster care homes; family adult day care; assisted living projects and congregate housing service projects in apartment buildings; expanded home care services for evenings and weekends; expanded volunteer services; and caregiver support and respite care projects.

The county or groups of counties selected for the projects shall be required to comply with federal regulations, alternative care funding policies in section 256B.0913, and the federal waiver programs' policies in section 256B.0915. The requirements for preadmission screening are defined in section 256B.0911, subdivisions 1 to 6. Requirements for an access, screening, and assessment function are defined in subdivision 4. Requirements for the service development and service provision are defined in subdivision 5.

Subd. 4. Accessible information, screening, and assessment function. (a) The projects selected by and under contract with the commissioner shall establish an accessible information, screening, and assessment function for persons who need assistance and information regarding long-term care. This accessible information, screening, and assessment activity shall include information and referral, early intervention, follow-up contacts, telephone screening, home visits, assessments, preadmission screening, and relocation case management for the frail elderly and their caregivers in the area served by the county or counties. The purpose is to ensure that information and help is provided to elderly persons and their families in a timely fashion, when they are making decisions about long-term care. These functions may be split among various agencies, but must be coordinated by the local long-term care coordinating team.

(b) Accessible information, screening, and assessment functions shall be reimbursed as follows:

(1) The screenings of all persons entering nursing homes shall be reimbursed as defined in section 256B.0911, subdivision 6; and

(2) Additional state administrative funds shall be available for the access, screening, and assessment activities that are not reimbursed under clause (1). This amount shall not exceed the amount authorized in the guidelines and in instructions for the application and must be within the amount appropriated for this activity.

(c) Any information and referral functions funded by other sources, such as Title III of the Older Americans Act and Title XX of the Social Security Act and the Community Social Services Act, shall be considered by the local long-term care coordinating team in establishing this function to avoid duplication and to ensure access to information for persons needing help and information regarding long-term care.

(d) The lead agency or the agencies under contract with the lead agency which are responsible for the accessible information, screening, and assessment function must complete the forms and reports required by the commissioner as specified in the contract.

Subd. 5. Service development and service delivery. (a) In addition to the access, screening, and assessment activity, each local strategy may include provisions for the following:

(1) the addition of a full-time staff person who is responsible to develop the following services and recruit providers as established in the contract:

(i) additional adult family foster care homes;

(ii) family adult day care providers as defined in section 256B.0919, subdivision 2;

(iii) an assisted living program in an apartment;

(iv) a congregate housing service project in a subsidized housing project; and

(v) the expansion of evening and weekend coverage of home care services as deemed necessary by the local strategic plan;

(2) small incentive grants to new adult family care providers for renovations needed to meet licensure requirements;

(3) a plan to apply for a congregate housing service project as identified in section 256.9731, authorized by the Minnesota board on aging, to the extent that funds are available;

(4) a plan to divert new applicants to nursing homes and to relocate a targeted population from nursing homes, using the individual's own resources or the funding available for services;

(5) one or more caregiver support and respite care projects, as described in subdivision 6; and

(6) one or more living-at-home/block nurse projects, as described in subdivisions 7 to 10.

(b) The expansion of alternative care clients under paragraph (a) shall be accomplished with the funds provided under section 256B.0913, and includes the allocation of targeted funds. The funding for all participating counties must be coordinated by the local long-term care coordinating team and must be part of the local long-term care strategy. Alternative care funds may be transferred from one SAIL county to another within a designated SAIL project area during a fiscal year as authorized by the local long-term care coordinating team and approved by the commissioner. The base allocation used for a future year shall reflect the final transfer. Each county retains responsibility for reimbursement as defined in section 256B.0913, subdivision 12. All other requirements for the alternative care program must be met unless an exception is provided in this section. The commissioner may establish by contract a reimbursement mechanism for alternative care that does not require invoice processing through the Medical Assistance Management Information System (MMIS). The commissioner and local agencies must assure that the same client and reimbursement data is obtained as is available under MMIS.

(c) The administration of these components is the responsibility of the agencies selected by the local coordinating team and under contract with the local lead agency. However, administrative funds for paragraph (a), clauses (2) to (5), and grant funds for paragraph (a), clauses (6) and (7), shall be granted to the local lead agency. The funding available for each component is based on the plan submitted and the amount negotiated in the contract.

Subd. 6. Caregiver support and respite care projects. (a) The commissioner shall establish up to 36 projects to expand the respite care network in the state and to support caregivers in their responsibilities for care. The purpose of each project shall be to:

(1) establish a local coordinated network of volunteer and paid respite workers;

(2) coordinate assignment of respite workers to clients and care receivers and assure the health and safety of the client; and

(3) provide training for caregivers and ensure that support groups are available in the community.

(b) The caregiver support and respite care funds shall be available to the four to six local long-term care strategy projects designated in subdivisions 1 to 5.

(c) The commissioner shall publish a notice in the State Register to solicit proposals from public or private nonprofit agencies for the projects not included in the four to six local long-term care strategy projects defined in subdivision 2. A county agency may, alone or in combination with other county agencies, apply for caregiver support and respite care project funds. A public or nonprofit agency within a designated SAIL project area may apply for project funds if the agency has a letter of agreement with the county or counties in which services will be developed, stating the intention of the county or counties to coordinate their activities with the agency requesting a grant.

(d) The commissioner shall select grantees based on the following criteria:

(1) the ability of the proposal to demonstrate need in the area served, as evidenced by a community needs assessment or other demographic data;

(2) the ability of the proposal to clearly describe how the project will achieve the purpose defined in paragraph (b);

(3) the ability of the proposal to reach underserved populations;

(4) the ability of the proposal to demonstrate community commitment to the project, as evidenced by letters of support and cooperation as well as formation of a community task force;

(5) the ability of the proposal to clearly describe the process for recruiting, training, and retraining volunteers; and

(6) the inclusion in the proposal of the plan to promote the project in the community, including outreach to persons needing the services.

(e) Funds for all projects under this subdivision may be used to:

(1) hire a coordinator to develop a coordinated network of volunteer and paid respite care services and assign workers to clients;

(2) recruit and train volunteer providers;

(3) train caregivers;

(4) ensure the development of support groups for caregivers;

(5) advertise the availability of the caregiver support and respite care project; and

(6) purchase equipment to maintain a system of assigning workers to clients.

(f) Project funds may not be used to supplant existing funding sources.

Subd. 7. Contract. (a) The commissioner of human services shall execute a contract with Living at Home/Block Nurse Program, Inc. (LAH/BN, Inc.). The contract shall require LAH/BN, Inc. to:

(1) develop criteria for and award grants to establish community-based organizations that will implement living-at-home/block nurse programs throughout the state;

(2) award grants to enable living-at-home/block nurse programs to continue to implement the combined living-at-home/block nurse program model;

(3) serve as a state technical assistance center to assist and coordinate the living-at-home/block nurse programs established; and

(4) manage contracts with individual living-at-home/block nurse programs.

(b) The contract shall be effective July 1, 1997, and section 16B.17 shall not apply.

Subd. 8. Living-at-home/block nurse program grant. (a) The organization awarded the contract under subdivision 7, shall develop and administer a grant program to establish or expand up to 33 community-based organizations that will implement living-at-home/block nurse programs that are designed to enable senior citizens to live as independently as possible in their homes and in their communities. At least one-half of the programs must be in counties outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Nonprofit organizations and units of local government are eligible to apply for grants to establish the community organizations that will implement living-at-home/block nurse programs. In awarding grants, the organization awarded the contract under subdivision 7 shall give preference to nonprofit organizations and units of local government from communities that:

(1) have high nursing home occupancy rates;

(2) have a shortage of health care professionals;

(3) are located in counties adjacent to, or are located in, counties with existing living-at-home/block nurse programs; and

(4) meet other criteria established by LAH/BN, Inc., in consultation with the commissioner.

(b) Grant applicants must also meet the following criteria:

(1) the local community demonstrates a readiness to establish a community model of care, including the formation of a board of directors, advisory committee, or similar group, of which at least two-thirds is comprised of community citizens interested in community-based care for older persons;

(2) the program has sponsorship by a credible, representative organization within the community;

(3) the program has defined specific geographic boundaries and defined its organization, staffing and coordination/delivery of services;

(4) the program demonstrates a team approach to coordination and care, ensuring that the older adult participants, their families, the formal and informal providers are all part of the effort to plan and provide services; and

(5) the program provides assurances that all community resources and funding will be coordinated and that other funding sources will be maximized, including a person's own resources.

(c) Grant applicants must provide a minimum of five percent of total estimated development costs from local community funding. Grants shall be awarded for four-year periods, and the base amount shall not exceed $80,000 per applicant for the grant period. The organization under contract may increase the grant amount for applicants from communities that have socioeconomic characteristics that indicate a higher level of need for assistance. Subject to the availability of funding, grants and grant renewals awarded or entered into on or after July 1, 1997, shall be renewed by LAH/BN, Inc. every four years, unless LAH/BN, Inc. determines that the grant recipient has not satisfactorily operated the living-at-home/block nurse program in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (d). Grants provided to living-at-home/block nurse programs under this paragraph may be used for both program development and the delivery of services.

(d) Each living-at-home/block nurse program shall be designed by representatives of the communities being served to ensure that the program addresses the specific needs of the community residents. The programs must be designed to:

(1) incorporate the basic community, organizational, and service delivery principles of the living-at-home/block nurse program model;

(2) provide senior citizens with registered nurse directed assessment, provision and coordination of health and personal care services on a sliding fee basis as an alternative to expensive nursing home care;

(3) provide information, support services, homemaking services, counseling, and training for the client and family caregivers;

(4) encourage the development and use of respite care, caregiver support, and in-home support programs, such as adult foster care and in-home adult day care;

(5) encourage neighborhood residents and local organizations to collaborate in meeting the needs of senior citizens in their communities;

(6) recruit, train, and direct the use of volunteers to provide informal services and other appropriate support to senior citizens and their caregivers; and

(7) provide coordination and management of formal and informal services to senior citizens and their families using less expensive alternatives.

Subd. 9. State technical assistance center. The organization under contract shall be the state technical assistance center to provide orientation and technical assistance, and to coordinate the living-at-home/block nurse programs established. The state resource center shall:

(1) provide communities with criteria in planning and designing their living-at-home/block nurse programs;

(2) provide general orientation and technical assistance to communities who desire to establish living-at-home/block nurse programs;

(3) provide ongoing analysis and data collection of existing and newly established living-at-home/block nurse programs and provide data to the organization performing the independent assessment; and

(4) serve as the living-at-home/block nurse programs' liaison to the legislature and other state agencies.

Subd. 10. Implementation plan. The organization under contract shall develop a plan that specifies a strategy for implementing living-at-home/block nurse programs statewide. The plan must also analyze the data collected by the state technical assistance center and describe the effectiveness of services provided by living-at-home/block nurse programs, including the program's impact on acute care costs. The organization shall report to the commissioner of human services and to the legislature by January 1, 1993.

Subd. 11. SAIL evaluation and expansion. The commissioner shall evaluate the success of the SAIL projects against the objective stated in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and recommend to the legislature the continuation or expansion of the long-term care strategy by February 15, 1995.

Subd. 12. Public awareness campaign. The commissioner, with assistance from the commissioner of health and with the advice of the long-term care planning committee, shall contract for a public awareness campaign to educate the general public, seniors, consumers, caregivers, and professionals about the aging process, the long-term care system, and alternatives available including alternative care and residential alternatives. Particular emphasis will be given to informing consumers on how to access the alternatives and obtain information on the long-term care system. The commissioner shall pursue the development of new names for preadmission screening, alternative care, foster care, and other services as deemed necessary for the public awareness campaign.

Subd. 13. Community service grants. The commissioner shall award contracts for grants to public and private nonprofit agencies to establish services that strengthen a community's ability to provide a system of home and community-based services for elderly persons. The commissioner shall use a request for proposal process. The commissioner shall give preference when awarding grants under this section to areas where nursing facility closures have occurred or are occurring. The commissioner shall consider grants for:

(1) caregiver support and respite care projects under subdivision 6;

(2) on-site coordination under section 256.9731;

(3) the living-at-home/block nurse grant under subdivisions 7 to 10; and

(4) services identified as needed for community transition.

HIST: 1991 c 292 art 7 s 17; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 65-72; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 73-79; 1994 c 625 art 8 s 63; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 44,45; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 62; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 36; 2001 c 161 s 46,47; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 4 s 31,32

256B.0919 Adult foster care and family adult day care.

Subdivision 1. Adult foster care licensure capacity. Notwithstanding contrary provisions of the Human Services Licensing Act and rules adopted under it, an adult foster care license holder may care for five adults age 60 years or older who do not have serious and persistent mental illness or a developmental disability.

Subd. 2. Adult foster care; family adult day care. An adult foster care license holder who is not providing care to persons with serious and persistent mental illness or developmental disabilities may also provide family adult day care for adults age 60 years or older who do not have serious and persistent mental illness or a developmental disability. The maximum combined license capacity for adult foster care and family adult day care is five adults. A separate license is not required to provide family adult day care under this subdivision. Foster care homes providing services to five adults shall not be subject to licensure by the commissioner of health under the provisions of chapter 144, 144A, 157, or any other law requiring facility licensure by the commissioner of health.

Subd. 3. County certification of persons providing adult foster care to related persons. A person exempt from licensure under section 245A.03, subdivision 2, who provides adult foster care to a related individual age 65 and older, and who meets the requirements in Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265, may be certified by the county to provide adult foster care. A person certified by the county to provide adult foster care may be reimbursed for services provided and eligible for funding under sections 256B.0913 and 256B.0915, if the relative would suffer a financial hardship as a result of providing care. For purposes of this subdivision, financial hardship refers to a situation in which a relative incurs a substantial reduction in income as a result of resigning from a full-time job or taking a leave of absence without pay from a full-time job to care for the client.

HIST: 1986 c 444; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 18; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 73

256B.092 Case management of persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

Subdivision 1. County of financial responsibility; duties. Before any services shall be rendered to persons with mental retardation or related conditions who are in need of social service and medical assistance, the county of financial responsibility shall conduct or arrange for a diagnostic evaluation in order to determine whether the person has or may have mental retardation or has or may have a related condition. If the county of financial responsibility determines that the person has mental retardation or a related condition, the county shall inform the person of case management services available under this section. Except as provided in subdivision 1g or 4b, if a person is diagnosed as having mental retardation or a related condition, the county of financial responsibility shall conduct or arrange for a needs assessment, develop or arrange for an individual service plan, provide or arrange for ongoing case management services at the level identified in the individual service plan, provide or arrange for case management administration, and authorize services identified in the person's individual service plan developed according to subdivision 1b. Diagnostic information, obtained by other providers or agencies, may be used by the county agency in determining eligibility for case management. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring: (1) assessment in areas agreed to as unnecessary by the case manager and the person, or the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, or (2) assessments in areas where there has been a functional assessment completed in the previous 12 months for which the case manager and the person or person's guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, agree that further assessment is not necessary. For persons under state guardianship, the case manager shall seek authorization from the public guardianship office for waiving any assessment requirements. Assessments related to health, safety, and protection of the person for the purpose of identifying service type, amount, and frequency or assessments required to authorize services may not be waived. To the extent possible, for wards of the commissioner the county shall consider the opinions of the parent of the person with mental retardation or a related condition when developing the person's individual service plan.

Subd. 1a. Case management administration and services. (a) The administrative functions of case management provided to or arranged for a person include:

(1) intake;

(2) diagnosis;

(3) screening;

(4) service authorization;

(5) review of eligibility for services; and

(6) responding to requests for conciliation conferences and appeals according to section 256.045 made by the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor.

(b) Case management service activities provided to or arranged for a person include:

(1) development of the individual service plan;

(2) informing the individual or the individual's legal guardian or conservator, or parent if the person is a minor, of service options;

(3) assisting the person in the identification of potential providers;

(4) assisting the person to access services;

(5) coordination of services;

(6) evaluation and monitoring of the services identified in the plan; and

(7) annual reviews of service plans.

(c) Case management administration and service activities that are provided to the person with mental retardation or a related condition shall be provided directly by county agencies or under contract.

Subd. 1b. Individual service plan. The individual service plan must:

(1) include the results of the assessment information on the person's need for service, including identification of service needs that will be or that are met by the person's relatives, friends, and others, as well as community services used by the general public;

(2) identify the person's preferences for services as stated by the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor;

(3) identify long- and short-range goals for the person;

(4) identify specific services and the amount and frequency of the services to be provided to the person based on assessed needs, preferences, and available resources. The individual service plan shall also specify other services the person needs that are not available;

(5) identify the need for an individual program plan to be developed by the provider according to the respective state and federal licensing and certification standards, and additional assessments to be completed or arranged by the provider after service initiation;

(6) identify provider responsibilities to implement and make recommendations for modification to the individual service plan;

(7) include notice of the right to request a conciliation conference or a hearing under section 256.045;

(8) be agreed upon and signed by the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, and the authorized county representative; and

(9) be reviewed by a health professional if the person has overriding medical needs that impact the delivery of services.

Service planning formats developed for interagency planning such as transition, vocational, and individual family service plans may be substituted for service planning formats developed by county agencies.

Subd. 1c. Repealed, 1991 c 94 s 25; c 292 art 6 s 47

Subd. 1d. Repealed, 1991 c 94 s 25; c 292 art 6 s 47

Subd. 1e. Renumbered subd 1f

Subd. 1e. Coordination, evaluation, and monitoring of services identified in the individual service plan. (a) If the individual service plan identifies the need for individual program plans for authorized services, the case manager shall assure that individual program plans are developed by the providers according to clauses (2) to (5). The providers shall assure that the individual program plans:

(1) are developed according to the respective state and federal licensing and certification requirements;

(2) are designed to achieve the goals of the individual service plan;

(3) are consistent with other aspects of the individual service plan;

(4) assure the health and safety of the person; and

(5) are developed with consistent and coordinated approaches to services among the various service providers.

(b) The case manager shall monitor the provision of services:

(1) to assure that the individual service plan is being followed according to paragraph (a);

(2) to identify any changes or modifications that might be needed in the individual service plan, including changes resulting from recommendations of current service providers;

(3) to determine if the person's legal rights are protected, and if not, notify the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, protection services, or licensing agencies as appropriate; and

(4) to determine if the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, is satisfied with the services provided.

(c) If the provider fails to develop or carry out the individual program plan according to paragraph (a), the case manager shall notify the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, the provider, the respective licensing and certification agencies, and the county board where the services are being provided. In addition, the case manager shall identify other steps needed to assure the person receives the services identified in the individual service plan.

Subd. 1f. County waiting list. The county agency shall maintain a waiting list of persons with developmental disabilities specifying the services needed but not provided. This waiting list shall be used by county agencies to assist them in developing needed services or amending their community social services plan as required in section 256E.09, subdivision 1.

Subd. 1g. Conditions not requiring development of individual service plan. Unless otherwise required by federal law, the county agency is not required to complete an individual service plan as defined in subdivision 1b for:

(1) persons whose families are requesting respite care for their family member who resides with them, or whose families are requesting a family support grant and are not requesting purchase or arrangement of habilitative services; and

(2) persons with mental retardation or related conditions, living independently without authorized services or receiving funding for services at a rehabilitation facility as defined in section 268A.01, subdivision 6, and not in need of or requesting additional services.

Subd. 2. Medical assistance. To assure quality case management to those persons who are eligible for medical assistance, the commissioner shall, upon request:

(a) provide consultation on the case management process;

(b) assist county agencies in the screening and annual reviews of clients review process to assure that appropriate levels of service are provided to persons;

(c) provide consultation on service planning and development of services with appropriate options;

(d) provide training and technical assistance to county case managers; and

(e) authorize payment for medical assistance services according to this chapter and rules implementing it.

Subd. 2a. Medical assistance for case management activities under the state plan Medicaid option. Upon receipt of federal approval, the commissioner shall make payments to approved vendors of case management services participating in the medical assistance program to reimburse costs for providing case management service activities to medical assistance eligible persons with mental retardation or a related condition, in accordance with the state Medicaid plan and federal requirements and limitations.

Subd. 3. Authorization and termination of services. County agency case managers, under rules of the commissioner, shall authorize and terminate services of community and regional treatment center providers according to individual service plans. Services provided to persons with mental retardation or related conditions may only be authorized and terminated by case managers according to (1) rules of the commissioner and (2) the individual service plan as defined in subdivision 1b. Medical assistance services not needed shall not be authorized by county agencies or funded by the commissioner. When purchasing or arranging for unlicensed respite care services for persons with overriding health needs, the county agency shall seek the advice of a health care professional in assessing provider staff training needs and skills necessary to meet the medical needs of the person.

Subd. 4. Home and community-based services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. (a) The commissioner shall make payments to approved vendors participating in the medical assistance program to pay costs of providing home and community-based services, including case management service activities provided as an approved home and community-based service, to medical assistance eligible persons with mental retardation or related conditions who have been screened under subdivision 7 and according to federal requirements. Federal requirements include those services and limitations included in the federally approved application for home and community-based services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions and subsequent amendments.

(b) Effective July 1, 1995, contingent upon federal approval and state appropriations made available for this purpose, and in conjunction with Laws 1995, chapter 207, article 8, section 40, the commissioner of human services shall allocate resources to county agencies for home and community-based waivered services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions authorized but not receiving those services as of June 30, 1995, based upon the average resource need of persons with similar functional characteristics. To ensure service continuity for service recipients receiving home and community-based waivered services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions prior to July 1, 1995, the commissioner shall make available to the county of financial responsibility home and community-based waivered services resources based upon fiscal year 1995 authorized levels.

(c) Home and community-based resources for all recipients shall be managed by the county of financial responsibility within an allowable reimbursement average established for each county. Payments for home and community-based services provided to individual recipients shall not exceed amounts authorized by the county of financial responsibility. For specifically identified former residents of nursing facilities, the commissioner shall be responsible for authorizing payments and payment limits under the appropriate home and community-based service program. Payment is available under this subdivision only for persons who, if not provided these services, would require the level of care provided in an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

Subd. 4a. Demonstration projects. The commissioner may waive state rules governing home and community-based services in order to demonstrate other methods of administering these services and to improve efficiency and responsiveness to individual needs of persons with mental retardation or related conditions, notwithstanding section 14.05, subdivision 4. All demonstration projects approved by the commissioner must comply with state laws and federal regulations, must remain within the fiscal limitations of the home and community-based services program for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, and must assure the health and safety of the persons receiving services according to section 256E.08, subdivision 1.

Subd. 4b. Case management for persons receiving home and community-based services. Persons authorized for and receiving home and community-based services may select from vendors of case management which have provider agreements with the state to provide home and community-based case management service activities. This subdivision becomes effective July 1, 1992, only if the state agency is unable to secure federal approval for limiting choice of case management vendors to the county of financial responsibility.

Subd. 4c. Living arrangements based on a 24-hour plan of care. (a) Notwithstanding the requirements for licensure under Minnesota Rules, part 9525.1860, subpart 6, item D, and upon federal approval of an amendment to the home and community-based services waiver for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, a person receiving home and community-based services may choose to live in their own home without requiring that the living arrangement be licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5050 to 9555.6265, provided the following conditions are met:

(1) the person receiving home and community-based services has chosen to live in their own home;

(2) home and community-based services are provided by a qualified vendor who meets the provider standards as approved in the Minnesota home and community-based services waiver plan for persons with mental retardation or related conditions;

(3) the person, or their legal representative, individually or with others has purchased or rents the home and the person's service provider has no financial interest in the home; and

(4) the service planning team, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9525.0004, subpart 24, has determined that the planned services, the 24-hour plan of care, and the housing arrangement are appropriate to address the health, safety, and welfare of the person.

(b) The county agency may require safety inspections of the selected housing as part of their determination of the adequacy of the living arrangement.

Subd. 5. Federal waivers. (a) The commissioner shall apply for any federal waivers necessary to secure, to the extent allowed by law, federal financial participation under United States Code, title 42, sections 1396 et seq., as amended, for the provision of services to persons who, in the absence of the services, would need the level of care provided in a regional treatment center or a community intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. The commissioner may seek amendments to the waivers or apply for additional waivers under United States Code, title 42, sections 1396 et seq., as amended, to contain costs. The commissioner shall ensure that payment for the cost of providing home and community-based alternative services under the federal waiver plan shall not exceed the cost of intermediate care services including day training and habilitation services that would have been provided without the waivered services.

(b) The commissioner, in administering home and community-based waivers for persons with mental retardation and related conditions, shall ensure that day services for eligible persons are not provided by the person's residential service provider, unless the person or the person's legal representative is offered a choice of providers and agrees in writing to provision of day services by the residential service provider. The individual service plan for individuals who choose to have their residential service provider provide their day services must describe how health, safety, and protection needs will be met by frequent and regular contact with persons other than the residential service provider.

Subd. 6. Rules. The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish required controls, documentation, and reporting of services provided in order to assure proper administration of the approved waiver plan, and to establish policy and procedures to reduce duplicative efforts and unnecessary paperwork on the part of case managers.

Subd. 7. Screening teams. For persons with mental retardation or a related condition, screening teams shall be established which shall evaluate the need for the level of care provided by residential-based habilitation services, residential services, training and habilitation services, and nursing facility services. The evaluation shall address whether home and community-based services are appropriate for persons who are at risk of placement in an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, or for whom there is reasonable indication that they might require this level of care. The screening team shall make an evaluation of need within 60 working days of a request for service by a person with mental retardation or related conditions, and within five working days of an emergency admission of a person to an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. The screening team shall consist of the case manager for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, and a qualified mental retardation professional, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.430, as amended through June 3, 1988. The case manager may also act as the qualified mental retardation professional if the case manager meets the federal definition. County social service agencies may contract with a public or private agency or individual who is not a service provider for the person for the public guardianship representation required by the screening or individual service planning process. The contract shall be limited to public guardianship representation for the screening and individual service planning activities. The contract shall require compliance with the commissioner's instructions and may be for paid or voluntary services. For persons determined to have overriding health care needs and are seeking admission to a nursing facility or an ICF/MR, or seeking access to home and community-based waivered services, a registered nurse must be designated as either the case manager or the qualified mental retardation professional. For persons under the jurisdiction of a correctional agency, the case manager must consult with the corrections administrator regarding additional health, safety, and supervision needs. The case manager, with the concurrence of the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, may invite other individuals to attend meetings of the screening team. No member of the screening team shall have any direct or indirect service provider interest in the case. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the screening team meeting to be separate from the service planning meeting.

Subd. 8. Screening team duties. The screening team shall:

(a) review diagnostic data;

(b) review health, social, and developmental assessment data using a uniform screening tool specified by the commissioner;

(c) identify the level of services appropriate to maintain the person in the most normal and least restrictive setting that is consistent with the person's treatment needs;

(d) identify other noninstitutional public assistance or social service that may prevent or delay long-term residential placement;

(e) assess whether a person is in need of long-term residential care;

(f) make recommendations regarding placement and payment for: (1) social service or public assistance support, or both, to maintain a person in the person's own home or other place of residence; (2) training and habilitation service, vocational rehabilitation, and employment training activities; (3) community residential placement; (4) regional treatment center placement; or (5) a home and community-based service alternative to community residential placement or regional treatment center placement;

(g) evaluate the availability, location, and quality of the services listed in paragraph (f), including the impact of placement alternatives on the person's ability to maintain or improve existing patterns of contact and involvement with parents and other family members;

(h) identify the cost implications of recommendations in paragraph (f);

(i) make recommendations to a court as may be needed to assist the court in making decisions regarding commitment of persons with mental retardation; and

(j) inform the person and the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, that appeal may be made to the commissioner pursuant to section 256.045.

Subd. 8a. County concurrence. (a) If the county of financial responsibility wishes to place a person in another county for services, the county of financial responsibility shall seek concurrence from the proposed county of service and the placement shall be made cooperatively between the two counties. Arrangements shall be made between the two counties for ongoing social service, including annual reviews of the person's individual service plan. The county where services are provided may not make changes in the person's service plan without approval by the county of financial responsibility.

(b) When a person has been screened and authorized for services in an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions or for home and community-based services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, the case manager shall assist that person in identifying a service provider who is able to meet the needs of the person according to the person's individual service plan. If the identified service is to be provided in a county other than the county of financial responsibility, the county of financial responsibility shall request concurrence of the county where the person is requesting to receive the identified services. The county of service may refuse to concur if:

(1) it can demonstrate that the provider is unable to provide the services identified in the person's individual service plan as services that are needed and are to be provided;

(2) in the case of an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, there has been no authorization for admission by the admission review team as required in section 256B.0926; or

(3) in the case of home and community-based services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, the county of service can demonstrate that the prospective provider has failed to substantially comply with the terms of a past contract or has had a prior contract terminated within the last 12 months for failure to provide adequate services, or has received a notice of intent to terminate the contract.

(c) The county of service shall notify the county of financial responsibility of concurrence or refusal to concur no later than 20 working days following receipt of the written request. Unless other mutually acceptable arrangements are made by the involved county agencies, the county of financial responsibility is responsible for costs of social services and the costs associated with the development and maintenance of the placement. The county of service may request that the county of financial responsibility purchase case management services from the county of service or from a contracted provider of case management when the county of financial responsibility is not providing case management as defined in this section and rules adopted under this section, unless other mutually acceptable arrangements are made by the involved county agencies. Standards for payment limits under this section may be established by the commissioner. Financial disputes between counties shall be resolved as provided in section 256G.09.

Subd. 9. Reimbursement. Payment for services shall not be provided to a service provider for any person placed in an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions prior to the person being screened by the screening team. The commissioner shall not deny reimbursement for: (a) a person admitted to an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions who is assessed to need long-term supportive services, if long-term supportive services other than intermediate care are not available in that community; (b) any person admitted to an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions under emergency circumstances; (c) any eligible person placed in the intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions pending an appeal of the screening team's decision; or (d) any medical assistance recipient when, after full discussion of all appropriate alternatives including those that are expected to be less costly than intermediate care for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, the person or the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the parent if the person is a minor, insists on intermediate care placement. The screening team shall provide documentation that the most cost-effective alternatives available were offered to this individual or the individual's legal guardian or conservator.

Subd. 10. Admission of persons to and discharge of persons from regional treatment centers. (a) Prior to the admission of a person to a regional treatment center program for persons with mental retardation, the case manager shall make efforts to secure community-based alternatives. If these alternatives are rejected by the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, or the county agency in favor of a regional treatment center placement, the case manager shall document the reasons why the alternatives were rejected.

(b) When discharge of a person from a regional treatment center to a community-based service is proposed, the case manager shall convene the screening team and in addition to members of the team identified in subdivision 7, the case manager shall invite to the meeting the person's parents and near relatives, and the ombudsman established under section 245.92 if the person is under public guardianship. The meeting shall be convened at a time and place that allows for participation of all team members and invited individuals who choose to attend. The notice of the meeting shall inform the person's parents and near relatives about the screening team process, and their right to request a review if they object to the discharge, and shall provide the names and functions of advocacy organizations, and information relating to assistance available to individuals interested in establishing private guardianships under the provisions of section 252A.03. The screening team meeting shall be conducted according to subdivisions 7 and 8. Discharge of the person shall not go forward without consensus of the screening team.

(c) The results of the screening team meeting and individual service plan developed according to subdivision 1b shall be used by the interdisciplinary team assembled in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.440, to evaluate and make recommended modifications to the individual service plan as proposed. The individual service plan shall specify postplacement monitoring to be done by the case manager according to section 253B.15, subdivision 1a.

(d) Notice of the meeting of the interdisciplinary team assembled in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.440, shall be sent to all team members 15 days prior to the meeting, along with a copy of the proposed individual service plan. The case manager shall request that proposed providers visit the person and observe the person's program at the regional treatment center prior to the discharge. Whenever possible, preplacement visits by the person to proposed service sites should also be scheduled in advance of the meeting. Members of the interdisciplinary team assembled for the purpose of discharge planning shall include but not be limited to the case manager, the person, the person's legal guardian or conservator, parents and near relatives, the person's advocate, representatives of proposed community service providers, representatives of the regional treatment center residential and training and habilitation services, a registered nurse if the person has overriding medical needs that impact the delivery of services, and a qualified mental retardation professional specializing in behavior management if the person to be discharged has behaviors that may result in injury to self or others. The case manager may also invite other service providers who have expertise in an area related to specific service needs of the person to be discharged.

(e) The interdisciplinary team shall review the proposed plan to assure that it identifies service needs, availability of services, including support services, and the proposed providers' abilities to meet the service needs identified in the person's individual service plan. The interdisciplinary team shall review the most recent licensing reports of the proposed providers and corrective action taken by the proposed provider, if required. The interdisciplinary team shall review the current individual program plans for the person and agree to an interim individual program plan to be followed for the first 30 days in the person's new living arrangement. The interdisciplinary team may suggest revisions to the service plan, and all team suggestions shall be documented. If the person is to be discharged to a community intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, the team shall give preference to facilities with a licensed capacity of 15 or fewer beds. Thirty days prior to the date of discharge, the case manager shall send a final copy of the service plan to all invited members of the team, the ombudsman, if the person is under public guardianship, and the advocacy system established under United States Code, title 42, section 6042.

(f) No discharge shall take place until disputes are resolved under section 256.045, subdivision 4a, or until a review by the commissioner is completed upon request of the chief executive officer or program director of the regional treatment center, or the county agency. For persons under public guardianship, the ombudsman may request a review or hearing under section 256.045. Notification schedules required under this subdivision may be waived by members of the team when judged urgent and with agreement of the parents or near relatives participating as members of the interdisciplinary team.

HIST: 1983 c 312 art 9 s 5; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1985 c 21 s 55; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 40-45; 1987 c 305 s 2; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 148,149; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 61; art 6 s 29,30; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 57-61; 1990 c 599 s 1; 1991 c 292 art 6 s 47; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 74; art 9 s 26,27; 1993 c 339 s 15-19; 1995 c 207 art 3 s 19; art 8 s 34; 1997 c 7 art 5 s 30; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 46

256B.0924 Targeted case management services for vulnerable adults and persons with developmental disabilities.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The state recognizes that targeted case management services can decrease the need for more costly services such as multiple emergency room visits or hospitalizations by linking eligible individuals with less costly services available in the community.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given:

(a) "Targeted case management" means services which will assist medical assistance eligible persons to gain access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services. Targeted case management does not include therapy, treatment, legal, or outreach services.

(b) "Targeted case management for adults" means activities that coordinate and link social and other services designed to help eligible persons gain access to needed protective services, social, health care, mental health, habilitative, educational, vocational, recreational, advocacy, legal, chemical, health, and other related services.

Subd. 3. Eligibility. Persons are eligible to receive targeted case management services under this section if the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) are met.

(a) The person must be assessed and determined by the local county agency to:

(1) be age 18 or older;

(2) be receiving medical assistance;

(3) have significant functional limitations; and

(4) be in need of service coordination to attain or maintain living in an integrated community setting.

(b) The person must be a vulnerable adult in need of adult protection as defined in section 626.5572, or is an adult with mental retardation as defined in section 252A.02, subdivision 2, or a related condition as defined in section 252.27, subdivision 1a, and is not receiving home and community-based waiver services.

Subd. 4. Targeted case management service activities. (a) For persons with mental retardation or a related condition, targeted case management services must meet the provisions of section 256B.092.

(b) For persons not eligible as a person with mental retardation or a related condition, targeted case management service activities include:

(1) an assessment of the person's need for targeted case management services;

(2) the development of a written personal service plan;

(3) a regular review and revision of the written personal service plan with the recipient and the recipient's legal representative, and others as identified by the recipient, to ensure access to necessary services and supports identified in the plan;

(4) effective communication with the recipient and the recipient's legal representative and others identified by the recipient;

(5) coordination of referrals for needed services with qualified providers;

(6) coordination and monitoring of the overall service delivery to ensure the quality and effectiveness of services;

(7) assistance to the recipient and the recipient's legal representative to help make an informed choice of services;

(8) advocating on behalf of the recipient when service barriers are encountered or referring the recipient and the recipient's legal representative to an independent advocate;

(9) monitoring and evaluating services identified in the personal service plan to ensure personal outcomes are met and to ensure satisfaction with services and service delivery;

(10) conducting face-to-face monitoring with the recipient at least twice a year;

(11) completing and maintaining necessary documentation that supports and verifies the activities in this section;

(12) coordinating with the medical assistance facility discharge planner in the 180-day period prior to the recipient's discharge into the community; and

(13) a personal service plan developed and reviewed at least annually with the recipient and the recipient's legal representative. The personal service plan must be revised when there is a change in the recipient's status. The personal service plan must identify:

(i) the desired personal short and long-term outcomes;

(ii) the recipient's preferences for services and supports, including development of a person-centered plan if requested; and

(iii) formal and informal services and supports based on areas of assessment, such as: social, health, mental health, residence, family, educational and vocational, safety, legal, self-determination, financial, and chemical health as determined by the recipient and the recipient's legal representative and the recipient's support network.

Subd. 5. Provider standards. County boards or providers who contract with the county are eligible to receive medical assistance reimbursement for adult targeted case management services. To qualify as a provider of targeted case management services the vendor must:

(1) have demonstrated the capacity and experience to provide the activities of case management services defined in subdivision 4;

(2) be able to coordinate and link community resources needed by the recipient;

(3) have the administrative capacity and experience to serve the eligible population in providing services and to ensure quality of services under state and federal requirements;

(4) have a financial management system that provides accurate documentation of services and costs under state and federal requirements;

(5) have the capacity to document and maintain individual case records complying with state and federal requirements;

(6) coordinate with county social service agencies responsible for planning for community social services under chapters 256E and 256F; conducting adult protective investigations under section 626.557, and conducting prepetition screenings for commitments under section 253B.07;

(7) coordinate with health care providers to ensure access to necessary health care services;

(8) have a procedure in place that notifies the recipient and the recipient's legal representative of any conflict of interest if the contracted targeted case management service provider also provides the recipient's services and supports and provides information on all potential conflicts of interest and obtains the recipient's informed consent and provides the recipient with alternatives; and

(9) have demonstrated the capacity to achieve the following performance outcomes: access, quality, and consumer satisfaction.

Subd. 6. Payment for targeted case management. (a) Medical assistance and MinnesotaCare payment for targeted case management shall be made on a monthly basis. In order to receive payment for an eligible adult, the provider must document at least one contact per month and not more than two consecutive months without a face-to-face contact with the adult or the adult's legal representative.

(b) Payment for targeted case management provided by county staff under this subdivision shall be based on the monthly rate methodology under section 256B.094, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), calculated as one combined average rate together with adult mental health case management under section 256B.0625, subdivision 20, except for calendar year 2002. In calendar year 2002, the rate for case management under this section shall be the same as the rate for adult mental health case management in effect as of December 31, 2001. Billing and payment must identify the recipient's primary population group to allow tracking of revenues.

(c) Payment for targeted case management provided by county-contracted vendors shall be based on a monthly rate negotiated by the host county. The negotiated rate must not exceed the rate charged by the vendor for the same service to other payers. If the service is provided by a team of contracted vendors, the county may negotiate a team rate with a vendor who is a member of the team. The team shall determine how to distribute the rate among its members. No reimbursement received by contracted vendors shall be returned to the county, except to reimburse the county for advance funding provided by the county to the vendor.

(d) If the service is provided by a team that includes contracted vendors and county staff, the costs for county staff participation on the team shall be included in the rate for county-provided services. In this case, the contracted vendor and the county may each receive separate payment for services provided by each entity in the same month. In order to prevent duplication of services, the county must document, in the recipient's file, the need for team targeted case management and a description of the different roles of the team members.

(e) Notwithstanding section 256B.19, subdivision 1, the nonfederal share of costs for targeted case management shall be provided by the recipient's county of responsibility, as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, from sources other than federal funds or funds used to match other federal funds.

(f) The commissioner may suspend, reduce, or terminate reimbursement to a provider that does not meet the reporting or other requirements of this section. The county of responsibility, as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, is responsible for any federal disallowances. The county may share this responsibility with its contracted vendors.

(g) The commissioner shall set aside five percent of the federal funds received under this section for use in reimbursing the state for costs of developing and implementing this section.

(h) Notwithstanding section 256.025, subdivision 2, payments to counties for targeted case management expenditures under this section shall only be made from federal earnings from services provided under this section. Payments to contracted vendors shall include both the federal earnings and the county share.

(i) Notwithstanding section 256B.041, county payments for the cost of case management services provided by county staff shall not be made to the state treasurer. For the purposes of targeted case management services provided by county staff under this section, the centralized disbursement of payments to counties under section 256B.041 consists only of federal earnings from services provided under this section.

(j) If the recipient is a resident of a nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or hospital, and the recipient's institutional care is paid by medical assistance, payment for targeted case management services under this subdivision is limited to the last 180 days of the recipient's residency in that facility and may not exceed more than six months in a calendar year.

(k) Payment for targeted case management services under this subdivision shall not duplicate payments made under other program authorities for the same purpose.

(l) Any growth in targeted case management services and cost increases under this section shall be the responsibility of the counties.

Subd. 7. Implementation and evaluation. The commissioner of human services in consultation with county boards shall establish a program to accomplish the provisions of subdivisions 1 to 6. The commissioner in consultation with county boards shall establish performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the targeted case management services. If a county fails to meet agreed upon performance measures, the commissioner may authorize contracted providers other than the county. Providers contracted by the commissioner shall also be subject to the standards in subdivision 6.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 44

256B.0925 Repealed, 1995 c 186 s 51

256B.0926 Admission review team for admissions to intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them in this subdivision.

(b) "Provider" means a provider of community-based intermediate care facility services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

(c) "Facility" means a community-based intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

(d) "Person" means a person with mental retardation or related conditions who is applying for admission to an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

Subd. 2. Admission review team; responsibilities; composition. (a) Before a person is admitted to a facility, an admission review team must assure that the provider can meet the needs of the person as identified in the person's individual service plan required under section 256B.092, subdivision 1.

(b) The admission review team must be assembled pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.440(b)(2). The composition of the admission review team must meet the definition of an interdisciplinary team in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.440. In addition, the admission review team must meet any conditions agreed to by the provider and the county where services are to be provided.

(c) The county in which the facility is located may establish an admission review team which includes at least the following:

(1) a qualified mental retardation professional, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.440;

(2) a representative of the county in which the provider is located;

(3) at least one professional representing one of the following professions: nursing, psychology, physical therapy, or occupational therapy; and

(4) a representative of the provider.

If the county in which the facility is located does not establish an admission review team, the provider shall establish a team whose composition meets the definition of an interdisciplinary team in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.440. The provider shall invite a representative of the county agency where the facility is located to be a member of the admission review team.

Subd. 3. Factors to be considered for admission. (a) The determination of the team to admit a person to the facility must include, but is not limited to, consideration of the following:

(1) the preferences of the person and the person's guardian or family for services of an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions;

(2) the ability of the provider to meet the needs of the person according to the person's individual service plan and the admission criteria established by the provider;

(3) the availability of a bed in the facility and of nonresidential services required by the person as specified in the person's individual service plan; and

(4) the need of the person for the services in the facility to prevent placement of the person in a more restrictive setting.

(b) When there is more than one qualified person applying for admission to the facility, the admission review team shall determine which applicant shall be offered services first, using the criteria established in this subdivision. The admission review team shall document the factors that resulted in the decision to offer services to one qualified person over another. In cases of emergency, a review of the admission by the admission review team must occur within the first 14 days of placement.

Subd. 4. Information from provider. The provider must establish admission criteria based on the level of service that can be provided to persons seeking admission to that facility and must provide the admission review team with the following information:

(1) a copy of the admission and level of care criteria adopted by the provider; and

(2) a written description of the services that are available to the person seeking admission, including day services, professional support services, emergency services, available direct care staffing, supervisory and administrative supports, quality assurance systems, and criteria established by the provider for discharging persons from the facility.

Subd. 5. Establishment of admission review team; notice to provider. When a county agency decides to establish admission review teams for the intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions located in the county, the county agency shall notify the providers of the county agency's intent at least 60 days prior to establishing the teams.

HIST: 1991 c 292 art 6 s 48

256B.0928 Statewide caregiver support and respite care project.

The commissioner shall establish and maintain a statewide caregiver support and respite care project. The project shall:

(1) provide information, technical assistance, and training statewide to county agencies and organizations on direct service models of caregiver support and respite care services;

(2) identify and address issues, concerns, and gaps in the statewide network for caregiver support and respite care;

(3) maintain a statewide caregiver support and respite care resource center;

(4) educate caregivers on the availability and use of caregiver and respite care services;

(5) promote and expand caregiver training and support groups using existing networks when possible; and

(6) apply for and manage grants related to caregiver support and respite care.

HIST: 1992 c 513 art 7 s 75; 1999 c 86 art 2 s 5

256B.093 Services for persons with traumatic brain injuries.

Subdivision 1. State traumatic brain injury program. The commissioner of human services shall:

(1) maintain a statewide traumatic brain injury program;

(2) supervise and coordinate services and policies for persons with traumatic brain injuries;

(3) contract with qualified agencies or employ staff to provide statewide administrative case management and consultation;

(4) maintain an advisory committee to provide recommendations in reports to the commissioner regarding program and service needs of persons with traumatic brain injuries;

(5) investigate the need for the development of rules or statutes for the traumatic brain injury home and community-based services waiver;

(6) investigate present and potential models of service coordination which can be delivered at the local level; and

(7) the advisory committee required by clause (4) must consist of no fewer than ten members and no more than 30 members. The commissioner shall appoint all advisory committee members to one- or two-year terms and appoint one member as chair. Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, the advisory committee does not terminate until June 30, 2005.

Subd. 2. Eligibility. Persons eligible for traumatic brain injury administrative case management and consultation must be eligible medical assistance recipients who have traumatic or certain acquired brain injury and are at risk of institutionalization.

Subd. 3. Traumatic brain injury program duties. The department shall fund administrative case management under this subdivision using medical assistance administrative funds. The traumatic brain injury program duties include:

(1) recommending to the commissioner in consultation with the medical review agent according to Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0500 to 9505.0540, the approval or denial of medical assistance funds to pay for out-of-state placements for traumatic brain injury services and in-state traumatic brain injury services provided by designated Medicare long-term care hospitals;

(2) coordinating the traumatic brain injury home and community-based waiver;

(3) providing ongoing technical assistance and consultation to county and facility case managers to facilitate care plan development for appropriate, accessible, and cost-effective medical assistance services;

(4) providing technical assistance to promote statewide development of appropriate, accessible, and cost-effective medical assistance services and related policy;

(5) providing training and outreach to facilitate access to appropriate home and community-based services to prevent institutionalization;

(6) facilitating appropriate admissions, continued stay review, discharges, and utilization review for neurobehavioral hospitals and other specialized institutions;

(7) providing technical assistance on the use of prior authorization of home care services and coordination of these services with other medical assistance services;

(8) developing a system for identification of nursing facility and hospital residents with traumatic brain injury to assist in long-term planning for medical assistance services. Factors will include, but are not limited to, number of individuals served, length of stay, services received, and barriers to community placement; and

(9) providing information, referral, and case consultation to access medical assistance services for recipients without a county or facility case manager. Direct access to this assistance may be limited due to the structure of the program.

Subd. 3a. Traumatic brain injury case management services. The annual appropriation established under section 171.29, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clause (5), shall be used for traumatic brain injury program services that include, but are not limited to:

(1) collaborating with counties, providers, and other public and private organizations to expand and strengthen local capacity for delivering needed services and supports, including efforts to increase access to supportive residential housing options;

(2) participating in planning and accessing services not otherwise covered in subdivision 3 to allow individuals to attain and maintain community-based services;

(3) providing information, referral, and case consultation to access health and human services for persons with traumatic brain injury not eligible for medical assistance, though direct access to this assistance may be limited due to the structure of the program; and

(4) collaborating on injury prevention efforts.

Subd. 4. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Traumatic brain injury" means a sudden insult or damage to the brain or its coverings, not of a degenerative or congenital nature. The insult or damage may produce an altered state of consciousness and may result in a decrease in cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or physical functioning resulting in partial or total disability.

(b) "Home care services" means medical assistance home care services defined under section 256B.0625, subdivisions 6a, 7, and 19a.

HIST: 1989 c 282 art 3 s 62; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 19; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 76-78; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 80,81; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 75-78; 1996 c 451 art 5 s 25; 2001 c 161 s 48; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 47

256B.094 Child welfare targeted case management services.

Subdivision 1. Definition. "Child welfare targeted case management services" means activities that coordinate social and other services designed to help the child under age 21 and the child's family gain access to needed social services, mental health services, habilitative services, educational services, health services, vocational services, recreational services, and related services including, but not limited to, the areas of volunteer services, advocacy, transportation, and legal services. Case management services include developing an individual service plan and assisting the child and the child's family in obtaining needed services through coordination with other agencies and assuring continuity of care. Case managers must assess the delivery, appropriateness, and effectiveness of services on a regular basis.

Subd. 2. Eligible services. Services eligible for medical assistance reimbursement include:

(1) assessment of the recipient's need for case management services to gain access to medical, social, educational, and other related services;

(2) development, completion, and regular review of a written individual service plan based on the assessment of need for case management services to ensure access to medical, social, educational, and other related services;

(3) routine contact or other communication with the client, the client's family, primary caregiver, legal representative, substitute care provider, service providers, or other relevant persons identified as necessary to the development or implementation of the goals of the individual service plan, regarding the status of the client, the individual service plan, or the goals for the client, exclusive of transportation of the child;

(4) coordinating referrals for, and the provision of, case management services for the client with appropriate service providers, consistent with section 1902(a)(23) of the Social Security Act;

(5) coordinating and monitoring the overall service delivery to ensure quality of services;

(6) monitoring and evaluating services on a regular basis to ensure appropriateness and continued need;

(7) completing and maintaining necessary documentation that supports and verifies the activities in this subdivision;

(8) traveling to conduct a visit with the client or other relevant person necessary to the development or implementation of the goals of the individual service plan; and

(9) coordinating with the medical assistance facility discharge planner in the 30-day period before the client's discharge into the community. This case management service provided to patients or residents in a medical assistance facility is limited to a maximum of two 30-day periods per calendar year.

Subd. 3. Coordination and provision of services. (a) In a county or reservation where a prepaid medical assistance provider has contracted under section 256B.031 or 256B.69 to provide mental health services, the case management provider shall coordinate with the prepaid provider to ensure that all necessary mental health services required under the contract are provided to recipients of case management services.

(b) When the case management provider determines that a prepaid provider is not providing mental health services as required under the contract, the case management provider shall assist the recipient to appeal the prepaid provider's denial pursuant to section 256.045, and may make other arrangements for provision of the covered services.

(c) The case management provider may bill the provider of prepaid health care services for any mental health services provided to a recipient of case management services which the county or tribal social services arranges for or provides and which are included in the prepaid provider's contract, and which were determined to be medically necessary as a result of an appeal pursuant to section 256.045. The prepaid provider must reimburse the mental health provider, at the prepaid provider's standard rate for that service, for any services delivered under this subdivision.

(d) If the county or tribal social services has not obtained prior authorization for this service, or an appeal results in a determination that the services were not medically necessary, the county or tribal social services may not seek reimbursement from the prepaid provider.

Subd. 4. Case management provider. To be eligible to receive medical assistance reimbursement, the case management provider must meet all provider qualification and certification standards under section 256F.10.

Subd. 5. Case manager. To provide case management services, a case manager must be employed or contracted by and authorized by the case management provider to provide case management services and meet all requirements under section 256F.10.

Subd. 6. Medical assistance reimbursement of case management services. (a) Medical assistance reimbursement for services under this section shall be made on a monthly basis. Payment is based on face-to-face or telephone contacts between the case manager and the client, client's family, primary caregiver, legal representative, or other relevant person identified as necessary to the development or implementation of the goals of the individual service plan regarding the status of the client, the individual service plan, or the goals for the client. These contacts must meet the minimum standards in clauses (1) and (2):

(1) there must be a face-to-face contact at least once a month except as provided in clause (2); and

(2) for a client placed outside of the county of financial responsibility, or a client served by tribal social services placed outside the reservation, in an excluded time facility under section 256G.02, subdivision 6, or through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, section 260.851, and the placement in either case is more than 60 miles beyond the county or reservation boundaries, there must be at least one contact per month and not more than two consecutive months without a face-to-face contact.

(b) Except as provided under paragraph (c), the payment rate is established using time study data on activities of provider service staff and reports required under sections 245.482, 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (17), and 256E.08, subdivision 8.

(c) Payments for tribes may be made according to section 256B.0625 or other relevant federally approved rate setting methodology for child welfare targeted case management provided by Indian health services and facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization.

(d) Payment for case management provided by county or tribal social services contracted vendors shall be based on a monthly rate negotiated by the host county or tribal social services. The negotiated rate must not exceed the rate charged by the vendor for the same service to other payers. If the service is provided by a team of contracted vendors, the county or tribal social services may negotiate a team rate with a vendor who is a member of the team. The team shall determine how to distribute the rate among its members. No reimbursement received by contracted vendors shall be returned to the county or tribal social services, except to reimburse the county or tribal social services for advance funding provided by the county or tribal social services to the vendor.

(e) If the service is provided by a team that includes contracted vendors and county or tribal social services staff, the costs for county or tribal social services staff participation in the team shall be included in the rate for county or tribal social services provided services. In this case, the contracted vendor and the county or tribal social services may each receive separate payment for services provided by each entity in the same month. To prevent duplication of services, each entity must document, in the recipient's file, the need for team case management and a description of the roles and services of the team members.

Separate payment rates may be established for different groups of providers to maximize reimbursement as determined by the commissioner. The payment rate will be reviewed annually and revised periodically to be consistent with the most recent time study and other data. Payment for services will be made upon submission of a valid claim and verification of proper documentation described in subdivision 7. Federal administrative revenue earned through the time study, or under paragraph (c), shall be distributed according to earnings, to counties, reservations, or groups of counties or reservations which have the same payment rate under this subdivision, and to the group of counties or reservations which are not certified providers under section 256F.10. The commissioner shall modify the requirements set out in Minnesota Rules, parts 9550.0300 to 9550.0370, as necessary to accomplish this.

Subd. 7. Documentation for case record and claim. (a) The assessment, case finding, and individual service plan shall be maintained in the individual case record under the Data Practices Act, chapter 13. The individual service plan must be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary. Each individual case record must maintain documentation of routine, ongoing, contacts and services. Each claim must be supported by written documentation in the individual case record.

(b) Each claim must include:

(1) the name of the recipient;

(2) the date of the service;

(3) the name of the provider agency and the person providing service;

(4) the nature and extent of services; and

(5) the place of the services.

Subd. 8. Payment limitation. Services that are not eligible for payment as a child welfare targeted case management service include, but are not limited to:

(1) assessments prior to opening a case;

(2) therapy and treatment services;

(3) legal services, including legal advocacy, for the client;

(4) information and referral services that are part of a county's community social services plan, that are not provided to an eligible recipient;

(5) outreach services including outreach services provided through the community support services program;

(6) services that are not documented as required under subdivision 7 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.2165 and 9505.2175;

(7) services that are otherwise eligible for payment on a separate schedule under rules of the department of human services;

(8) services to a client that duplicate the same case management service from another case manager;

(9) case management services provided to patients or residents in a medical assistance facility except as described under subdivision 2, clause (9); and

(10) for children in foster care, group homes, or residential care, payment for case management services is limited to case management services that focus on permanency planning or return to the family home and that do not duplicate the facility's discharge planning services.

HIST: 1Sp1993 c 1 art 3 s 24; 1999 c 139 art 4 s 2; 1999 c 245 art 8 s 6-8; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 17; 2001 c 203 s 11,12

256B.0945 Residential services for children with severe emotional disturbance.

Subdivision 1. Provider qualifications. Counties must arrange to provide residential services for children with severe emotional disturbance according to sections 245.4882, 245.4885, and this section. Services must be provided by a facility that is licensed according to section 245.4882 and administrative rules promulgated thereunder, and under contract with the county. Facilities providing services under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), must be accredited as a psychiatric facility by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, or the Council on Accreditation. Accreditation is not required for facilities providing services under subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

Subd. 2. Covered services. All services must be included in a child's individualized treatment or multiagency plan of care as defined in chapter 245.

(a) For facilities that are institutions for mental diseases according to statute and regulation or are not institutions for mental diseases but are approved by the commissioner to provide services under this paragraph, medical assistance covers the full contract rate, including room and board if the services meet the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 440.160.

(b) For facilities that are not institutions for mental diseases according to federal statute and regulation and are not providing services under paragraph (a), medical assistance covers mental health related services that are required to be provided by a residential facility under section 245.4882 and administrative rules promulgated thereunder, except for room and board.

Subd. 3. Centralized disbursement of medical assistance payments. Notwithstanding section 256B.041, county payments for the cost of residential services provided under this section shall not be made to the state treasurer.

Subd. 4. Payment rates. (a) Notwithstanding sections 256.025, subdivision 2; 256B.19; and 256B.041, payments to counties for residential services provided by a residential facility shall only be made of federal earnings for services provided under this section, and the nonfederal share of costs for services provided under this section shall be paid by the county from sources other than federal funds or funds used to match other federal funds. Payment to counties for services provided according to subdivision 2, paragraph (a), shall be the federal share of the contract rate. Payment to counties for services provided according to subdivision 2, paragraph (b), shall be a proportion of the per day contract rate that relates to rehabilitative mental health services and shall not include payment for costs or services that are billed to the IV-E program as room and board.

(b) The commissioner shall set aside a portion not to exceed five percent of the federal funds earned under this section to cover the state costs of administering this section. Any unexpended funds from the set-aside shall be distributed to the counties in proportion to their earnings under this section.

Subd. 5. Quality measures. Counties must collect and report to the commissioner information on outcomes for services provided under this section using standardized tools that measure the impact of residential treatment programs on child functioning and/or behavior, living stability, and parent and child satisfaction consistent with the goals of sections 245.4876, subdivision 1, and 256F.01. The commissioner shall designate standardized tools to be used and shall collect and analyze individualized outcome data on a statewide basis and report to the legislature by December 1, 2003. The commissioner shall provide standardized tools that measure child and adolescent functionality, placement stability, and satisfaction for youth and family members.

Subd. 6. Federal earnings. Use of new federal funding earned from services provided under this section is limited to:

(1) increasing prevention and early intervention and supportive services to meet the mental health and child welfare needs of the children and families in the system of care;

(2) replacing reductions in federal IV-E reimbursement resulting from new medical assistance coverage;

(3) paying the nonfederal share of additional provider costs due to accreditation and new program standards necessary for Medicaid reimbursement; and

(4) paying for the costs of complying with the data collection and reporting requirements contained in subdivision 5.

For purposes of this section, prevention, early intervention, and supportive services for children and families include alternative responses to child maltreatment reports under chapter 626 and nonresidential children's mental health services outlined in section 245.4875, subdivision 2, and family preservation services outlined in section 256F.05, subdivision 8.

Subd. 7. Maintenance of effort. (a) Counties that receive payment under this section must maintain a level of expenditures such that each year's county expenditures for prevention, early intervention, and supportive services for children and families is at least equal to that county's average expenditures for those services for calendar years 1998 and 1999.

(b) The commissioner may waive the requirements in paragraph (a) if any of the conditions specified in section 256F.13, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (4), items (i) to (iv), are met.

Subd. 8. Reports. The commissioner shall review county expenditures annually using reports required under sections 245.482; 256.01, subdivision 2, clause (17); and 256E.08, subdivision 8, to ensure that counties meet their obligation under subdivision 7, and that the base level of expenditures for prevention, early intervention, and supportive services for children and families and children's mental health residential treatment is continued from sources other than federal funds earned under this section.

Subd. 9. Sanctions. The commissioner may suspend, reduce, or terminate funds for prevention, early intervention, and supportive services for children and families up to the limit of federal revenue earned under this section to a county that does not meet one or all of the requirements of this section. If the commissioner finds evidence of children placed in residential treatment who do not meet the criteria outlined in section 245.4885, subdivision 1, the commissioner may take action to limit inappropriate placements in residential treatment.

Subd. 10. Recommendations. The commissioner shall provide recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2000, regarding any amendments to this section that may be necessary or advisable prior to implementation.

HIST: 1999 c 245 art 8 s 9; 2000 c 340 s 4-11

256B.095 Quality assurance project established.

Effective July 1, 1998, an alternative quality assurance licensing system project for programs for persons with developmental disabilities is established in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties for the purpose of improving the quality of services provided to persons with developmental disabilities. A county, at its option, may choose to have all programs for persons with developmental disabilities located within the county licensed under chapter 245A using standards determined under the alternative quality assurance licensing system project or may continue regulation of these programs under the licensing system operated by the commissioner. The project expires on June 30, 2005.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 7 s 18; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 48

256B.0951 Quality assurance commission.

Subdivision 1. Membership. The region 10 quality assurance commission is established. The commission consists of at least 14 but not more than 21 members as follows: at least three but not more than five members representing advocacy organizations; at least three but not more than five members representing consumers, families, and their legal representatives; at least three but not more than five members representing service providers; at least three but not more than five members representing counties; and the commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee. Initial membership of the commission shall be recruited and approved by the region 10 stakeholders group. Prior to approving the commission's membership, the stakeholders group shall provide to the commissioner a list of the membership in the stakeholders group, as of February 1, 1997, a brief summary of meetings held by the group since July 1, 1996, and copies of any materials prepared by the group for public distribution. The first commission shall establish membership guidelines for the transition and recruitment of membership for the commission's ongoing existence. Members of the commission who do not receive a salary or wages from an employer for time spent on commission duties may receive a per diem payment when performing commission duties and functions. All members may be reimbursed for expenses related to commission activities. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 15.059, subdivision 5, the commission expires on June 30, 2005.

Subd. 2. Authority to hire staff. The commission may hire staff to perform the duties assigned in this section.

Subd. 3. Commission duties. (a) By October 1, 1997, the commission, in cooperation with the commissioners of human services and health, shall do the following: (1) approve an alternative quality assurance licensing system based on the evaluation of outcomes; (2) approve measurable outcomes in the areas of health and safety, consumer evaluation, education and training, providers, and systems that shall be evaluated during the alternative licensing process; and (3) establish variable licensure periods not to exceed three years based on outcomes achieved. For purposes of this subdivision, "outcome" means the behavior, action, or status of a person that can be observed or measured and can be reliably and validly determined.

(b) By January 15, 1998, the commission shall approve, in cooperation with the commissioner of human services, a training program for members of the quality assurance teams established under section 256B.0952, subdivision 4.

(c) The commission and the commissioner shall establish an ongoing review process for the alternative quality assurance licensing system. The review shall take into account the comprehensive nature of the alternative system, which is designed to evaluate the broad spectrum of licensed and unlicensed entities that provide services to clients, as compared to the current licensing system.

(d) The commission shall contract with an independent entity to conduct a financial review of the alternative quality assurance project. The review shall take into account the comprehensive nature of the alternative system, which is designed to evaluate the broad spectrum of licensed and unlicensed entities that provide services to clients, as compared to the current licensing system. The review shall include an evaluation of possible budgetary savings within the department of human services as a result of implementation of the alternative quality assurance project. If a federal waiver is approved under subdivision 7, the financial review shall also evaluate possible savings within the department of health. This review must be completed by December 15, 2000.

(e) The commission shall submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 2001, on the results of the review process for the alternative quality assurance project, a summary of the results of the independent financial review, and a recommendation on whether the project should be extended beyond June 30, 2001.

(f) The commissioner, in consultation with the commission, shall examine the feasibility of expanding the project to other populations or geographic areas and identify barriers to expansion. The commissioner shall report findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 2004.

Subd. 4. Commission's authority to recommend variances of licensing standards. The commission may recommend to the commissioners of human services and health variances from the standards governing licensure of programs for persons with developmental disabilities in order to improve the quality of services by implementing an alternative developmental disabilities licensing system if the commission determines that the alternative licensing system does not adversely affect the health or safety of persons being served by the licensed program nor compromise the qualifications of staff to provide services.

Subd. 5. Variance of certain standards prohibited. The safety standards, rights, or procedural protections under sections 245.825; 245.91 to 245.97; 245A.04, subdivisions 3, 3a, 3b, and 3c; 245A.09, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), clauses (2) and (5); 245A.12; 245A.13; 252.41, subdivision 9; 256B.092, subdivisions 1b, clause (7), and 10; 626.556; 626.557, and procedures for the monitoring of psychotropic medications shall not be varied under the alternative licensing system project. The commission may make recommendations to the commissioners of human services and health or to the legislature regarding alternatives to or modifications of the rules and procedures referenced in this subdivision.

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 7. Waiver of rules. The commissioner of health may exempt residents of intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs/MR) who participate in the three-year quality assurance pilot project established in section 256B.095 from the requirements of Minnesota Rules, chapter 4665, upon approval by the federal government of a waiver of federal certification requirements for ICFs/MR.

Subd. 8. Federal waiver. The commissioner of human services shall seek federal authority to waive provisions of intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs/MR) regulations to enable the demonstration and evaluation of the alternative quality assurance system for ICFs/MR under the project. The commissioner of human services shall apply for any necessary waivers as soon as practicable.

Subd. 9. Evaluation. The commission, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, shall conduct an evaluation of the alternative quality assurance system, and present a report to the commissioner by June 30, 2004.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 7 s 19; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 40; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 63,64; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 49-55

256B.0952 County duties; quality assurance teams.

Subdivision 1. Notification. For each year of the project, region 10 counties shall give notice to the commission and commissioners of human services and health by March 15 of intent to join the quality assurance alternative licensing system, effective July 1 of that year. A county choosing to participate in the alternative licensing system commits to participate until June 30, 2005. Counties participating in the quality assurance alternative licensing system as of January 1, 2001, shall notify the commission and the commissioners of human services and health by March 15, 2001, of intent to continue participation. Counties that elect to continue participation must participate in the alternative licensing system until June 30, 2005.

Subd. 2. Appointment of review council; duties of council. A county or group of counties that chooses to participate in the alternative licensing system shall appoint a quality assurance review council comprised of advocates; consumers, families, and their legal representatives; providers; and county staff. The council shall:

(1) review summary reports from quality assurance team reviews and make recommendations to counties regarding program licensure;

(2) make recommendations to the commission regarding the alternative licensing system and quality assurance process; and

(3) resolve complaints between the quality assurance teams, counties, providers, and consumers, families, and their legal representatives.

Subd. 3. Notice to commissioners. The county, based on reports from quality assurance managers and recommendations from the quality assurance review council regarding the findings of quality assurance teams, shall notify the commissioners of human services and health regarding whether facilities, programs, or services have met the outcome standards for licensure and are eligible for payment.

Subd. 4. Appointment of quality assurance manager. (a) A county or group of counties that chooses to participate in the alternative licensing system shall designate a quality assurance manager and shall establish quality assurance teams in accordance with subdivision 5. The manager shall recruit, train, and assign duties to the quality assurance team members. In assigning team members to conduct the quality assurance process at a facility, program, or service, the manager shall take into account the size of the service provider, the number of services to be reviewed, the skills necessary for team members to complete the process, and other relevant factors. The manager shall ensure that no team member has a financial, personal, or family relationship with the facility, program, or service being reviewed or with any clients of the facility, program, or service.

(b) Quality assurance teams shall report the findings of their quality assurance reviews to the quality assurance manager. The quality assurance manager shall provide the report from the quality assurance team to the county and, upon request, to the commissioners of human services and health, and shall provide a summary of the report to the quality assurance review council.

Subd. 5. Quality assurance teams. Quality assurance teams shall be comprised of county staff; providers; consumers, families, and their legal representatives; members of advocacy organizations; and other involved community members. Team members must satisfactorily complete the training program approved by the commission and must demonstrate performance-based competency. Team members are not considered to be county employees for purposes of workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, or state retirement laws solely on the basis of participation on a quality assurance team. The county may pay a per diem to team members who do not receive a salary or wages from an employer for time spent on alternative quality assurance process matters. All team members may be reimbursed for expenses related to their participation in the alternative process.

Subd. 6. Licensing functions. Participating counties shall perform licensing functions and activities as delegated by the commissioner of human services in accordance with section 245A.16.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 7 s 20; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 56,57

256B.0953 Quality assurance process.

Subdivision 1. Process components. (a) The quality assurance licensing process consists of an evaluation by a quality assurance team of the facility, program, or service according to outcome-based measurements. The process must include an evaluation of a random sample of program consumers. The sample must be representative of each service provided. The sample size must be at least five percent of consumers but not less than three consumers.

(b) All consumers must be given the opportunity to be included in the quality assurance process in addition to those chosen for the random sample.

Subd. 2. Licensure periods. (a) In order to be licensed under the alternative quality assurance process, a facility, program, or service must satisfy the health and safety outcomes approved for the pilot project.

(b) Licensure shall be approved for periods of one to three years for a facility, program, or service that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) and achieves the outcome measurements in the categories of consumer evaluation, education and training, providers, and systems.

Subd. 3. Appeals process. A facility, program, or service may contest a licensing decision of the quality assurance team as permitted under chapter 245A.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 7 s 21

256B.0954 Certain persons defined as mandated reporters.

Members of the quality assurance commission established under section 256B.0951, members of quality assurance review councils established under section 256B.0952, quality assurance managers appointed under section 256B.0952, and members of quality assurance teams established under section 256B.0952 are mandated reporters as that term is defined in sections 626.556, subdivision 3, and 626.5572, subdivision 16.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 7 s 22

256B.0955 Duties of the commissioner of human services.

(a) Effective July 1, 1998, the commissioner of human services shall delegate authority to perform licensing functions and activities, in accordance with section 245A.16, to counties participating in the alternative licensing system. The commissioner shall not license or reimburse a facility, program, or service for persons with developmental disabilities in a county that participates in the alternative licensing system if the commissioner has received from the appropriate county notification that the facility, program, or service has been reviewed by a quality assurance team and has failed to qualify for licensure.

(b) The commissioner may conduct random licensing inspections based on outcomes adopted under section 256B.0951 at facilities, programs, and services governed by the alternative licensing system. The role of such random inspections shall be to verify that the alternative licensing system protects the safety and well-being of consumers and maintains the availability of high-quality services for persons with developmental disabilities.

(c) The commissioner shall provide technical assistance and support or training to the alternative licensing system pilot project.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 7 s 23; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 65

256B.10 Repealed, 1976 c 131 s 2

256B.11 Repealed, 1976 c 131 s 2

256B.12 Legal representation.

The attorney general or the appropriate county attorney appearing at the direction of the attorney general shall be the attorney for the state agency, and the county attorney of the appropriate county shall be the attorney for the local agency in all matters pertaining hereto. To prosecute under this chapter or sections 609.466 and 609.52, subdivision 2, or to recover payments wrongfully made under this chapter, the attorney general or the appropriate county attorney, acting independently or at the direction of the attorney general may institute a criminal or civil action.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 12; 1975 c 437 art 2 s 6; 1976 c 188 s 2

256B.121 Treble damages.

Any vendor of medical care who willfully submits a cost report, rate application or claim for reimbursement for medical care which the vendor knows is a false representation and which results in the payment of public funds for which the vendor is ineligible shall, in addition to other provisions of Minnesota law, be subject to an action by the state of Minnesota or any of its subdivisions or agencies for civil damages. The damages awarded shall include three times the payments which result from the false representation, together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys' fees or their equivalent.

HIST: 1976 c 188 s 4

256B.13 Subpoenas.

Each county agency and the state agency shall have the power to issue subpoenas for witnesses and compel their attendance and the production of papers and writing; and officers and employees designated by any county agency or the state agency may administer oaths and examine witnesses under oath in connection with any application or proceedings hereunder.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 13

256B.14 Relative's responsibility.

Subdivision 1. In general. Subject to the provisions of sections 256B.055, 256B.056, and 256B.06, responsible relative means the parent of a minor recipient of medical assistance or the spouse of a medical assistance recipient.

Subd. 2. Actions to obtain payment. The state agency shall promulgate rules to determine the ability of responsible relatives to contribute partial or complete payment or repayment of medical assistance furnished to recipients for whom they are responsible. All medical assistance exclusions shall be allowed, and a resource limit of $10,000 for nonexcluded resources shall be implemented. Above these limits, a contribution of one-third of the excess resources shall be required. These rules shall not require payment or repayment when payment would cause undue hardship to the responsible relative or that relative's immediate family. These rules shall be consistent with the requirements of section 252.27 for parents of children whose eligibility for medical assistance was determined without deeming of the parents' resources and income. The county agency shall give the responsible relative notice of the amount of the payment or repayment. If the state agency or county agency finds that notice of the payment obligation was given to the responsible relative, but that the relative failed or refused to pay, a cause of action exists against the responsible relative for that portion of medical assistance granted after notice was given to the responsible relative, which the relative was determined to be able to pay.

The action may be brought by the state agency or the county agency in the county where assistance was granted, for the assistance, together with the costs of disbursements incurred due to the action.

In addition to granting the county or state agency a money judgment, the court may, upon a motion or order to show cause, order continuing contributions by a responsible relative found able to repay the county or state agency. The order shall be effective only for the period of time during which the recipient receives medical assistance from the county or state agency.

Subd. 3. Community spouse contribution. The community spouse of an institutionalized person who receives medical assistance under section 256B.059, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), has an obligation to pay for the cost of care equal to the dollar value of assets considered available under section 256B.059, subdivision 5.

Subd. 4. Appeals. A responsible relative may appeal the determination of an obligation to make a contribution under this section according to section 256.045.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 14; 1973 c 725 s 46; 1977 c 448 s 7; 1982 c 640 s 6; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 19; 1984 c 530 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 150,268,270; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 63; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 62; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 79

256B.15 Claims against estates.

Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "medical assistance" includes the medical assistance program under this chapter and the general assistance medical care program under chapter 256D, but does not include the alternative care program for nonmedical assistance recipients under section 256B.0913, subdivision 4.

Subd. 1a. Estates subject to claims. If a person receives any medical assistance hereunder, on the person's death, if single, or on the death of the survivor of a married couple, either or both of whom received medical assistance, the total amount paid for medical assistance rendered for the person and spouse shall be filed as a claim against the estate of the person or the estate of the surviving spouse in the court having jurisdiction to probate the estate or to issue a decree of descent according to sections 525.31 to 525.313.

A claim shall be filed if medical assistance was rendered for either or both persons under one of the following circumstances:

(a) the person was over 55 years of age, and received services under this chapter, excluding alternative care;

(b) the person resided in a medical institution for six months or longer, received services under this chapter excluding alternative care, and, at the time of institutionalization or application for medical assistance, whichever is later, the person could not have reasonably been expected to be discharged and returned home, as certified in writing by the person's treating physician. For purposes of this section only, a "medical institution" means a skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation, nursing facility, or inpatient hospital; or

(c) the person received general assistance medical care services under chapter 256D.

The claim shall be considered an expense of the last illness of the decedent for the purpose of section 524.3-805. Any statute of limitations that purports to limit any county agency or the state agency, or both, to recover for medical assistance granted hereunder shall not apply to any claim made hereunder for reimbursement for any medical assistance granted hereunder. Notice of the claim shall be given to all heirs and devisees of the decedent whose identity can be ascertained with reasonable diligence. The notice must include procedures and instructions for making an application for a hardship waiver under subdivision 5; time frames for submitting an application and determination; and information regarding appeal rights and procedures. Counties are entitled to one-half of the nonfederal share of medical assistance collections from estates that are directly attributable to county effort.

Subd. 1b. Repealed, 2001 c 203 s 19

Subd. 2. Limitations on claims. The claim shall include only the total amount of medical assistance rendered after age 55 or during a period of institutionalization described in subdivision 1a, clause (b), and the total amount of general assistance medical care rendered, and shall not include interest. Claims that have been allowed but not paid shall bear interest according to section 524.3-806, paragraph (d). A claim against the estate of a surviving spouse who did not receive medical assistance, for medical assistance rendered for the predeceased spouse, is limited to the value of the assets of the estate that were marital property or jointly owned property at any time during the marriage.

Subd. 2a. Repealed, 2001 c 203 s 19

Subd. 3. Minor, blind, or disabled children. If a decedent who was single, or who was the surviving spouse of a married couple, is survived by a child who is under age 21 or blind or permanently and totally disabled according to the supplemental security income program criteria, no claim shall be filed against the estate.

Subd. 4. Other survivors. If the decedent who was single or the surviving spouse of a married couple is survived by one of the following persons, a claim exists against the estate in an amount not to exceed the value of the nonhomestead property included in the estate:

(a) a sibling who resided in the decedent medical assistance recipient's home at least one year before the decedent's institutionalization and continuously since the date of institutionalization; or

(b) a son or daughter or a grandchild who resided in the decedent medical assistance recipient's home for at least two years immediately before the parent's or grandparent's institutionalization and continuously since the date of institutionalization, and who establishes by a preponderance of the evidence having provided care to the parent or grandparent who received medical assistance, that the care was provided before institutionalization, and that the care permitted the parent or grandparent to reside at home rather than in an institution.

Subd. 5. Undue hardship. Any person entitled to notice in subdivision 1a has a right to apply for waiver of the claim based upon undue hardship. Any claim pursuant to this section may be fully or partially waived because of undue hardship. Undue hardship does not include action taken by the decedent which divested or diverted assets in order to avoid estate recovery. Any waiver of a claim must benefit the person claiming undue hardship. The commissioner shall have authority to hear claimant appeals, pursuant to section 256.045, when an application for a hardship waiver is denied in whole or part.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 15; 1981 c 360 art 1 s 22; 1Sp1981 c 4 art 1 s 126; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 82; 1988 c 719 art 8 s 15; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 63; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 80,81; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 82,83; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 79-81; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 29,30,61,62; art 5 s 26; 2000 c 400 s 2,3; 2001 c 203 s 17

* NOTE: The amendments to subdivisions 1a and 2 by Laws *1995, chapter 207, article 6, sections 79 and 80, relating only *to the age of a medical assistance recipient for purposes of *estate claims, are effective for persons who are between the *ages of 55 and 64 on or after July 1, 1995, for the total amount *of assistance on or after July 1, 1995. See Laws 1995, chapter *207, article 6, section 125, subdivision 1.

256B.16 Repealed, 1971 c 550 s 2

256B.17 Transfers of property.

Subdivision 1. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 4. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 5. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 7. Exception for asset transfers. An institutionalized spouse, institutionalized before October 1, 1989, for a continuous period, who applies for medical assistance on or after July 1, 1983, may transfer liquid assets to a noninstitutionalized spouse if all of the following conditions apply:

(a) The noninstitutionalized spouse is not applying for or receiving assistance;

(b) Either (1) the noninstitutionalized spouse has less than $10,000 in liquid assets, including assets singly owned and 50 percent of assets owned jointly with the institutionalized spouse; or (2) the noninstitutionalized spouse has less than 50 percent of the total value of nonexempt assets owned by both parties, jointly or individually;

(c) The amount transferred, together with the noninstitutionalized spouse's own assets, totals no more than one-half of the total value of the liquid assets of the parties or $10,000 in liquid assets, whichever is greater; and

(d) The transfer may be effected only once, at the time of initial medical assistance application.

Subd. 8. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 17; 1981 c 360 art 2 s 30; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 20-24; 1984 c 534 s 23; 1985 c 252 s 23; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 83,84; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 151,268; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 98; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 95,96; 1997 c 107 s 7

256B.18 Methods of administration.

The state agency shall prescribe such methods of administration as are necessary for compliance with requirements of the Social Security Act, as amended, and for the proper and efficient operation of the program of assistance hereunder. The state agency shall establish and maintain a system of personnel standards on a merit basis for all such employees of the county agencies and the examination thereof, and the administration thereof shall be directed and controlled exclusively by the state agency except in those counties in which such employees are covered by a merit system that meets the requirements of the state agency and the Social Security Act, as amended.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 18

256B.19 Division of cost.

Subdivision 1. Division of cost. The state and county share of medical assistance costs not paid by federal funds shall be as follows:

(1) ninety percent state funds and ten percent county funds, unless otherwise provided below;

(2) beginning January 1, 1992, 50 percent state funds and 50 percent county funds for the cost of placement of severely emotionally disturbed children in regional treatment centers.

For counties that participate in a Medicaid demonstration project under sections 256B.69 and 256B.71, the division of the nonfederal share of medical assistance expenses for payments made to prepaid health plans or for payments made to health maintenance organizations in the form of prepaid capitation payments, this division of medical assistance expenses shall be 95 percent by the state and five percent by the county of financial responsibility.

In counties where prepaid health plans are under contract to the commissioner to provide services to medical assistance recipients, the cost of court ordered treatment ordered without consulting the prepaid health plan that does not include diagnostic evaluation, recommendation, and referral for treatment by the prepaid health plan is the responsibility of the county of financial responsibility.

Subd. 1a. State reimbursement of counties. Beginning July 1, 1991, the state will reimburse counties according to the payment schedule in section 256.025 for the county share of costs incurred under subdivision 1 on and after January 1, 1991, except for costs described in subdivision 1, clause (2). Payment to counties under this subdivision is subject to the provisions of section 256.017.

Subd. 1b. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 76

Subd. 1c. Additional portion of nonfederal share. (a) Hennepin county shall be responsible for a monthly transfer payment of $1,500,000, due before noon on the 15th of each month and the University of Minnesota shall be responsible for a monthly transfer payment of $500,000 due before noon on the 15th of each month, beginning July 15, 1995. These sums shall be part of the designated governmental unit's portion of the nonfederal share of medical assistance costs, but shall not be subject to payback provisions of section 256.025.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2001, Hennepin county's payment under paragraph (a) shall be $2,066,000 each month.

(c) Beginning July 1, 2001, the commissioner shall increase annual capitation payments to the metropolitan health plan under section 256B.69 for the prepaid medical assistance program by approximately $3,400,000, plus any available federal matching funds, to recognize higher than average medical education costs.

Subd. 1d. Portion of nonfederal share to be paid by certain counties. In addition to the percentage contribution paid by a county under subdivision 1, the governmental units designated in this subdivision shall be responsible for an additional portion of the nonfederal share of medical assistance cost. For purposes of this subdivision, "designated governmental unit" means the counties of Becker, Beltrami, Clearwater, Cook, Dodge, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake, Pennington, Pipestone, Ramsey, St. Louis, Steele, Todd, Traverse, and Wadena.

Beginning in 1994, each of the governmental units designated in this subdivision shall transfer before noon on May 31 to the state Medicaid agency an amount equal to the number of licensed beds in any nursing home owned and operated by the county, with the county named as licensee, multiplied by $5,723. If two or more counties own and operate a nursing home, the payment shall be prorated. These sums shall be part of the designated governmental unit's portion of the nonfederal share of medical assistance costs, but shall not be subject to payback provisions of section 256.025.

Subd. 2. Distribution of federal funds. Federal funds available for administrative purposes shall be distributed between the state and the county in the same proportion that expenditures were made, except as provided for in section 256.017.

Subd. 2a. Division of costs. The county shall ensure that only the least costly, most appropriate transportation and travel expenses are used. The state may enter into volume purchase contracts, or use a competitive bidding process, whenever feasible, to minimize the costs of transportation services. If the state has entered into a volume purchase contract or used the competitive bidding procedures of chapter 16C to arrange for transportation services, the county may be required to use such arrangements.

Subd. 2b. Pilot project reimbursement. In counties where a pilot or demonstration project is operated under the medical assistance program, the state may pay 100 percent of the administrative costs for the pilot or demonstration project after June 30, 1990. Reimbursement for these costs is subject to section 256.025.

Subd. 2c. Obligation of local agency to investigate and determine eligibility for medical assistance. (a) When the commissioner receives information that indicates that a general assistance medical care recipient or MinnesotaCare program enrollee may be eligible for medical assistance, the commissioner may notify the appropriate local agency of that fact. The local agency must investigate eligibility for medical assistance and take appropriate action and notify the commissioner of that action within 90 days from the date notice is issued. If the person is eligible for medical assistance, the local agency must find eligibility retroactively to the date on which the person met all eligibility requirements.

(b) When a prepaid health plan under a contract with the state to provide medical assistance services notifies the commissioner that an infant has been or will be born to an enrollee under the contract, the commissioner may notify the appropriate local agency of that fact. The local agency must investigate eligibility for medical assistance for the infant, take appropriate action, and notify the commissioner of that action within 90 days from the date notice is issued. If the infant would have been eligible on the date of birth, the local agency must establish eligibility retroactively to that month.

(c) For general assistance medical care recipients and MinnesotaCare program enrollees, if the local agency fails to comply with paragraph (a), the local agency is responsible for the entire cost of general assistance medical care or MinnesotaCare program services provided from the date the commissioner issues the notice until the date the local agency takes appropriate action on the case and notifies the commissioner of the action. For infants, if the local agency fails to comply with paragraph (b), the commissioner may determine eligibility for medical assistance for the infant for a period of two months, and the local agency shall be responsible for the entire cost of medical assistance services provided for that infant, in addition to a fee of $100 for processing the case. The commissioner shall deduct any obligation incurred under this paragraph from the amount due to the local agency under subdivision 1.

Subd. 3. Study of medical assistance financial participation. The commissioner shall study the feasibility and outcomes of implementing a variable medical assistance county financial participation rate for long-term care services to mentally retarded persons in order to encourage the utilization of alternative services to long-term intermediate care for the mentally retarded. The commissioner shall submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 20, 1984.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 19; 1971 c 547 s 1; 1975 c 437 art 2 s 7; 1982 c 640 s 7; 1983 c 312 art 9 s 6; 1984 c 534 s 24; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 46; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 85; 1988 c 719 art 8 s 16,17; 1Sp1989 c 1 art 16 s 8,9; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 64; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 51-53; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 82; 1993 c 13 art 1 s 32; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 84-86; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 82-84; 1995 c 234 art 8 s 56; 1997 c 203 art 11 s 7; 1998 c 386 art 2 s 80; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 45

256B.195 Additional intergovernmental transfers; hospital payments.

Subdivision 1. Federal approval required. Sections 145.9268, 256.969, subdivision 26, and this section are contingent on federal approval of the intergovernmental transfers and payments to safety net hospitals and community clinics authorized under this section. These sections are also contingent on current payment, by the government entities, of intergovernmental transfers under section 256B.19 and this section.

Subd. 2. Payments from governmental entities. (a) In addition to any payment required under section 256B.19, effective July 15, 2001, the following government entities shall make the payments indicated before noon on the 15th of each month:

(1) Hennepin county, $2,000,000; and

(2) Ramsey county, $1,000,000.

(b) These sums shall be part of the designated governmental unit's portion of the nonfederal share of medical assistance costs. Of these payments, Hennepin county shall pay 71 percent directly to Hennepin County Medical Center, and Ramsey county shall pay 71 percent directly to Regions hospital. The counties must provide certification to the commissioner of payments to hospitals under this subdivision.

Subd. 3. Payments to certain safety net providers. (a) Effective July 15, 2001, the commissioner shall make the following payments to the hospitals indicated after noon on the 15th of each month:

(1) to Hennepin County Medical Center, any federal matching funds available to match the payments received by the medical center under subdivision 2, to increase payments for medical assistance admissions and to recognize higher medical assistance costs in institutions that provide high levels of charity care; and

(2) to Regions hospital, any federal matching funds available to match the payments received by the hospital under subdivision 2, to increase payments for medical assistance admissions and to recognize higher medical assistance costs in institutions that provide high levels of charity care.

(b) Effective July 15, 2001, the following percentages of the transfers under subdivision 2 shall be retained by the commissioner for deposit each month into the general fund:

(1) 18 percent, plus any federal matching funds, shall be allocated for the following purposes:

(i) during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001, of the amount available under this clause, 39.7 percent shall be allocated to make increased hospital payments under section 256.969, subdivision 26; 34.2 percent shall be allocated to fund the amounts due from small rural hospitals, as defined in section 144.148, for overpayments under section 256.969, subdivision 5a, resulting from a determination that medical assistance and general assistance payments exceeded the charge limit during the period from 1994 to 1997; and 26.1 percent shall be allocated to the commissioner of health for rural hospital capital improvement grants under section 144.148; and

(ii) during fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2002, of the amount available under this clause, 55 percent shall be allocated to make increased hospital payments under section 256.969, subdivision 26, and 45 percent shall be allocated to the commissioner of health for rural hospital capital improvement grants under section 144.148; and

(2) 11 percent shall be allocated to the commissioner of health to fund community clinic grants under section 145.9268.

(c) This subdivision shall apply to fee-for-service payments only and shall not increase capitation payments or payments made based on average rates.

(d) Medical assistance rate or payment changes, including those required to obtain federal financial participation under section 62J.692, subdivision 8, shall precede the determination of intergovernmental transfer amounts determined in this subdivision. Participation in the intergovernmental transfer program shall not result in the offset of any health care provider's receipt of medical assistance payment increases other than limits resulting from hospital-specific charge limits and limits on disproportionate share hospital payments.

Subd. 4. Adjustments permitted. (a) The commissioner may adjust the intergovernmental transfers under subdivision 2 and the payments under subdivision 3, and payments and transfers under subdivision 5, based on the commissioner's determination of Medicare upper payment limits, hospital-specific charge limits, and hospital-specific limitations on disproportionate share payments. Any adjustments must be made on a proportional basis. If participation by a particular hospital under this section is limited, the commissioner shall adjust the payments that relate to that hospital under subdivisions 2, 3, and 5 on a proportional basis in order to allow the hospital to participate under this section to the fullest extent possible and shall increase other payments under subdivisions 2, 3, and 5 to the extent allowable to maintain the overall level of payments under this section. The commissioner may make adjustments under this subdivision only after consultation with the counties and hospitals identified in subdivisions 2 and 3, and, if subdivision 5 receives federal approval, with the hospital and educational institution identified in subdivision 5.

(b) The ratio of medical assistance payments specified in subdivision 3 to the intergovernmental transfers specified in subdivision 2 shall not be reduced except as provided under paragraph (a).

Subd. 5. Inclusion of Fairview University Medical Center. (a) Upon federal approval of the inclusion of Fairview University Medical Center in the nonstate government category, the commissioner shall establish an intergovernmental transfer with the University of Minnesota in an amount determined by the commissioner based on the increase in the Medicare upper payment limit due solely to the inclusion of Fairview University Medical Center as a nonstate government hospital and limited by hospital-specific charge limits and the amount available under the hospital-specific disproportionate share limit.

(b) The commissioner shall increase payments for medical assistance admissions at Fairview University Medical Center by 71 percent of the transfer plus any federal matching payments on that amount, to increase payments for medical assistance admissions and to recognize higher medical assistance costs in institutions that provide high levels of charity care. From this payment, Fairview University Medical Center shall pay to the University of Minnesota the cost of the transfer, on the same day the payment is received. Eighteen percent of the transfer plus any federal matching payments shall be used as specified in subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (1). Payments under section 256.969, subdivision 26, may be increased above the 90 percent level specified in that subdivision within the limits of additional funding available under this subdivision. Eleven percent of the transfer shall be used to increase the grants under section 145.9268.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 46

256B.20 County appropriations.

The providing of funds necessary to carry out the provisions hereof on the part of the counties and the manner of administering the funds of the counties and the state shall be as follows:

(1) The board of county commissioners of each county shall annually set up in its budget an item designated as the county medical assistance fund and levy taxes and fix a rate therefor sufficient to produce the full amount of such item, in addition to all other tax levies and tax rate, however fixed or determined, sufficient to carry out the provisions hereof and sufficient to pay in full the county share of assistance and administrative expense for the ensuing year; and annually on or before October 10 shall certify the same to the county auditor to be entered by the auditor on the tax rolls. Such tax levy and tax rate shall make proper allowance and provision for shortage in tax collections.

(2) Any county may transfer surplus funds from any county fund, except the sinking or ditch fund, to the general fund or to the county medical assistance fund in order to provide money necessary to pay medical assistance awarded hereunder. The money so transferred shall be used for no other purpose, but any portion thereof no longer needed for such purpose shall be transferred back to the fund from which taken.

(3) Upon the order of the county agency the county auditor shall draw a warrant on the proper fund in accordance with the order, and the county treasurer shall pay out the amounts ordered to be paid out as medical assistance hereunder. When necessary by reason of failure to levy sufficient taxes for the payment of the medical assistance in the county, the county auditor shall carry any such payments as an overdraft on the medical assistance funds of the county until sufficient tax funds shall be provided for such assistance payments. The board of county commissioners shall include in the tax levy and tax rate in the year following the year in which such overdraft occurred, an amount sufficient to liquidate such overdraft in full.

(4) Claims for reimbursement and reports shall be presented to the state agency by the respective counties as required under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (17). The state agency shall audit such claims and certify to the commissioner of finance the amounts due the respective counties without delay. The amounts so certified shall be paid within ten days after such certification, from the state treasury upon warrant of the commissioner of finance from any money available therefor. The money available to the state agency to carry out the provisions hereof, including all federal funds available to the state, shall be kept and deposited by the state treasurer in the revenue fund and disbursed upon warrants in the same manner as other state funds.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 20; 1973 c 492 s 14; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 89 s 11

256B.21 Change of residence.

On changing residence, a recipient shall notify the county agency through which the recipient's medical assistance hereunder is paid. On removing to another county, the recipient shall declare whether such absence is temporary or for the purpose of residing therein.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 21; 1986 c 444

256B.22 Compliance with Social Security Act.

The various terms and provisions hereof, including the amount of medical assistance paid hereunder, are intended to comply with and give effect to the program set out in Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. During any period when federal funds shall not be available or shall be inadequate to pay in full the federal share of medical assistance as defined in Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, as amended by Public Law Number 92-603, the state may reduce by an amount equal to such deficiency the payments it would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to section 256B.041.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 22; 1973 c 717 s 20

256B.23 Use of federal funds.

All federal funds made available for the purposes hereof are hereby appropriated to the state agency to be disbursed and paid out in accordance with the provisions hereof.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 23

256B.24 Prohibitions.

No enrollment fee, premium, or similar charge shall be required as a condition of eligibility for medical assistance hereunder.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 24

256B.25 Payments to certified facilities.

Subdivision 1. Licensing required. Payments may not be made hereunder for care in any private or public institution, including but not limited to hospitals and nursing homes, unless licensed by an appropriate licensing authority of this state, any other state, or a Canadian province and if applicable, certified by an appropriate authority under United States Code, title 42, sections 1396-1396p.

Subd. 2. Payment distribution. The payment of state or county funds to nursing homes, boarding care homes, and supervised living facilities, except payments to state operated institutions, for the care of persons who are eligible for medical assistance, shall be made only through the medical assistance program, except as provided in subdivision 3.

Subd. 3. Payment exceptions. The limitation in subdivision 2 shall not apply to:

(a) payment of Minnesota supplemental assistance funds to recipients who reside in facilities which are involved in litigation contesting their designation as an institution for treatment of mental disease;

(b) payment or grants to a boarding care home or supervised living facility licensed by the department of human services under Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0500 to 9520.0690, 9530.2500 to 9530.4000, 9545.0900 to 9545.1090, or 9545.1400 to 9545.1500, or payment to recipients who reside in these facilities;

(c) payments or grants to a boarding care home or supervised living facility which are ineligible for certification under United States Code, title 42, sections 1396-1396p;

(d) payments or grants otherwise specifically authorized by statute or rule.

Subd. 4. Payment during suspended admissions. A nursing home or boarding care home that has received a notice to suspend admissions under section 144A.10, subdivision 4a, shall be ineligible to receive payment for admissions that occur during the effective dates of the suspension. Upon termination of the suspension by the commissioner of health, payments may be made for eligible persons, beginning with the day after the suspension ends.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 25; 1969 c 395 s 2; 1984 c 641 s 13; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 248 s 69; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 64

256B.26 Agreements with other state departments.

The commissioner of the department of human services is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with other state departments or divisions of this state or of other states responsible for administering or supervising the administration of health services and vocational rehabilitation services in the state for maximum utilization of such service in the provision of medical assistance under sections 256B.01 to 256B.26.

HIST: Ex1967 c 16 s 26; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58

256B.27 Medical assistance; cost reports.

Subdivision 1. Reports and audits. In the interests of efficient administration of the medical assistance to the needy program and incident to the approval of rates and charges therefor, the commissioner of human services may require any reports, information, and audits of medical vendors which the commissioner deems necessary.

Subd. 2. Verification of report. All reports as to the costs of operations or of medical care provided which are submitted by vendors of medical care for use in determining their rates or reimbursement shall be submitted under oath as to the truthfulness of their contents by the vendor or an officer or authorized representative of the vendor.

Subd. 2a. On-site audits. Each year the commissioner shall provide for the on-site audit of the cost reports of nursing homes participating as vendors of medical assistance. The commissioner shall select for audit at least 15 percent of these nursing homes at random or using factors including, but not limited to: change in ownership; frequent changes in administration in excess of normal turnover rates; complaints to the commissioner of health about care, safety, or rights; where previous inspections or reinspections under section 144A.10 have resulted in correction orders related to care, safety, or rights; or where persons involved in ownership or administration of the facility have been indicted for alleged criminal activity.

Subd. 3. Access to medical records. The commissioner of human services, with the written consent of the recipient, on file with the local welfare agency, shall be allowed access to all personal medical records of medical assistance recipients solely for the purposes of investigating whether or not: (a) a vendor of medical care has submitted a claim for reimbursement, a cost report or a rate application which is duplicative, erroneous, or false in whole or in part, or which results in the vendor obtaining greater compensation than the vendor is legally entitled to; or (b) the medical care was medically necessary. The vendor of medical care shall receive notification from the commissioner at least 24 hours before the commissioner gains access to such records. The determination of provision of services not medically necessary shall be made by the commissioner. The commissioner may consult with an advisory task force of vendors the commissioner may appoint, on the recommendation of appropriate professional organizations. The task force expires as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 6. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a vendor of medical care shall not be subject to any civil or criminal liability for providing access to medical records to the commissioner of human services pursuant to this section.

Subd. 4. Authorization of commissioner to examine records. A person determined to be eligible for medical assistance shall be deemed to have authorized the commissioner of human services in writing to examine, for the investigative purposes identified in subdivision 3, all personal medical records developed while receiving medical assistance.

Subd. 5. Private data. Medical records obtained by the commissioner of human services pursuant to this section are private data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.

HIST: 1971 c 961 s 24; 1976 c 188 s 3; 1977 c 326 s 11; 1980 c 349 s 7,8; 1981 c 311 s 39; 1982 c 476 s 1; 1982 c 545 s 24; 1982 c 640 s 8; 1983 c 312 art 5 s 25,26; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 370 art 1 s 5,6; 1988 c 629 s 53; 1995 c 207 art 11 s 6

256B.30 Health care facility report.

Every facility required to be licensed under the provisions of sections 144.50 to 144.58, or 144A.02, shall provide annually to the commissioner of human services the reports as may be required under law and under rules adopted by the commissioner of human services under the Administrative Procedure Act. The rules shall provide for the submission of a full and complete financial report of a facility's operations including:

(1) An annual statement of income and expenditures;

(2) A complete statement of fees and charges;

(3) The names of all persons other than mortgage companies owning any interest in the facility including stockholders with an ownership interest of ten percent or more of the facility.

The financial reports and supporting data of the facility shall be available for inspection and audit by the commissioner of human services.

HIST: 1973 c 688 s 8; 1976 c 173 c 57; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58

256B.31 Continued hospital care for long-term polio patient.

A medical assistance recipient who has been a polio patient in an acute care hospital for a period of not less than 25 consecutive years is eligible to continue receiving hospital care, whether or not the care is medically necessary for purposes of federal reimbursement. The cost of continued hospital care not reimbursable by the federal government must be paid with state money allocated for the medical assistance program. The rate paid to the hospital is the rate per day established using Medicare principles for the hospital's fiscal year ending December 31, 1981, adjusted each year by the annual hospital cost index established under section 256.969, subdivision 1, or by other limits in effect at the time of the adjustment. This section does not prohibit a voluntary move to another living arrangement by a recipient whose care is reimbursed under this section.

HIST: 1988 c 689 art 2 s 152

256B.32 Facility fee for outpatient hospital emergency room and clinic visits.

The commissioner shall establish a facility fee payment mechanism that will pay a facility fee to all enrolled outpatient hospitals for each emergency room or outpatient clinic visit provided on or after July 1, 1989. This payment mechanism may not result in an overall increase in outpatient payment rates. This section does not apply to federally mandated maximum payment limits, department approved program packages, or services billed using a nonoutpatient hospital provider number.

HIST: 1989 c 285 s 4

256B.35 Personal allowance, persons in skilled nursing homes or intermediate care facilities.

Subdivision 1. Personal needs allowance. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, welfare allowances for clothing and personal needs for individuals receiving medical assistance while residing in any skilled nursing home, intermediate care facility, or medical institution including recipients of supplemental security income, in this state shall not be less than $45 per month from all sources. When benefit amounts for social security or supplemental security income recipients are increased pursuant to United States Code, title 42, sections 415(i) and 1382f, the commissioner shall, effective in the month in which the increase takes effect, increase by the same percentage to the nearest whole dollar the clothing and personal needs allowance for individuals receiving medical assistance while residing in any skilled nursing home, medical institution, or intermediate care facility. The commissioner shall provide timely notice to local agencies, providers, and recipients of increases under this provision.

(b) The personal needs allowance may be paid as part of the Minnesota supplemental aid program, notwithstanding the provisions of section 256D.37, subdivision 2, and payments to recipients of Minnesota supplemental aid may be made once each three months covering liabilities that accrued during the preceding three months.

(c) The personal needs allowance shall be increased to include income garnished for child support under a court order, up to a maximum of $250 per month but only to the extent that the amount garnished is not deducted as a monthly allowance for children under section 256B.0575, paragraph (a), clause (5).

Subd. 2. Neither the skilled nursing home, the intermediate care facility, the medical institution, nor the department of human services shall withhold or deduct any amount of this allowance for any purpose contrary to this section.

Subd. 3. The nursing home may not commingle the patient's funds with nursing home funds or in any way use the funds for nursing home purposes.

Subd. 4. The commissioner of human services shall conduct field audits at the same time as cost report audits required under section 256B.27, subdivision 2a, and at any other time but at least once every four years, without notice, to determine whether this section was complied with and that the funds provided residents for their personal needs were actually expended for that purpose.

Subd. 5. The nursing home may transfer the personal allowance to someone other than the recipient only when the recipient or the recipient's guardian or conservator designates that person in writing to receive or expend funds on behalf of the recipient and that person certifies in writing that the allowance is spent for the well-being of the recipient. Persons, other than the recipient, in possession of the personal allowance, may use the allowance only for the well-being of the recipient. Any person, other than the recipient, who, with intent to defraud, uses the personal needs allowance for purposes other than the well-being of the recipient shall be guilty of theft and shall be sentenced pursuant to section 609.52, subdivision 3, clauses (2), (3)(a) and (c), (4), and (5). To prosecute under this subdivision, the attorney general or the appropriate county attorney, acting independently or at the direction of the attorney general, may institute a criminal action. A nursing home that transfers personal needs allowance funds to a person other than the recipient in good faith and in compliance with this section shall not be held liable under this subdivision.

Subd. 6. In addition to the remedies otherwise provided by law, any person injured by a violation of any of the provisions of this section, may bring a civil action and recover damages, together with costs and disbursements, including costs of investigation and reasonable attorney's fees, and receive other equitable relief as determined by the court.

HIST: 1974 c 575 s 15; 1977 c 271 s 1,2; 1980 c 563 s 1; 1982 c 476 s 2; 1984 c 534 s 25; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 254 s 7; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 86,87; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 153; 1990 c 566 s 7; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 31

256B.36 Personal allowance for certain recipients of medical assistance.

In addition to the personal allowance established in section 256B.35, any disabled recipient of medical assistance who is a resident of a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, shall also be permitted a special personal allowance drawn solely from earnings from any employment under an individual plan of rehabilitation. This special personal allowance shall consist of the sum of the following amounts, deducted from earnings in the following order:

(1) $80 for the costs of meals and miscellaneous work expenses;

(2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act payments withheld from the person's earned income;

(3) actual employment related transportation expenses;

(4) other actual employment related expenses; and

(5) state and federal income taxes withheld from the person's earned income, if the person cannot be claimed as exempt from federal income tax withholding.

The maximum special personal allowance from earnings is the sum of items (1) to (5).

HIST: 1974 c 575 s 16; 1985 c 21 s 56; 1986 c 444; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 83

256B.37 Private insurance policies, causes of action.

Subdivision 1. Subrogation. Upon furnishing medical assistance to any person who has private accident or health care coverage, or receives or has a right to receive health or medical care from any type of organization or entity, or has a cause of action arising out of an occurrence that necessitated the payment of medical assistance, the state agency or the state agency's agent shall be subrogated, to the extent of the cost of medical care furnished, to any rights the person may have under the terms of the coverage, or against the organization or entity providing or liable to provide health or medical care, or under the cause of action.

The right of subrogation created in this section includes all portions of the cause of action, notwithstanding any settlement allocation or apportionment that purports to dispose of portions of the cause of action not subject to subrogation.

Subd. 2. Civil action for recovery. To recover under this section, the attorney general may institute or join a civil action to enforce the subrogation rights of the commissioner established under this section.

Any prepaid health plan providing services under sections 256B.69, 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), and 256L.12; children's mental health collaboratives under section 245.493; demonstration projects for persons with disabilities under section 256B.77; nursing homes under the alternative payment demonstration project under section 256B.434; or the county-based purchasing entity providing services under section 256B.692 may retain legal representation to enforce the subrogation rights created under this section or, if no action has been brought, may initiate and prosecute an independent action on their behalf against a person, firm, or corporation that may be liable to the person to whom the care or payment was furnished.

Subd. 3. Notice. The state agency must be given notice of monetary claims against a person, firm, or corporation that may be liable in damages, or otherwise obligated to pay part or all of the cost of medical care when the state agency has paid or become liable for the cost of care. Notice must be given as follows:

(a) Applicants for medical assistance shall notify the state or local agency of any possible claims when they submit the application. Recipients of medical assistance shall notify the state or local agency of any possible claims when those claims arise.

(b) A person providing medical care services to a recipient of medical assistance shall notify the state agency when the person has reason to believe that a third party may be liable for payment of the cost of medical care.

(c) A person who is party to a claim upon which the state agency may be entitled to subrogation under this section shall notify the state agency of its potential subrogation claim before filing a claim, commencing an action, or negotiating a settlement. A person who is a party to a claim includes the plaintiff, the defendants, and any other party to the cause of action.

Notice given to the local agency is not sufficient to meet the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c).

Subd. 4. Recovery. Upon any judgment, award, or settlement of a cause of action, or any part of it, upon which the state agency has a subrogation right, including compensation for liquidated, unliquidated, or other damages, reasonable costs of collection, including attorney fees, must be deducted first. The full amount of medical assistance paid to or on behalf of the person as a result of the injury must be deducted next and paid to the state agency. The rest must be paid to the medical assistance recipient or other plaintiff. The plaintiff, however, must receive at least one-third of the net recovery after attorney fees and collection costs.

Subd. 5. Private benefits to be used first. Private accident and health care coverage including Medicare for medical services is primary coverage and must be exhausted before medical assistance is paid for medical services including home health care, personal care assistant services, hospice, or services covered under a Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) waiver. When a person who is otherwise eligible for medical assistance has private accident or health care coverage, including Medicare or a prepaid health plan, the private health care benefits available to the person must be used first and to the fullest extent.

Subd. 5a. Supplemental payment by medical assistance. Medical assistance payment will not be made when either covered charges are paid in full by a third party or the provider has an agreement to accept payment for less than charges as payment in full. Payment for patients that are simultaneously covered by medical assistance and a liable third party other than Medicare will be determined as the lesser of clauses (1) to (3):

(1) the patient liability according to the provider/insurer agreement;

(2) covered charges minus the third party payment amount; or

(3) the medical assistance rate minus the third party payment amount.

A negative difference will not be implemented.

Subd. 6. Parent's or obligee's health plan. When a parent or a person with an obligation of support has enrolled in a prepaid health care plan under section 518.171, subdivision 1, the commissioner of human services shall limit the recipient of medical assistance to the benefits payable under that prepaid health care plan to the extent that services available under medical assistance are also available under the prepaid health care plan.

HIST: 1975 c 247 s 7; 1987 c 370 art 2 s 9-14; 1987 c 403 art 3 s 26; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 87-89; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 32; 1997 c 217 art 2 s 8; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 66,68

256B.39 Avoidance of duplicate payments.

Billing statements forwarded to recipients of medical assistance by vendors seeking payment for medical care rendered shall clearly state that reimbursement from the state agency is contemplated.

HIST: 1975 c 247 s 8

256B.40 Subsidy for abortions prohibited.

No medical assistance funds of this state or any agency, county, municipality or any other subdivision thereof and no federal funds passing through the state treasury or the state agency shall be authorized or paid pursuant to this chapter to any person or entity for or in connection with any abortion that is not eligible for funding pursuant to sections 256B.02, subdivision 8, and 256B.0625.

HIST: 1978 c 508 s 3; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 268

256B.41 Intent.

Subdivision 1. Authority. The commissioner shall establish, by rule, procedures for determining rates for care of residents of nursing facilities which qualify as vendors of medical assistance, and for implementing the provisions of this section and sections 256B.421, 256B.431, 256B.432, 256B.433, 256B.47, 256B.48, 256B.50, and 256B.502. The procedures shall specify the costs that are allowable for establishing payment rates through medical assistance.

Subd. 2. Federal requirements. If any provision of this section and sections 256B.421, 256B.431, 256B.432, 256B.433, 256B.47, 256B.48, 256B.50, and 256B.502, is determined by the United States government to be in conflict with existing or future requirements of the United States government with respect to federal participation in medical assistance, the federal requirements shall prevail.

Subd. 3. Payment rates. Payment rates paid to any nursing facility receiving medical assistance payments must be those rates established pursuant to this chapter and rules adopted under it.

HIST: 1976 c 282 s 1; 1983 c 199 s 10; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 47; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 84,85,136; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 41

256B.411 Compliance with state statutes.

Subdivision 1. Funding. Subject to exceptions in section 256B.25, subdivision 3, no nursing facility may receive any state or local payment for providing care to a person eligible for medical assistance, except under the medical assistance program.

Subd. 2. Requirements. No medical assistance payments shall be made to any nursing facility unless the nursing facility is certified to participate in the medical assistance program under title XIX of the federal Social Security Act and has in effect a provider agreement with the commissioner meeting the requirements of state and federal statutes and rules. No medical assistance payments shall be made to any nursing facility unless the nursing facility complies with all requirements of Minnesota Statutes including, but not limited to, this chapter and rules adopted under it that govern participation in the program. This section applies whether the nursing facility participates fully in the medical assistance program or is withdrawing from the medical assistance program. No future payments may be made to any nursing facility which has withdrawn or is withdrawing from the medical assistance program except as provided in section 256B.48, subdivision 1a, or federal law. Payments may also be made under a court order entered on or before June 7, 1985, unless the court order is reversed on appeal.

HIST: 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 48; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 136; 2000 c 449 s 2

256B.42 Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19

256B.421 Definitions.

Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of this section and sections 256B.41, 256B.411, 256B.431, 256B.432, 256B.433, 256B.434, 256B.47, 256B.48, 256B.50, and 256B.502, the following terms and phrases shall have the meaning given to them.

Subd. 2. Actual allowable historical operating cost per diem. "Actual allowable historical operating cost per diem" means the per diem operating costs allowed by the commissioner for the most recent reporting year.

Subd. 3. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.

Subd. 4. Final rate. "Final rate" means the rate established after any adjustment by the commissioner, including but not limited to adjustments resulting from cost report reviews and field audits.

Subd. 5. General and administrative costs. "General and administrative costs" means all allowable costs for administering the facility, including but not limited to: salaries of administrators, assistant administrators, accounting personnel, data processing personnel, and all clerical personnel; board of directors fees; business office functions and supplies; travel, except as necessary for training programs for nursing personnel and dietitians required to maintain licensure, certification, or professional standards requirements; telephone and telegraph; advertising; membership dues and subscriptions; postage; insurance, except as included as a fringe benefit under subdivision 14; professional services such as legal, accounting and data processing services; central or home office costs; management fees; management consultants; employee training, for any top management personnel and for other than direct resident care related personnel; and business meetings and seminars.

Subd. 6. Historical operating costs. "Historical operating costs" means the allowable operating costs incurred by the facility during the reporting year immediately preceding the rate year for which the payment rate becomes effective, after the commissioner has reviewed those costs and determined them to be allowable costs under the medical assistance program, and after the commissioner has applied appropriate limitations such as the limit on administrative costs.

Subd. 7. Nursing facility. "Nursing facility" means a facility licensed under chapter 144A or a boarding care facility licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56.

Subd. 8. Operating costs. "Operating costs" means the day-to-day costs of operating the facility in compliance with licensure and certification standards. Operating cost categories are: nursing, including nurses and nursing assistants training; dietary; laundry and linen; housekeeping; plant operation and maintenance; other care-related services; medical directors; licenses, other than license fees required by the Minnesota department of health; permits; general and administration; payroll taxes; real estate taxes, license fees required by the Minnesota department of health, and actual special assessments paid; and fringe benefits, including clerical training; and travel necessary for training programs for nursing personnel and dietitians required to maintain licensure, certification, or professional standards requirements.

Subd. 9. Payment rate. "Payment rate" means the rate determined under section 256B.431.

Subd. 10. Private paying resident. "Private paying resident" means a nursing facility resident who is not a medical assistance recipient and whose payment rate is not established by another third party, including the veterans administration or medicare.

Subd. 11. Rate year. "Rate year" means the fiscal year for which a payment rate determined under section 256B.431 is effective, from July 1 to the next June 30.

Subd. 12. Reporting year. "Reporting year" means the period from October 1 to September 30, immediately preceding the rate year, for which the nursing facility submits reports required under section 256B.48, subdivision 2.

Subd. 13. Actual resident day. "Actual resident day" means a billable, countable day as defined by the commissioner.

Subd. 14. Fringe benefits. "Fringe benefits" means workers' compensation insurance, group health or dental insurance, group life insurance, retirement benefits or plans, except for Public Employee Retirement Act contributions, and uniform allowances.

Subd. 15. Payroll taxes. "Payroll taxes" means the employer's share of FICA taxes, governmentally required retirement contributions, and state and federal unemployment compensation taxes.

Subd. 16. Capital assets. "Capital assets," for purposes of section 256B.431, subdivisions 13 to 21, means a nursing facility's buildings, attached fixtures, land improvements, leasehold improvements, and all additions to or replacements of those assets used directly for resident care.

HIST: 1983 c 199 s 11; 1984 c 641 s 14-16; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 267 s 2; 1Sp1985 c 3 s 26; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 49; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 88; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 65; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 86,87,136; 1997 c 203 art 3 s 6

256B.43 Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19

256B.431 Rate determination.

Subdivision 1. In general. The commissioner shall determine prospective payment rates for resident care costs. For rates established on or after July 1, 1985, the commissioner shall develop procedures for determining operating cost payment rates that take into account the mix of resident needs, geographic location, and other factors as determined by the commissioner. The commissioner shall consider whether the fact that a facility is attached to a hospital or has an average length of stay of 180 days or less should be taken into account in determining rates. The commissioner shall consider the use of the standard metropolitan statistical areas when developing groups by geographic location. The commissioner shall provide notice to each nursing facility on or before May 1 of the rates effective for the following rate year except that if legislation is pending on May 1 that may affect rates for nursing facilities, the commissioner shall set the rates after the legislation is enacted and provide notice to each facility as soon as possible.

Compensation for top management personnel shall continue to be categorized as a general and administrative cost and is subject to any limits imposed on that cost category.

Subd. 2. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 2a. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 2b. Operating costs, after July 1, 1985. (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1985, the commissioner shall establish procedures for determining per diem reimbursement for operating costs.

(b) The commissioner shall contract with an econometric firm with recognized expertise in and access to national economic change indices that can be applied to the appropriate cost categories when determining the operating cost payment rate.

(c) The commissioner shall analyze and evaluate each nursing facility's cost report of allowable operating costs incurred by the nursing facility during the reporting year immediately preceding the rate year for which the payment rate becomes effective.

(d) The commissioner shall establish limits on actual allowable historical operating cost per diems based on cost reports of allowable operating costs for the reporting year that begins October 1, 1983, taking into consideration relevant factors including resident needs, geographic location, and size of the nursing facility. In developing the geographic groups for purposes of reimbursement under this section, the commissioner shall ensure that nursing facilities in any county contiguous to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county metropolitan area are included in the same geographic group. The limits established by the commissioner shall not be less, in the aggregate, than the 60th percentile of total actual allowable historical operating cost per diems for each group of nursing facilities established under subdivision 1 based on cost reports of allowable operating costs in the previous reporting year. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, facilities located in geographic group I as described in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0052, on January 1, 1989, may choose to have the commissioner apply either the care related limits or the other operating cost limits calculated for facilities located in geographic group II, or both, if either of the limits calculated for the group II facilities is higher. The efficiency incentive for geographic group I nursing facilities must be calculated based on geographic group I limits. The phase-in must be established utilizing the chosen limits. For purposes of these exceptions to the geographic grouping requirements, the definitions in Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0050 to 9549.0059 (Emergency), and 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, apply. The limits established under this paragraph remain in effect until the commissioner establishes a new base period. Until the new base period is established, the commissioner shall adjust the limits annually using the appropriate economic change indices established in paragraph (e). In determining allowable historical operating cost per diems for purposes of setting limits and nursing facility payment rates, the commissioner shall divide the allowable historical operating costs by the actual number of resident days, except that where a nursing facility is occupied at less than 90 percent of licensed capacity days, the commissioner may establish procedures to adjust the computation of the per diem to an imputed occupancy level at or below 90 percent. The commissioner shall establish efficiency incentives as appropriate. The commissioner may establish efficiency incentives for different operating cost categories. The commissioner shall consider establishing efficiency incentives in care related cost categories. The commissioner may combine one or more operating cost categories and may use different methods for calculating payment rates for each operating cost category or combination of operating cost categories. For the rate year beginning on July 1, 1985, the commissioner shall:

(1) allow nursing facilities that have an average length of stay of 180 days or less in their skilled nursing level of care, 125 percent of the care related limit and 105 percent of the other operating cost limit established by rule; and

(2) exempt nursing facilities licensed on July 1, 1983, by the commissioner to provide residential services for the physically handicapped under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 9570.3600, from the care related limits and allow 105 percent of the other operating cost limit established by rule.

For the purpose of calculating the other operating cost efficiency incentive for nursing facilities referred to in clause (1) or (2), the commissioner shall use the other operating cost limit established by rule before application of the 105 percent.

(e) The commissioner shall establish a composite index or indices by determining the appropriate economic change indicators to be applied to specific operating cost categories or combination of operating cost categories.

(f) Each nursing facility shall receive an operating cost payment rate equal to the sum of the nursing facility's operating cost payment rates for each operating cost category. The operating cost payment rate for an operating cost category shall be the lesser of the nursing facility's historical operating cost in the category increased by the appropriate index established in paragraph (e) for the operating cost category plus an efficiency incentive established pursuant to paragraph (d) or the limit for the operating cost category increased by the same index. If a nursing facility's actual historic operating costs are greater than the prospective payment rate for that rate year, there shall be no retroactive cost settle-up. In establishing payment rates for one or more operating cost categories, the commissioner may establish separate rates for different classes of residents based on their relative care needs.

(g) The commissioner shall include the reported actual real estate tax liability or payments in lieu of real estate tax of each nursing facility as an operating cost of that nursing facility. Allowable costs under this subdivision for payments made by a nonprofit nursing facility that are in lieu of real estate taxes shall not exceed the amount which the nursing facility would have paid to a city or township and county for fire, police, sanitation services, and road maintenance costs had real estate taxes been levied on that property for those purposes. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1987, the reported actual real estate tax liability or payments in lieu of real estate tax of nursing facilities shall be adjusted to include an amount equal to one-half of the dollar change in real estate taxes from the prior year. The commissioner shall include a reported actual special assessment, and reported actual license fees required by the Minnesota department of health, for each nursing facility as an operating cost of that nursing facility. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, the commissioner shall include a nursing facility's reported Public Employee Retirement Act contribution for the reporting year as apportioned to the care-related operating cost categories and other operating cost categories multiplied by the appropriate composite index or indices established pursuant to paragraph (e) as costs under this paragraph. Total adjusted real estate tax liability, payments in lieu of real estate tax, actual special assessments paid, the indexed Public Employee Retirement Act contribution, and license fees paid as required by the Minnesota department of health, for each nursing facility (1) shall be divided by actual resident days in order to compute the operating cost payment rate for this operating cost category, (2) shall not be used to compute the care-related operating cost limits or other operating cost limits established by the commissioner, and (3) shall not be increased by the composite index or indices established pursuant to paragraph (e), unless otherwise indicated in this paragraph.

(h) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1987, the commissioner shall adjust the rates of a nursing facility that meets the criteria for the special dietary needs of its residents and the requirements in section 31.651. The adjustment for raw food cost shall be the difference between the nursing facility's allowable historical raw food cost per diem and 115 percent of the median historical allowable raw food cost per diem of the corresponding geographic group.

The rate adjustment shall be reduced by the applicable phase-in percentage as provided under subdivision 2h.

Subd. 2c. Operating costs after July 1, 1986. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1986, the commissioner may allow a one time adjustment to historical operating costs of a nursing facility that has been found by the commissioner of health to be significantly below care related minimum standards appropriate to the mix of resident needs in that nursing facility when it is determined by the commissioners of health and human services that the nursing facility is unable to meet minimum standards through reallocation of nursing facility costs and efficiency incentives or allowances. In developing procedures to allow adjustments, the commissioner shall specify the terms and conditions governing any additional payments made to a nursing facility as a result of the adjustment. The commissioner shall establish procedures to recover amounts paid under this subdivision, in whole or in part, and to adjust current and future rates, for nursing facilities that fail to use the adjustment to satisfy care related minimum standards.

Subd. 2d. If an annual cost report or field audit indicates that expenditures for direct resident care have been reduced in amounts large enough to indicate a possible detrimental effect on the quality of care, the commissioner shall notify the commissioner of health and the interagency long-term care planning committee. If a field audit reveals that unallowable expenditures have been included in the nursing facility's historical operating costs, the commissioner shall disallow the expenditures and recover the entire overpayment. The commissioner shall establish, by rule, procedures for assessing an interest charge at the rate determined for unpaid taxes or penalties under section 270.75 on any outstanding balance resulting from an overpayment or underpayment.

Subd. 2e. Contracts for services for ventilator-dependent persons. The commissioner may contract with a nursing facility eligible to receive medical assistance payments to provide services to a ventilator-dependent person identified by the commissioner according to criteria developed by the commissioner, including:

(1) nursing facility care has been recommended for the person by a preadmission screening team;

(2) the person has been hospitalized and no longer requires inpatient acute care hospital services; and

(3) the commissioner has determined that necessary services for the person cannot be provided under existing nursing facility rates.

The commissioner may issue a request for proposals to provide services to a ventilator-dependent person to nursing facilities eligible to receive medical assistance payments and shall select nursing facilities from among respondents according to criteria developed by the commissioner, including:

(1) the cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of services;

(2) the nursing facility's compliance with federal and state licensing and certification standards; and

(3) the proximity of the nursing facility to a ventilator-dependent person identified by the commissioner who requires nursing facility placement.

The commissioner may negotiate an adjustment to the operating cost payment rate for a nursing facility selected by the commissioner from among respondents to the request for proposals. The negotiated adjustment must reflect only the actual additional cost of meeting the specialized care needs of a ventilator-dependent person identified by the commissioner for whom necessary services cannot be provided under existing nursing facility rates and which are not otherwise covered under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080 or 9505.0170 to 9505.0475. For persons who are initially admitted to a nursing facility before July 1, 2001, and have their payment rate under this subdivision negotiated after July 1, 2001, the negotiated payment rate must not exceed 200 percent of the highest multiple bedroom payment rate for the facility, as initially established by the commissioner for the rate year for case mix classification K. For persons initially admitted to a nursing facility on or after July 1, 2001, the negotiated payment rate must not exceed 300 percent of the facility's multiple bedroom payment rate for case mix classification K. The negotiated adjustment shall not affect the payment rate charged to private paying residents under the provisions of section 256B.48, subdivision 1.

Subd. 2f. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 2g. Required consultants. Costs considered general and administrative costs under section 256B.421 must be included in general and administrative costs in total, without direct or indirect allocation to other cost categories. In a nursing facility of 60 or fewer beds, part of an administrator's salary may be allocated to other cost categories to the extent justified in records kept by the nursing facility. Central or home office costs representing services of required consultants in areas including, but not limited to, dietary, pharmacy, social services, or activities may be allocated to the appropriate department, but only if those costs are directly identified by the nursing facility. Central, affiliated, or corporate office costs representing services of consultants not required by law in the areas of nursing, quality assurance, medical records, dietary, other care related services, and plant operations may be allocated to the appropriate operating cost category of a nursing facility according to paragraphs (a) to (e).

(a) Only the salaries, fringe benefits, and payroll taxes associated with the individual performing the service may be allocated. No other costs may be allocated.

(b) The allocation must be based on direct identification and only to the extent justified in time distribution records that show the actual time spent by the consultant performing the services in the nursing facility.

(c) The cost in paragraph (a) for each consultant must not be allocated to more than one operating cost category in the nursing facility. If more than one nursing facility is served by a consultant, all nursing facilities shall allocate the consultant's cost to the same operating category.

(d) Top management personnel must not be considered consultants.

(e) The consultant's full-time responsibilities shall be to provide the services identified in this item.

Subd. 2h. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 2i. Operating costs after July 1, 1988. (a) Other operating cost limits. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, the adjusted other operating cost limits must be indexed as in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0056, subparts 3 and 4. For the rate period beginning October 1, 1992, and for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the amount of the surcharge under section 256.9657, subdivision 1, shall be included in the plant operations and maintenance operating cost category. The surcharge shall be an allowable cost for the purpose of establishing the payment rate.

(b) Care-related operating cost limits. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, the adjusted care-related limits must be indexed as in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0056, subparts 1 and 2.

(c) Salary adjustment per diem. Effective July 1, 1998, to June 30, 2000, the commissioner shall make available the salary adjustment per diem calculated in clause (1) or (2) to the total operating cost payment rate of each nursing facility reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434. The salary adjustment per diem for each nursing facility must be determined as follows:

(1) For each nursing facility that reports salaries for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and aides, orderlies and attendants separately, the commissioner shall determine the salary adjustment per diem by multiplying the total salaries, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits allowed in each operating cost category, except management fees and administrator and central office salaries and the related payroll taxes and fringe benefits, by 3.0 percent and then dividing the resulting amount by the nursing facility's actual resident days.

(2) For each nursing facility that does not report salaries for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, aides, orderlies, and attendants separately, the salary adjustment per diem is the weighted average salary adjustment per diem increase determined under clause (1).

(3) A nursing facility may apply for the salary adjustment per diem calculated under clauses (1) and (2). The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the nursing facility will distribute the salary adjustment to employees of the nursing facility. In order to apply for a salary adjustment, a nursing facility reimbursed under section 256B.434, must report the information required by clause (1) or (2) in the application, in the manner specified by the commissioner. For nursing facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative, after July 1, 1998, may constitute the plan for the salary distribution. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the salary adjustment per diem is used solely to increase the compensation of nursing home facility employees. To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan for the salary distribution by December 31, 1998. If a facility's plan for salary distribution is effective for its employees after July 1, 1998, the salary adjustment cost per diem shall be effective the same date as its plan.

(4) Additional costs incurred by nursing facilities as a result of this salary adjustment are not allowable costs for purposes of the September 30, 1998, cost report.

(d) New base year. The commissioner shall establish a new base year for the reporting years ending September 30, 1991, and September 30, 1992. In establishing a new base year, the commissioner must take into account:

(1) statutory changes made in geographic groups;

(2) redefinitions of cost categories; and

(3) reclassification, pass-through, or exemption of certain costs.

Subd. 2j. Hospital-attached nursing facility status. (a) For the purpose of setting rates under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, for rate years beginning after June 30, 1989, a hospital-attached nursing facility means a nursing facility which meets the requirements of clauses (1) to (3):

(1) the nursing facility is recognized by the federal Medicare program to be a hospital-based nursing facility for purposes of being subject to higher cost limits accorded hospital-based nursing facilities under the Medicare program, or, prior to June 30, 1983, was classified as a hospital-attached nursing facility under Minnesota Rules, parts 9510.0010 to 9510.0480;

(2) the nursing facility's cost report filed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, shall use the same cost allocation principles and methods used in the reports filed for the Medicare program except as provided in clause (3); and

(3) direct identification of costs to the nursing facility cost center will be permitted only when the comparable hospital costs have also been directly identified to a cost center which is not allocated to the nursing facility.

(b) For rate years beginning after June 30, 1989, a nursing facility and hospital, which have applied for hospital-based nursing facility status under the federal Medicare program during the reporting year or the nine-month period following the nursing facility's reporting year, shall be considered a hospital-attached nursing facility for purposes of setting payment rates under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, for the rate year following the reporting year or the nine-month period in which the facility made its Medicare application. The nursing facility must file its cost report or an amended cost report for that reporting year before the following rate year using Medicare principles and Medicare's recommended cost allocation methods had the Medicare program's hospital-based nursing facility status been granted to the nursing facility. For each subsequent rate year, the nursing facility must meet the definition requirements in paragraph (a). If the nursing facility is denied hospital-based nursing facility status under the Medicare program, the nursing facility's payment rates for the rate years the nursing facility was considered to be a hospital-attached nursing facility pursuant to this paragraph shall be recalculated treating the nursing facility as a non-hospital-attached nursing facility.

(c) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1995, a nursing facility shall be considered a hospital attached nursing facility for purposes of setting payment rates under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080 and this section if it meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), and

(1) the hospital and nursing facility are physically attached or connected by a tunnel or skyway; or

(2) the nursing facility was recognized by the Medicare program as hospital attached as of January 1, 1995, and this status has been maintained continuously.

Subd. 2k. Operating costs after July 1, 1989. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, a nursing facility that is exempt under subdivision 2b, paragraph (d), clause (2); whose total number of licensed beds are licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 9570.3600; and that maintains an average length of stay of less than 365 days during each reporting year, is limited to 140 percent of the other-operating-cost limit for hospital-attached nursing facilities as established by Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0055, subpart 2, item E, subitem (2), as modified by subdivision 2i, paragraph (a). For purposes of this subdivision, the nursing facility's average length of stay must be computed by dividing the nursing facility's actual resident days for the reporting year by the nursing facility's total discharges for that reporting year.

Subd. 2l. Inflation adjustments after July 1, 1990. (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1990, the forecasted composite price index for a nursing facility's allowable operating cost per diems shall be determined using Data Resources, Inc., forecast for change in the Nursing Home Market Basket. The commissioner of human services shall use the indices as forecasted by Data Resources, Inc., in the fourth quarter of the calendar year preceding the rate year.

(b) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1992, the commissioner shall index the prior year's operating cost limits by the percentage change in the Data Resources, Inc., Nursing Home Market Basket between the midpoint of the current reporting year and the midpoint of the previous reporting year. The commissioner shall use the indices as forecasted by Data Resources, Inc., in the fourth quarter of the calendar year preceding the rate year.

(c) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1993, the commissioner shall not provide automatic annual inflation adjustments for nursing facilities. The commissioner of finance shall include annual adjustments in operating costs for nursing facilities as a budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11.

Subd. 2m. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 2n. Efficiency incentive reductions for substandard care. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1991, the efficiency incentive established under subdivision 2b, paragraph (d), shall be reduced or eliminated for nursing facilities determined by the commissioner of health under section 144A.10, subdivision 4, to have uncorrected or repeated violations which create a risk to resident care, safety, or rights, except for uncorrected or repeated violations relating to a facility's physical plant. Upon being notified by the commissioner of health of uncorrected or repeated violations, the commissioner of human services shall require the nursing facility to use efficiency incentive payments to correct the violations. The commissioner of human services shall require the nursing facility to forfeit efficiency incentive payments for failure to correct the violations. Any forfeiture shall be limited to the amount necessary to correct the violation.

Subd. 2o. Special payment rates for short-stay nursing facilities. Notwithstanding contrary provisions of this section and rules adopted by the commissioner, for the rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1993, a nursing facility whose average length of stay for the preceding reporting year is (1) less than 180 days; or (2) less than 225 days in a nursing facility with more than 315 licensed beds must be reimbursed for allowable costs up to 125 percent of the total care-related limit and 105 percent of the other-operating-cost limit for hospital-attached nursing facilities. A nursing facility that received the benefit of this limit during the rate year beginning July 1, 1992, continues to receive this rate during the rate year beginning July 1, 1993, even if the facility's average length of stay is more than 180 days in the rate years subsequent to the rate year beginning July 1, 1991. For purposes of this subdivision, a nursing facility shall compute its average length of stay by dividing the nursing facility's actual resident days for the reporting year by the nursing facility's total resident discharges for that reporting year.

Subd. 2p. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 2q. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 2r. Payment restrictions on leave days. Effective July 1, 1993, the commissioner shall limit payment for leave days in a nursing facility to 79 percent of that nursing facility's total payment rate for the involved resident.

Subd. 2s. Nonallowable cost. Costs incurred for any activities which are directed at or are intended to influence or dissuade employees in the exercise of their legal rights to freely engage in the process of selecting an exclusive representative for the purpose of collective bargaining with their employer shall not be allowable for purposes of setting payment rates.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 3a. Property-related costs after July 1, 1985. (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1985, the commissioner, by permanent rule, shall reimburse nursing facility providers that are vendors in the medical assistance program for the rental use of real estate and depreciable equipment. "Real estate" means land improvements, buildings, and attached fixtures used directly for resident care. "Depreciable equipment" means the standard movable resident care equipment and support service equipment generally used in long-term care facilities.

(b) In developing the method for determining payment rates for the rental use of nursing facilities, the commissioner shall consider factors designed to:

(1) simplify the administrative procedures for determining payment rates for property-related costs;

(2) minimize discretionary or appealable decisions;

(3) eliminate any incentives to sell nursing facilities;

(4) recognize legitimate costs of preserving and replacing property;

(5) recognize the existing costs of outstanding indebtedness allowable under the statutes and rules in effect on May 1, 1983;

(6) address the current value of, if used directly for patient care, land improvements, buildings, attached fixtures, and equipment;

(7) establish an investment per bed limitation;

(8) reward efficient management of capital assets;

(9) provide equitable treatment of facilities;

(10) consider a variable rate; and

(11) phase-in implementation of the rental reimbursement method.

(c) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1987, a nursing facility which has reduced licensed bed capacity after January 1, 1986, shall be allowed to:

(1) aggregate the applicable investment per bed limits based on the number of beds licensed prior to the reduction; and

(2) establish capacity days for each rate year following the licensure reduction based on the number of beds licensed on the previous April 1 if the commissioner is notified of the change by April 4. The notification must include a copy of the delicensure request that has been submitted to the commissioner of health.

(d) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, the interest expense that results from a refinancing of a nursing facility's demand call loan, when the loan that must be refinanced was incurred before May 22, 1983, is an allowable interest expense if:

(1) the demand call loan or any part of it was in the form of a loan that was callable at the demand of the lender;

(2) the demand call loan or any part of it was called by the lender through no fault of the nursing facility;

(3) the demand call loan or any part of it was made by a government agency operating under a statutory or regulatory loan program;

(4) the refinanced debt does not exceed the sum of the allowable remaining balance of the demand call loan at the time of payment on the demand call loan and refinancing costs;

(5) the term of the refinanced debt does not exceed the remaining term of the demand call loan, had the debt not been subject to an on-call payment demand; and

(6) the refinanced debt is not a debt between related organizations as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0020, subpart 38.

Subd. 3b. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 3c. Plant and maintenance costs. For the rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1987, the commissioner shall allow as an expense in the reporting year of occurrence the lesser of the actual allowable plant and maintenance costs for supplies, minor equipment, equipment repairs, building repairs, purchased services and service contracts, except for arms-length service contracts whose primary purpose is supervision, or $325 per licensed bed.

Subd. 3d. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 3e. Hospital-attached convalescent and nursing care facilities. If a nonprofit or community-operated hospital and attached convalescent and nursing care facility suspend operation of the hospital, the surviving nursing care facility must be allowed to continue its status as a hospital-attached convalescent and nursing care facility for reimbursement purposes in five subsequent rate years. In the fourth year the facility shall receive 60 percent of the difference between the hospital-attached limit and the freestanding nursing facility limit, and in the fifth year the facility shall receive 30 percent of the difference.

Subd. 3f. Property costs after July 1, 1988. (a) Investment per bed limit. For the rate year beginning July 1, 1988, the replacement-cost-new per bed limit must be $32,571 per licensed bed in multiple bedrooms and $48,857 per licensed bed in a single bedroom. For the rate year beginning July 1, 1989, the replacement-cost-new per bed limit for a single bedroom must be $49,907 adjusted according to Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 4, item A, subitem (1). Beginning January 1, 1990, the replacement-cost-new per bed limits must be adjusted annually as specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 4, item A, subitem (1). Beginning January 1, 1991, the replacement-cost-new per bed limits will be adjusted annually as specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 4, item A, subitem (1), except that the index utilized will be the Bureau of the Census: Composite fixed-weighted price index as published in the C30 Report, Value of New Construction Put in Place.

(b) Rental factor. For the rate year beginning July 1, 1988, the commissioner shall increase the rental factor as established in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 8, item A, by 6.2 percent rounded to the nearest 100th percent for the purpose of reimbursing nursing facilities for soft costs and entrepreneurial profits not included in the cost valuation services used by the state's contracted appraisers. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1989, the rental factor is the amount determined under this paragraph for the rate year beginning July 1, 1988.

(c) Occupancy factor. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1988, in order to determine property-related payment rates under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, for all nursing facilities except those whose average length of stay in a skilled level of care within a nursing facility is 180 days or less, the commissioner shall use 95 percent of capacity days. For a nursing facility whose average length of stay in a skilled level of care within a nursing facility is 180 days or less, the commissioner shall use the greater of resident days or 80 percent of capacity days but in no event shall the divisor exceed 95 percent of capacity days.

(d) Equipment allowance. For rate years beginning on July 1, 1988, and July 1, 1989, the commissioner shall add ten cents per resident per day to each nursing facility's property-related payment rate. The ten-cent property-related payment rate increase is not cumulative from rate year to rate year. For the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, the commissioner shall increase each nursing facility's equipment allowance as established in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 10, by ten cents per resident per day. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1991, the adjusted equipment allowance must be adjusted annually for inflation as in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 10, item E. For the rate period beginning October 1, 1992, the equipment allowance for each nursing facility shall be increased by 28 percent. For rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the allowance must be adjusted annually for inflation.

(e) Post chapter 199 related-organization debts and interest expense. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1990, Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 5, item E, shall not apply to outstanding related organization debt incurred prior to May 23, 1983, provided that the debt was an allowable debt under Minnesota Rules, parts 9510.0010 to 9510.0480, the debt is subject to repayment through annual principal payments, and the nursing facility demonstrates to the commissioner's satisfaction that the interest rate on the debt was less than market interest rates for similar arms-length transactions at the time the debt was incurred. If the debt was incurred due to a sale between family members, the nursing facility must also demonstrate that the seller no longer participates in the management or operation of the nursing facility. Debts meeting the conditions of this paragraph are subject to all other provisions of Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080.

(f) Building capital allowance for nursing facilities with operating leases. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1990, a nursing facility with operating lease costs incurred for the nursing facility's buildings shall receive its building capital allowance computed in accordance with Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 8. If an operating lease provides that the lessee's rent is adjusted to recognize improvements made by the lessor and related debt, the costs for capital improvements and related debt shall be allowed in the computation of the lessee's building capital allowance, provided that reimbursement for these costs under an operating lease shall not exceed the rate otherwise paid.

Subd. 3g. Property costs after July 1, 1990, for certain facilities. (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1990, nursing facilities that, on or after January 1, 1976, but prior to January 1, 1987, were newly licensed after new construction, or increased their licensed beds by a minimum of 35 percent through new construction, and whose building capital allowance is less than their allowable annual principal and interest on allowable debt prior to the application of the replacement-cost-new per bed limit and whose remaining weighted average debt amortization schedule as of January 1, 1988, exceeded 15 years, must receive a property-related payment rate equal to the greater of their rental per diem or their annual allowable principal and allowable interest without application of the replacement-cost-new per bed limit, divided by their capacity days as determined under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, as modified by subdivision 3f, paragraph (c), for the preceding reporting year, plus their equipment allowance. A nursing facility that is eligible for a property-related payment rate under this subdivision and whose property-related payment rate in a subsequent rate year is its rental per diem must continue to have its property-related payment rates established for all future rate years based on the rental reimbursement method in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060.

The commissioner may require the nursing facility to apply for refinancing as a condition of receiving special rate treatment under this subdivision.

(b) If a nursing facility is eligible for a property-related payment rate under this subdivision, and the nursing facility's debt is refinanced after October 1, 1988, the provisions in paragraphs (1) to (7) also apply to the property-related payment rate for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1990.

(1) A nursing facility's refinancing must not include debts with balloon payments.

(2) If the issuance costs, including issuance costs on the debt refinanced, are financed as part of the refinancing, the historical cost of capital assets limit in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 5, item A, subitem (6), includes issuance costs that do not exceed seven percent of the debt refinanced, plus the related issuance costs. For purposes of this paragraph, issuance costs means the fees charged by the underwriter, issuer, attorneys, bond raters, appraisers, and trustees, and includes the cost of printing, title insurance, registration tax, and a feasibility study for the refinancing of a nursing facility's debt. Issuance costs do not include bond premiums or discounts when bonds are sold at other than their par value, points, or a bond reserve fund. To the extent otherwise allowed under this paragraph, the straight-line amortization of the refinancing issuance costs is not an allowable cost.

(3) The annual principal and interest expense payments and any required annual municipal fees on the nursing facility's refinancing replace those of the refinanced debt and, together with annual principal and interest payments on other allowable debts, are allowable costs subject to the limitation on historical cost of capital assets plus issuance costs as limited in paragraph (2), if any.

(4) If the nursing facility's refinancing includes zero coupon bonds, the commissioner shall establish a monthly debt service payment schedule based on an annuity that will produce an amount equal to the zero coupon bonds at maturity. The term and interest rate is the term and interest rate of the zero coupon bonds. Any refinancing to repay the zero coupon bonds is not an allowable cost.

(5) The annual amount of annuity payments is added to the nursing facility's allowable annual principal and interest payment computed in paragraph (3).

(6) The property-related payment rate is equal to the amount in paragraph (5), divided by the nursing facility's capacity days as determined under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, as modified by subdivision 3f, paragraph (c), for the preceding reporting year plus an equipment allowance.

(7) Except as provided in this subdivision, the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060 apply.

Subd. 3h. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 3i. Property costs for the rate year beginning July 1, 1990. Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item H, the commissioner shall determine property-related payment rates for nursing facilities for the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, as follows:

(a) The property-related payment rate for a nursing facility that qualifies under subdivision 3g is the greater of the rate determined under that subdivision or the rate determined under paragraph (c), (d), or (e), whichever is applicable.

(b) Nursing facilities shall be grouped according to the type of property-related payment rate the commissioner determined for the rate year beginning July 1, 1989. A nursing facility whose property-related payment rate was determined under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item A (full rental reimbursement), shall be considered group A. A nursing facility whose property-related payment rate was determined under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item B (phase-down to full rental reimbursement), shall be considered group B. A nursing facility whose property-related payment rate was determined under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item C or D (phase-up to full rental reimbursement), shall be considered group C.

(c) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, a group A nursing facility shall receive its property-related payment rate determined under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section.

(d) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, a Group B nursing facility shall receive the greater of 87 percent of the property-related payment rate in effect on July 1, 1989; or the rental per diem rate determined under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section in effect on July 1, 1990; or the sum of 100 percent of the nursing facility's allowable principal and interest expense, plus its equipment allowance multiplied by the resident days for the reporting year ending September 30, 1989, divided by the nursing facility's capacity days as determined under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, as modified by subdivision 3f, paragraph (c); except that the nursing facility's property-related payment rate must not exceed its property-related payment rate in effect on July 1, 1989.

(e) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, a group C nursing facility shall receive its property-related payment rate determined under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section, except the rate must not exceed the lesser of its property-related payment rate determined for the rate year beginning July 1, 1989, multiplied by 116 percent or its rental per diem rate determined effective July 1, 1990.

(f) The property-related payment rate for a nursing facility that qualifies for a rate adjustment under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item G (special reappraisals), shall have the property-related payment rate determined in paragraphs (a) to (e) adjusted according to the provisions in that rule.

(g) Except as provided in subdivision 4, paragraph (f), and subdivision 11, a nursing facility that has a change in ownership or a reorganization of provider entity is subject to the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item F.

Subd. 3j. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 4. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 5. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1991 c 292 art 7 s 26

Subd. 7. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 8. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 9. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 9a. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 10. Property rate adjustments and construction projects. A nursing facility's request for a property-related payment rate adjustment and the related supporting documentation of project construction cost information must be submitted to the commissioner within 60 days after the construction project's completion date to be considered eligible for a property-related payment rate adjustment. Construction projects with completion dates within one year of the completion date associated with the property rate adjustment request and phased projects with project completion dates within three years of the last phase of the phased project must be aggregated for purposes of the minimum thresholds in subdivisions 16 and 17, and the maximum threshold in section 144A.071, subdivision 2. "Construction project" and "project construction costs" have the meanings given them in Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.071, subdivision 1a.

Subd. 11. Special property rate setting procedures for certain nursing facilities. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item H, to the contrary, for the rate year beginning July 1, 1990, a nursing facility leased prior to January 1, 1986, and currently subject to adverse licensure action under section 144A.04, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), or section 144A.11, subdivision 2, and whose ownership changes prior to July 1, 1990, shall be allowed a property-related payment equal to the lesser of its current lease obligation divided by its capacity days as determined in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, as modified by subdivision 3f, paragraph (c), or the frozen property-related payment rate in effect for the rate year beginning July 1, 1989. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1991, the property-related payment rate shall be its rental rate computed using the previous owner's allowable principal and interest expense as allowed by the department prior to that prior owner's sale and lease-back transaction of December 1985.

(b) Notwithstanding other provisions of applicable law, a nursing facility licensed for 122 beds on January 1, 1998, and located in Columbia Heights shall have its property-related payment rate set under this subdivision. The commissioner shall make a rate adjustment by adding $2.41 to the facility's July 1, 1997, property-related payment rate. The adjusted property-related payment rate shall be effective for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998. The adjustment in this paragraph shall remain in effect so long as the facility's rates are set under this section. If the facility participates in the alternative payment system under section 256B.434, the adjustment in this paragraph shall be included in the facility's contract payment rate. If historical rates or property costs recognized under this section become the basis for future medical assistance payments to the facility under a managed care, capitation, or other alternative payment system, the adjustment in this paragraph shall be included in the computation of the facility's payments.

Subd. 12. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 13. Hold-harmless property-related rates. (a) Terms used in subdivisions 13 to 21 shall be as defined in Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section.

(b) Except as provided in this subdivision, for rate periods beginning on October 1, 1992, and for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the property-related rate for a nursing facility shall be the greater of $4 or the property-related payment rate in effect on September 30, 1992. In addition, the incremental increase in the nursing facility's rental rate will be determined under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section.

(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 13, item F, a nursing facility that has a sale permitted under subdivision 14 after June 30, 1992, shall receive the property-related payment rate in effect at the time of the sale or reorganization. For rate periods beginning after October 1, 1992, and for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, a nursing facility shall receive, in addition to its property-related payment rate in effect at the time of the sale, the incremental increase allowed under subdivision 14.

(d) For rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the property-related rate for a nursing facility licensed after July 1, 1989, after relocating its beds from a separate nursing home to a building formerly used as a hospital and sold during the cost reporting year ending September 30, 1991, shall be its property-related rate prior to the sale in addition to the incremental increases provided under this section effective on October 1, 1992, of 29 cents per day, and any incremental increases after October 1, 1992, calculated by using its rental rate under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section, recognizing the current appraised value of the facility at the new location, and including as allowable debt otherwise allowable debt incurred to remodel the facility in the new location prior to the relocation of beds.

Subd. 14. Limitations on sales of nursing facilities. (a) For rate periods beginning on October 1, 1992, and for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, a nursing facility's property-related payment rate as established under subdivision 13 shall be adjusted by either paragraph (b) or (c) for the sale of the nursing facility, including sales occurring after June 30, 1992, as provided in this subdivision.

(b) If the nursing facility's property-related payment rate under subdivision 13 prior to sale is greater than the nursing facility's rental rate under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section prior to sale, the nursing facility's property-related payment rate after sale shall be the greater of its property-related payment rate under subdivision 13 prior to sale or its rental rate under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section calculated after sale.

(c) If the nursing facility's property-related payment rate under subdivision 13 prior to sale is equal to or less than the nursing facility's rental rate under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section prior to sale, the nursing facility's property-related payment rate after sale shall be the nursing facility's property-related payment rate under subdivision 13 plus the difference between its rental rate calculated under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section prior to sale and its rental rate calculated under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section calculated after sale.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "sale" means the purchase of a nursing facility's capital assets with cash or debt. The term sale does not include a stock purchase of a nursing facility or any of the following transactions:

(1) a sale and leaseback to the same licensee that does not constitute a change in facility license;

(2) a transfer of an interest to a trust;

(3) gifts or other transfers for no consideration;

(4) a merger of two or more related organizations;

(5) a change in the legal form of doing business, other than a publicly held organization that becomes privately held or vice versa;

(6) the addition of a new partner, owner, or shareholder who owns less than 20 percent of the nursing facility or the issuance of stock; and

(7) a sale, merger, reorganization, or any other transfer of interest between related organizations other than those permitted in this section.

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, "sale" includes the sale or transfer of a nursing facility to a close relative as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0020, subpart 38, item C, upon the death of an owner, due to serious illness or disability, as defined under the Social Security Act, under United States Code, title 42, section 423(d)(1)(A), or upon retirement of an owner from the business of owning or operating a nursing home at 62 years of age or older. For sales to a close relative allowed under this paragraph, otherwise nonallowable debt resulting from seller financing of all or a portion of the debt resulting from the sale shall be allowed and shall not be subject to Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 5, item E, provided that in addition to existing requirements for allowance of debt and interest, the debt is subject to repayment through annual principal payments and the interest rate on the related organization debt does not exceed three percentage points above the posted yield for standard conventional fixed rate mortgages of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation for delivery in 60 days in effect on the day of sale. If at any time, the seller forgives the related organization debt allowed under this paragraph for other than equal amount of payment on that debt, then the buyer shall pay to the state the total revenue received by the nursing facility after the sale attributable to the amount of allowable debt which has been forgiven. Any assignment, sale, or transfer of the debt instrument entered into by the close relatives, either directly or indirectly, which grants to the close relative buyer the right to receive all or a portion of the payments under the debt instrument shall, effective on the date of the transfer, result in the prospective reduction in the corresponding portion of the allowable debt and interest expense. Upon the death of the close relative seller, any remaining balance of the close relative debt must be refinanced and such refinancing shall be subject to the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 7, item G. This paragraph shall not apply to sales occurring on or after June 30, 1997.

(f) For purposes of this subdivision, "effective date of sale" means the later of either the date on which legal title to the capital assets is transferred or the date on which closing for the sale occurred.

(g) The effective day for the property-related payment rate determined under this subdivision shall be the first day of the month following the month in which the effective date of sale occurs or October 1, 1992, whichever is later, provided that the notice requirements under section 256B.47, subdivision 2, have been met.

(h) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subparts 5, item A, subitems (3) and (4), and 7, items E and F, the commissioner shall limit the total allowable debt and related interest for sales occurring after June 30, 1992, to the sum of clauses (1) to (3):

(1) the historical cost of capital assets, as of the nursing facility's most recent previous effective date of sale or, if there has been no previous sale, the nursing facility's initial historical cost of constructing capital assets;

(2) the average annual capital asset additions after deduction for capital asset deletions, not including depreciations; and

(3) one-half of the allowed inflation on the nursing facility's capital assets. The commissioner shall compute the allowed inflation as described in paragraph (h).

(i) For purposes of computing the amount of allowed inflation, the commissioner must apply the following principles:

(1) the lesser of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers or the Dodge Construction Systems Costs for Nursing Homes for any time periods during which both are available must be used. If the Dodge Construction Systems Costs for Nursing Homes becomes unavailable, the commissioner shall substitute the index in subdivision 3f, or such other index as the secretary of the health care financing administration may designate;

(2) the amount of allowed inflation to be applied to the capital assets in paragraph (g), clauses (1) and (2), must be computed separately;

(3) the amount of allowed inflation must be determined on an annual basis, prorated on a monthly basis for partial years and if the initial month of use is not determinable for a capital asset, then one-half of that calendar year shall be used for purposes of prorating;

(4) the amount of allowed inflation to be applied to the capital assets in paragraph (g), clauses (1) and (2), must not exceed 300 percent of the total capital assets in any one of those clauses; and

(5) the allowed inflation must be computed starting with the month following the nursing facility's most recent previous effective date of sale or, if there has been no previous sale, the month following the date of the nursing facility's initial occupancy, and ending with the month preceding the effective date of sale.

(j) If the historical cost of a capital asset is not readily available for the date of the nursing facility's most recent previous sale or if there has been no previous sale for the date of the nursing facility's initial occupancy, then the commissioner shall limit the total allowable debt and related interest after sale to the extent recognized by the Medicare intermediary after the sale. For a nursing facility that has no historical capital asset cost data available and does not have allowable debt and interest calculated by the Medicare intermediary, the commissioner shall use the historical cost of capital asset data from the point in time for which capital asset data is recorded in the nursing facility's audited financial statements.

(k) The limitations in this subdivision apply only to debt resulting from a sale of a nursing facility occurring after June 30, 1992, including debt assumed by the purchaser of the nursing facility.

Subd. 15. Capital repair and replacement cost reporting and rate calculation. For rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, a nursing facility's capital repair and replacement payment rate shall be established annually as provided in paragraphs (a) to (e).

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 12, the costs of any of the following items not included in the equity incentive computations under subdivision 16 or reported as a capital asset addition under subdivision 18, paragraph (b), including cash payment for equity investment and principal and interest expense for debt financing, must be reported in the capital repair and replacement cost category:

(1) wall coverings;

(2) paint;

(3) floor coverings;

(4) window coverings;

(5) roof repair; and

(6) window repair or replacement.

(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 12, the repair or replacement of a capital asset not included in the equity incentive computations under subdivision 16 or reported as a capital asset addition under subdivision 18, paragraph (b), must be reported under this subdivision when the cost of the item exceeds $500, or in the plant operations and maintenance cost category when the cost of the item is equal to or less than $500.

(c) To compute the capital repair and replacement payment rate, the allowable annual repair and replacement costs for the reporting year must be divided by actual resident days for the reporting year. The annual allowable capital repair and replacement costs shall not exceed $150 per licensed bed. The excess of the allowed capital repair and replacement costs over the capital repair and replacement limit shall be a cost carryover to succeeding cost reporting periods, except that sale of a facility, under subdivision 14, shall terminate the carryover of all costs except those incurred in the most recent cost reporting year. The termination of the carryover shall have effect on the capital repair and replacement rate on the same date as provided in subdivision 14, paragraph (f), for the sale. For rate years beginning after June 30, 1994, the capital repair and replacement limit shall be subject to the index provided in subdivision 3f, paragraph (a). For purposes of this subdivision, the number of licensed beds shall be the number used to calculate the nursing facility's capacity days. The capital repair and replacement rate must be added to the nursing facility's total payment rate.

(d) Capital repair and replacement costs under this subdivision shall not be counted as either care-related or other operating costs, nor subject to care-related or other operating limits.

(e) If costs otherwise allowable under this subdivision are incurred as the result of a project approved under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073, or in connection with an addition to or replacement of buildings, attached fixtures, or land improvements for which the total historical cost of these assets exceeds the lesser of $150,000 or ten percent of the nursing facility's appraised value, these costs must be claimed under subdivision 16 or 17, as appropriate.

Subd. 16. Major additions and replacements; equity incentive. For rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, if a nursing facility acquires capital assets in connection with a project approved under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073 or in connection with an addition to or replacement of buildings, attached fixtures, or land improvements for which the total historical cost of those capital asset additions exceeds the lesser of $150,000 or ten percent of the most recent appraised value, the nursing facility shall be eligible for an equity incentive payment rate as in paragraphs (a) to (d). This computation is separate from the determination of the nursing facility's rental rate. An equity incentive payment rate as computed under this subdivision is limited to one in a 12-month period.

(a) An eligible nursing facility shall receive an equity incentive payment rate equal to the allowable historical cost of the capital asset acquired, minus the allowable debt directly identified to that capital asset, multiplied by the equity incentive factor as described in paragraphs (b) and (c), and divided by the nursing facility's occupancy factor under subdivision 3f, paragraph (c). This amount shall be added to the nursing facility's total payment rate and shall be effective the same day as the incremental increase in paragraph (d) or subdivision 17. The allowable historical cost of the capital assets and the allowable debt shall be determined as provided in Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section.

(b) The equity incentive factor shall be determined under clauses (1) to (4):

(1) divide the initial allowable debt in paragraph (a) by the initial historical cost of the capital asset additions referred to in paragraph (a), then cube the quotient,

(2) subtract the amount calculated in clause (1) from the number one,

(3) determine the difference between the rental factor and the lesser of two percentage points above the posted yield for standard conventional fixed rate mortgages of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation as published in the Wall Street Journal and in effect on the first day of the month the debt or cost is incurred, or 16 percent,

(4) multiply the amount calculated in clause (2) by the amount calculated in clause (3).

(c) The equity incentive payment rate shall be limited to the term of the allowable debt in paragraph (a), not greater than 20 years nor less than ten years. If no debt is incurred in acquiring the capital asset, the equity incentive payment rate shall be paid for ten years. The sale of a nursing facility under subdivision 14 shall terminate application of the equity incentive payment rate effective on the date provided in subdivision 14, paragraph (f), for the sale.

(d) A nursing facility with an addition to or a renovation of its buildings, attached fixtures, or land improvements meeting the criteria in this subdivision and not receiving the property-related payment rate adjustment in subdivision 17, shall receive the incremental increase in the nursing facility's rental rate as determined under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section. The incremental increase shall be added to the nursing facility's property-related payment rate. The effective date of this incremental increase shall be the first day of the month following the month in which the addition or replacement is completed.

Subd. 17. Special provisions for moratorium exceptions. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 3, for rate periods beginning on October 1, 1992, and for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, a nursing facility that (1) has completed a construction project approved under section 144A.071, subdivision 4a, clause (m); (2) has completed a construction project approved under section 144A.071, subdivision 4a, and effective after June 30, 1995; or (3) has completed a renovation, replacement, or upgrading project approved under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073 shall be reimbursed for costs directly identified to that project as provided in subdivision 16 and this subdivision.

(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subparts 5, item A, subitems (1) and (3), and 7, item D, allowable interest expense on debt shall include:

(1) interest expense on debt related to the cost of purchasing or replacing depreciable equipment, excluding vehicles, not to exceed six percent of the total historical cost of the project; and

(2) interest expense on debt related to financing or refinancing costs, including costs related to points, loan origination fees, financing charges, legal fees, and title searches; and issuance costs including bond discounts, bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, corporate counsel, printing, and financial forecasts. Allowable debt related to items in this clause shall not exceed seven percent of the total historical cost of the project. To the extent these costs are financed, the straight-line amortization of the costs in this clause is not an allowable cost; and

(3) interest on debt incurred for the establishment of a debt reserve fund, net of the interest earned on the debt reserve fund.

(c) Debt incurred for costs under paragraph (b) is not subject to Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 5, item A, subitem (5) or (6).

(d) The incremental increase in a nursing facility's rental rate, determined under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section, resulting from the acquisition of allowable capital assets, and allowable debt and interest expense under this subdivision shall be added to its property-related payment rate and shall be effective on the first day of the month following the month in which the moratorium project was completed.

(e) Notwithstanding subdivision 3f, paragraph (a), for rate periods beginning on October 1, 1992, and for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the replacement-costs-new per bed limit to be used in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 4, item B, for a nursing facility that has completed a renovation, replacement, or upgrading project that has been approved under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073, or that has completed an addition to or replacement of buildings, attached fixtures, or land improvements for which the total historical cost exceeds the lesser of $150,000 or ten percent of the most recent appraised value, must be $47,500 per licensed bed in multiple-bed rooms and $71,250 per licensed bed in a single-bed room. These amounts must be adjusted annually as specified in subdivision 3f, paragraph (a), beginning January 1, 1993.

(f) For purposes of this paragraph, a total replacement means the complete replacement of the nursing facility's physical plant through the construction of a new physical plant, the transfer of the nursing facility's license from one physical plant location to another, or a new building addition to relocate beds from three- and four-bed wards. For total replacement projects completed on or after July 1, 1992, the commissioner shall compute the incremental change in the nursing facility's rental per diem, for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1995, by replacing its appraised value, including the historical capital asset costs, and the capital debt and interest costs with the new nursing facility's allowable capital asset costs and the related allowable capital debt and interest costs. If the new nursing facility has decreased its licensed capacity, the aggregate investment per bed limit in subdivision 3a, paragraph (c), shall apply. If the new nursing facility has retained a portion of the original physical plant for nursing facility usage, then a portion of the appraised value prior to the replacement must be retained and included in the calculation of the incremental change in the nursing facility's rental per diem. For purposes of this part, the original nursing facility means the nursing facility prior to the total replacement project. The portion of the appraised value to be retained shall be calculated according to clauses (1) to (3):

(1) The numerator of the allocation ratio shall be the square footage of the area in the original physical plant which is being retained for nursing facility usage.

(2) The denominator of the allocation ratio shall be the total square footage of the original nursing facility physical plant.

(3) Each component of the nursing facility's allowable appraised value prior to the total replacement project shall be multiplied by the allocation ratio developed by dividing clause (1) by clause (2).

In the case of either type of total replacement as authorized under section 144A.071 or 144A.073, the provisions of this subdivision shall also apply. For purposes of the moratorium exception authorized under section 144A.071, subdivision 4a, paragraph (s), if the total replacement involves the renovation and use of an existing health care facility physical plant, the new allowable capital asset costs and related debt and interest costs shall include first the allowable capital asset costs and related debt and interest costs of the renovation, to which shall be added the allowable capital asset costs of the existing physical plant prior to the renovation, and if reported by the facility, the related allowable capital debt and interest costs.

(g) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, item C, subitem (2), for a total replacement, as defined in paragraph (f), authorized under section 144A.071 or 144A.073 after July 1, 1999, or any building project that is a relocation, renovation, upgrading, or conversion completed on or after July 1, 2001, the replacement-costs-new per bed limit shall be $74,280 per licensed bed in multiple-bed rooms, $92,850 per licensed bed in semiprivate rooms with a fixed partition separating the resident beds, and $111,420 per licensed bed in single rooms. Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, item C, subitem (2), does not apply. These amounts must be adjusted annually as specified in subdivision 3f, paragraph (a), beginning January 1, 2000.

(h) For a total replacement, as defined in paragraph (f), authorized under section 144A.073 for a 96-bed nursing home in Carlton county, the replacement-costs-new per bed limit shall be $74,280 per licensed bed in multiple-bed rooms, $92,850 per licensed bed in semiprivate rooms with a fixed partition separating the resident's beds, and $111,420 per licensed bed in a single room. Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, item C, subitem (2), does not apply. The resulting maximum allowable replacement-costs-new multiplied by 1.25 shall constitute the project's dollar threshold for purposes of application of the limit set forth in section 144A.071, subdivision 2. The commissioner of health may waive the requirements of section 144A.073, subdivision 3b, paragraph (b), clause (2), on the condition that the other requirements of that paragraph are met.

(i) For a renovation authorized under section 144A.073 for a 65-bed nursing home in St. Louis county, the incremental increase in rental rate for purposes of paragraph (d) shall be $8.16, and the total replacement cost, allowable appraised value, allowable debt, and allowable interest shall be increased according to the incremental increase.

(j) For a total replacement, as defined in paragraph (f), authorized under section 144A.073 involving a new building addition that relocates beds from three-bed wards for an 80-bed nursing home in Redwood county, the replacement-costs-new per bed limit shall be $74,280 per licensed bed for multiple-bed rooms; $92,850 per licensed bed for semiprivate rooms with a fixed partition separating the beds; and $111,420 per licensed bed for single rooms. These amounts shall be adjusted annually, beginning January 1, 2001. Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11, item C, subitem (2), does not apply. The resulting maximum allowable replacement-costs-new multiplied by 1.25 shall constitute the project's dollar threshold for purposes of application of the limit set forth in section 144A.071, subdivision 2. The commissioner of health may waive the requirements of section 144A.073, subdivision 3b, paragraph (b), clause (2), on the condition that the other requirements of that paragraph are met.

Subd. 18. Updating appraisals, additions, and replacements. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subparts 1 to 3, the appraised value, routine updating of the appraised value, and special reappraisals are subject to this subdivision.

For all rate years after June 30, 1993, the commissioner shall no longer conduct any appraisals under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, for the purpose of determining property-related payment rates.

(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 2, for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the commissioner shall routinely update the appraised value of each nursing facility by adding the cost of capital asset acquisitions to its allowable appraised value.

The commissioner shall also annually index each nursing facility's allowable appraised value by the inflation index referenced in subdivision 3f, paragraph (a), for the purpose of computing the nursing facility's annual rental rate. In annually adjusting the nursing facility's appraised value, the commissioner must not include the historical cost of capital assets acquired during the reporting year in the nursing facility's appraised value.

In addition, the nursing facility's appraised value must be reduced by the historical cost of capital asset disposals or applicable credits such as public grants and insurance proceeds. Capital asset additions and disposals must be reported on the nursing facility's annual cost report in the reporting year of acquisition or disposal. The incremental increase in the nursing facility's rental rate resulting from this annual adjustment as determined under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section shall be added to the nursing facility's property-related payment rate for the rate year following the reporting year.

Subd. 19. Refinancing incentive. (a) A nursing facility that refinances debt after May 30, 1992, in order to save in interest expense payments as determined in clauses (1) to (5) may be eligible for the refinancing incentive under this subdivision. To be eligible for the refinancing incentive, a nursing facility must notify the commissioner in writing of such a refinancing within 60 days following the date on which the refinancing occurs. If the nursing facility meets these conditions, the commissioner shall determine the refinancing incentive as in clauses (1) to (5).

(1) Compute the aggregate amount of interest expense, including amortized issuance and financing costs, remaining on the debt to be refinanced, and divide this amount by the number of years remaining for the term of that debt.

(2) Compute the aggregate amount of interest expense, including amortized issuance and financing costs, for the new debt, and divide this amount by the number of years for the term of that debt.

(3) Subtract the amount in clause (2) from the amount in clause (1), and multiply the amount, if positive, by .5.

(4) The amount in clause (3) shall be divided by the nursing facility's occupancy factor under subdivision 3f, paragraph (c).

(5) The per diem amount in clause (4) shall be deducted from the nursing facility's property-related payment rate for three full rate years following the rate year in which the refinancing occurs. For the fourth full rate year following the rate year in which the refinancing occurs, and each rate year thereafter, the per diem amount in clause (4) shall again be deducted from the nursing facility's property-related payment rate.

(b) An increase in a nursing facility's debt for costs in subdivision 17, paragraph (b), clause (2), including the cost of refinancing the issuance or financing costs of the debt refinanced resulting from refinancing that meets the conditions of this section shall be allowed, notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 5, item A, subitem (6).

(c) The proceeds of refinancing may not be used for the purpose of withdrawing equity from the nursing facility.

(d) Sale of a nursing facility under subdivision 14 shall terminate the payment of the incentive payments under this subdivision effective the date provided in subdivision 14, paragraph (f), for the sale, and the full amount of the refinancing incentive in paragraph (a) shall be implemented.

(e) If a nursing facility eligible under this subdivision fails to notify the commissioner as required, the commissioner shall determine the full amount of the refinancing incentive in paragraph (a), and shall deduct one-half that amount from the nursing facility's property-related payment rate effective the first day of the month following the month in which the refinancing is completed. For the next three full rate years, the commissioner shall deduct one-half the amount in paragraph (a), clause (5). The remaining per diem amount shall be deducted in each rate year thereafter.

(f) The commissioner shall reestablish the nursing facility's rental rate under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section following the refinancing using the new debt and interest expense information for the purpose of measuring future incremental rental increases.

Subd. 20. Special property rate setting. For rate periods beginning on October 1, 1992, and for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993, the property-related payment rate for a nursing facility approved for total replacement under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073 through an addition to another nursing facility shall have its property-related rate under subdivision 13 recalculated using the greater of actual resident days or 80 percent of capacity days. This rate shall apply until the nursing facility is replaced or until the moratorium exception authority lapses, whichever is sooner.

Subd. 21. Indexing thresholds. Beginning January 1, 1993, and each January 1 thereafter, the commissioner shall annually update the dollar thresholds in subdivisions 15, paragraph (e), 16, and 17, and in section 144A.071, subdivisions 2 and 4a, clauses (b) and (e), by the inflation index referenced in subdivision 3f, paragraph (a).

Subd. 22. Changes to nursing facility reimbursement. The nursing facility reimbursement changes in paragraphs (a) to (d) apply to Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section, and are effective for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1993, unless otherwise indicated.

(a) In addition to the approved pension or profit sharing plans allowed by the reimbursement rule, the commissioner shall allow those plans specified in Internal Revenue Code, sections 403(b) and 408(k).

(b) The commissioner shall allow as workers' compensation insurance costs under section 256B.421, subdivision 14, the costs of workers' compensation coverage obtained under the following conditions:

(1) a plan approved by the commissioner of commerce as a Minnesota group or individual self-insurance plan as provided in section 79A.03;

(2) a plan in which:

(i) the nursing facility, directly or indirectly, purchases workers' compensation coverage in compliance with section 176.181, subdivision 2, from an authorized insurance carrier;

(ii) a related organization to the nursing facility reinsures the workers' compensation coverage purchased, directly or indirectly, by the nursing facility; and

(iii) all of the conditions in clause (4) are met;

(3) a plan in which:

(i) the nursing facility, directly or indirectly, purchases workers' compensation coverage in compliance with section 176.181, subdivision 2, from an authorized insurance carrier;

(ii) the insurance premium is calculated retrospectively, including a maximum premium limit, and paid using the paid loss retro method; and

(iii) all of the conditions in clause (4) are met;

(4) additional conditions are:

(i) the costs of the plan are allowable under the federal Medicare program;

(ii) the reserves for the plan are maintained in an account controlled and administered by a person which is not a related organization to the nursing facility;

(iii) the reserves for the plan cannot be used, directly or indirectly, as collateral for debts incurred or other obligations of the nursing facility or related organizations to the nursing facility;

(iv) if the plan provides workers' compensation coverage for non-Minnesota nursing facilities, the plan's cost methodology must be consistent among all nursing facilities covered by the plan, and if reasonable, is allowed notwithstanding any reimbursement laws regarding cost allocation to the contrary;

(v) central, affiliated, corporate, or nursing facility costs related to their administration of the plan are costs which must remain in the nursing facility's administrative cost category and must not be allocated to other cost categories;

(vi) required security deposits, whether in the form of cash, investments, securities, assets, letters of credit, or in any other form are not allowable costs for purposes of establishing the facilities payment rate; and

(vii) for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998, a group of nursing facilities related by common ownership that self-insures workers' compensation may allocate its directly identified costs of self-insuring its Minnesota nursing facility workers among those nursing facilities in the group that are reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434. The method of cost allocation shall be based on the ratio of each nursing facility's total allowable salaries and wages to that of the nursing facility group's total allowable salaries and wages, then similarly allocated within each nursing facility's operating cost categories. The costs associated with the administration of the group's self-insurance plan must remain classified in the nursing facility's administrative cost category. A written request of the nursing facility group's election to use this alternate method of allocation of self-insurance costs must be received by the commissioner no later than May 1, 1998, to take effect July 1, 1998, or such costs shall continue to be allocated under the existing cost allocation methods. Once a nursing facility group elects this method of cost allocation for its workers' compensation self-insurance costs, it shall remain in effect until such time as the group no longer self-insures these costs;

(5) any costs allowed pursuant to clauses (1) to (3) are subject to the following requirements:

(i) if the nursing facility is sold or otherwise ceases operations, the plan's reserves must be subject to an actuarially based settle-up after 36 months from the date of sale or the date on which operations ceased. The facility's medical assistance portion of the total excess plan reserves must be paid to the state within 30 days following the date on which excess plan reserves are determined;

(ii) any distribution of excess plan reserves made to or withdrawals made by the nursing facility or a related organization are applicable credits and must be used to reduce the nursing facility's workers' compensation insurance costs in the reporting period in which a distribution or withdrawal is received;

(iii) if reimbursement for the plan is sought under the federal Medicare program, and is audited pursuant to the Medicare program, the nursing facility must provide a copy of Medicare's final audit report, including attachments and exhibits, to the commissioner within 30 days of receipt by the nursing facility or any related organization. The commissioner shall implement the audit findings associated with the plan upon receipt of Medicare's final audit report. The department's authority to implement the audit findings is independent of its authority to conduct a field audit.

(c) In the determination of incremental increases in the nursing facility's rental rate as required in subdivisions 14 to 21, except for a refinancing permitted under subdivision 19, the commissioner must adjust the nursing facility's property-related payment rate for both incremental increases and decreases in recomputations of its rental rate;

(d) A nursing facility's administrative cost limitation must be modified as follows:

(1) if the nursing facility's licensed beds exceed 195 licensed beds, the general and administrative cost category limitation shall be 13 percent;

(2) if the nursing facility's licensed beds are more than 150 licensed beds, but less than 196 licensed beds, the general and administrative cost category limitation shall be 14 percent; or

(3) if the nursing facility's licensed beds is less than 151 licensed beds, the general and administrative cost category limitation shall remain at 15 percent.

(e) For the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998, a group of nursing facilities related by common ownership that self-insures group health, dental, or life insurance may allocate its directly identified costs of self-insuring its Minnesota nursing facility workers among those nursing facilities in the group that are reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434. The method of cost allocation shall be based on the ratio of each nursing facility's total allowable salaries and wages to that of the nursing facility group's total allowable salaries and wages, then similarly allocated within each nursing facility's operating cost categories. The costs associated with the administration of the group's self-insurance plan must remain classified in the nursing facility's administrative cost category. A written request of the nursing facility group's election to use this alternate method of allocation of self-insurance costs must be received by the commissioner no later than May 1, 1998, to take effect July 1, 1998, or those self-insurance costs shall continue to be allocated under the existing cost allocation methods. Once a nursing facility group elects this method of cost allocation for its group health, dental, or life insurance self-insurance costs, it shall remain in effect until such time as the group no longer self-insures these costs.

Subd. 23. County nursing home payment adjustments. (a) Beginning in 1994, the commissioner shall pay a nursing home payment adjustment on May 31 after noon to a county in which is located a nursing home that, as of January 1 of the previous year, was county-owned and operated, with the county named as licensee by the commissioner of health, and had over 40 beds and medical assistance occupancy in excess of 50 percent during the reporting year ending September 30, 1991. The adjustment shall be an amount equal to $16 per calendar day multiplied by the number of beds licensed in the facility as of September 30, 1991.

(b) Payments under paragraph (a) are excluded from medical assistance per diem rate calculations. These payments are required notwithstanding any rule prohibiting medical assistance payments from exceeding payments from private pay residents. A facility receiving a payment under paragraph (a) may not increase charges to private pay residents by an amount equivalent to the per diem amount payments under paragraph (a) would equal if converted to a per diem.

Subd. 24. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 25. Changes to nursing facility reimbursement beginning July 1, 1995. A nursing facility licensed for 302 beds on September 30, 1993, that was approved under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073 for a partial replacement, and completed the replacement project in December 1994, is exempt from Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 256B.431, subdivision 25, paragraphs (b) to (d) for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1995.

For the rate year beginning July 1, 1997, after computing this nursing facility's payment rate according to section 256B.434, the commissioner shall make a one-year rate adjustment of $8.62 to the facility's contract payment rate for the rate effect of operating cost changes associated with the facility's 1994 downsizing project.

For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall add 35 cents to the facility's base property related payment rate for the rate effect of reducing its licensed capacity to 290 beds from 302 beds and shall add 83 cents to the facility's real estate tax and special assessment payment rate for payments in lieu of real estate taxes. The adjustments in this clause shall remain in effect for the duration of the facility's contract under section 256B.434.

Subd. 26. Changes to nursing facility reimbursement beginning July 1, 1997. The nursing facility reimbursement changes in paragraphs (a) to (e) shall apply in the sequence specified in Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section, beginning July 1, 1997.

(a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall limit a nursing facility's allowable operating per diem for each case mix category for each rate year. The commissioner shall group nursing facilities into two groups, freestanding and nonfreestanding, within each geographic group, using their operating cost per diem for the case mix A classification. A nonfreestanding nursing facility is a nursing facility whose other operating cost per diem is subject to the hospital attached, short length of stay, or the rule 80 limits. All other nursing facilities shall be considered freestanding nursing facilities. The commissioner shall then array all nursing facilities in each grouping by their allowable case mix A operating cost per diem. In calculating a nursing facility's operating cost per diem for this purpose, the commissioner shall exclude the raw food cost per diem related to providing special diets that are based on religious beliefs, as determined in subdivision 2b, paragraph (h). For those nursing facilities in each grouping whose case mix A operating cost per diem:

(1) is at or below the median of the array, the commissioner shall limit the nursing facility's allowable operating cost per diem for each case mix category to the lesser of the prior reporting year's allowable operating cost per diem as specified in Laws 1996, chapter 451, article 3, section 11, paragraph (h), plus the inflation factor as established in paragraph (d), clause (2), increased by two percentage points, or the current reporting year's corresponding allowable operating cost per diem; or

(2) is above the median of the array, the commissioner shall limit the nursing facility's allowable operating cost per diem for each case mix category to the lesser of the prior reporting year's allowable operating cost per diem as specified in Laws 1996, chapter 451, article 3, section 11, paragraph (h), plus the inflation factor as established in paragraph (d), clause (2), increased by one percentage point, or the current reporting year's corresponding allowable operating cost per diem.

For purposes of paragraph (a), if a nursing facility reports on its cost report a reduction in cost due to a refund or credit for a rate year beginning on or after July 1, 1998, the commissioner shall increase that facility's spend-up limit for the rate year following the current rate year by the amount of the cost reduction divided by its resident days for the reporting year preceding the rate year in which the adjustment is to be made.

(b) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall limit the allowable operating cost per diem for high cost nursing facilities. After application of the limits in paragraph (a) to each nursing facility's operating cost per diem, the commissioner shall group nursing facilities into two groups, freestanding or nonfreestanding, within each geographic group. A nonfreestanding nursing facility is a nursing facility whose other operating cost per diem are subject to hospital attached, short length of stay, or rule 80 limits. All other nursing facilities shall be considered freestanding nursing facilities. The commissioner shall then array all nursing facilities within each grouping by their allowable case mix A operating cost per diem. In calculating a nursing facility's operating cost per diem for this purpose, the commissioner shall exclude the raw food cost per diem related to providing special diets that are based on religious beliefs, as determined in subdivision 2b, paragraph (h). For those nursing facilities in each grouping whose case mix A operating cost per diem exceeds 1.0 standard deviation above the median, the commissioner shall reduce their allowable operating cost per diem by three percent. For those nursing facilities in each grouping whose case mix A operating cost per diem exceeds 0.5 standard deviation above the median but is less than or equal to 1.0 standard deviation above the median, the commissioner shall reduce their allowable operating cost per diem by two percent. However, in no case shall a nursing facility's operating cost per diem be reduced below its grouping's limit established at 0.5 standard deviations above the median.

(c) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall determine a nursing facility's efficiency incentive by first computing the allowable difference, which is the lesser of $4.50 or the amount by which the facility's other operating cost limit exceeds its nonadjusted other operating cost per diem for that rate year. The commissioner shall compute the efficiency incentive by:

(1) subtracting the allowable difference from $4.50 and dividing the result by $4.50;

(2) multiplying 0.20 by the ratio resulting from clause (1), and then;

(3) adding 0.50 to the result from clause (2); and

(4) multiplying the result from clause (3) times the allowable difference.

The nursing facility's efficiency incentive payment shall be the lesser of $2.25 or the product obtained in clause (4).

(d) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the forecasted price index for a nursing facility's allowable operating cost per diem shall be determined under clauses (1) and (2) using the change in the Consumer Price Index-All Items (United States city average) (CPI-U) as forecasted by Data Resources, Inc. The commissioner shall use the indices as forecasted in the fourth quarter of the calendar year preceding the rate year, subject to subdivision 2l, paragraph (c).

(1) The CPI-U forecasted index for allowable operating cost per diem shall be based on the 21-month period from the midpoint of the nursing facility's reporting year to the midpoint of the rate year following the reporting year.

(2) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, the forecasted index for operating cost limits referred to in subdivision 21, paragraph (b), shall be based on the CPI-U for the 12-month period between the midpoints of the two reporting years preceding the rate year.

(e) After applying these provisions for the respective rate years, the commissioner shall index these allowable operating cost per diem by the inflation factor provided for in paragraph (d), clause (1), and add the nursing facility's efficiency incentive as computed in paragraph (c).

(f) For the rate years beginning on July 1, 1997, July 1, 1998, and July 1, 1999, a nursing facility licensed for 40 beds effective May 1, 1992, with a subsequent increase of 20 Medicare/Medicaid certified beds, effective January 26, 1993, in accordance with an increase in licensure is exempt from paragraphs (a) and (b).

(g) For a nursing facility whose construction project was authorized according to section 144A.073, subdivision 5, paragraph (g), the operating cost payment rates for the new location shall be determined based on Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0057. The relocation allowed under section 144A.073, subdivision 5, paragraph (g), and the rate determination allowed under this paragraph must meet the cost neutrality requirements of section 144A.073, subdivision 3c. Paragraphs (a) and (b) shall not apply until the second rate year after the settle-up cost report is filed. Notwithstanding subdivision 2b, paragraph (g), real estate taxes and special assessments payable by the new location, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, shall be included in the payment rates determined under this subdivision for all subsequent rate years.

(h) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall compute the payment rate for a nursing facility licensed for 94 beds on September 30, 1996, that applied in October 1993 for approval of a total replacement under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073, and completed the approved replacement in June 1995, with other operating cost spend-up limit under paragraph (a), increased by $3.98, and after computing the facility's payment rate according to this section, the commissioner shall make a one-year positive rate adjustment of $3.19 for operating costs related to the newly constructed total replacement, without application of paragraphs (a) and (b). The facility's per diem, before the $3.19 adjustment, shall be used as the prior reporting year's allowable operating cost per diem for payment rate calculation for the rate year beginning July 1, 1998. A facility described in this paragraph is exempt from paragraph (b) for the rate years beginning July 1, 1997, and July 1, 1998.

(i) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Kandiyohi county licensed for 86 beds that was granted hospital-attached status on December 1, 1994, shall have the prior year's allowable care-related per diem increased by $3.207 and the prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $4.777 before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1997.

(j) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in paragraph (a), a 117 bed nursing facility located in Pine county shall have the prior year's allowable other operating cost per diem increased by $1.50 before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1997.

(k) For the purpose of applying the limit under paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Hibbing licensed for 192 beds shall have the prior year's allowable other operating cost per diem increased by $2.67 before adding the inflation in paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning July 1, 1997.

Subd. 27. Changes to nursing facility reimbursement beginning July 1, 1998. (a) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in subdivision 26, paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed for 181 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's allowable care-related per diem increased by $1.455 and the prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.439 before adding the inflation in subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998.

(b) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in subdivision 26, paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed for 161 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's allowable care-related per diem increased by $1.154 and the prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.256 before adding the inflation in subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998.

(c) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in subdivision 26, paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Ramsey county licensed for 176 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's allowable care-related per diem increased by $0.803 and the prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.272 before adding the inflation in subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998.

(d) For the purpose of applying the limit stated in subdivision 26, paragraph (a), a nursing facility in Brown county licensed for 86 beds on September 30, 1996, shall have the prior year's allowable care-related per diem increased by $0.850 and the prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $0.275 before adding the inflation in subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), for the rate year beginning on July 1, 1998.

(e) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1998, the commissioner shall compute the payment rate for a nursing facility, which was licensed for 110 beds on May 1, 1997, was granted approval in January 1994 for a replacement and remodeling project under the moratorium exception process in section 144A.073, and completed the approved replacement and remodeling project on March 14, 1997, by increasing the other operating cost spend-up limit under paragraph (a) by $1.64. After computing the facility's payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 1998, according to this section, the commissioner shall make a one-year positive rate adjustment of 48 cents for increased real estate taxes resulting from completion of the moratorium exception project, without application of paragraphs (a) and (b).

(f) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1998, the commissioner shall compute the payment rate for a nursing facility exempted from care-related limits under subdivision 2b, paragraph (d), clause (2), with a minimum of three-quarters of its beds licensed to provide residential services for the physically handicapped under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 9570.3400, with the care-related spend-up limit under subdivision 26, paragraph (a), increased by $13.21 for the rate year beginning July 1, 1998, without application of subdivision 26, paragraph (b). For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1999, the commissioner shall exclude that amount in calculating the facility's operating cost per diem for purposes of applying subdivision 26, paragraph (b).

(g) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1998, a nursing facility in Canby, Minnesota, licensed for 75 beds shall be reimbursed without the limitation imposed under subdivision 26, paragraph (a), and for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1999, its base costs shall be calculated on the basis of its September 30, 1997, cost report.

(h) The nursing facility reimbursement changes in paragraphs (i) and (j) shall apply in the sequence specified in this section and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, beginning July 1, 1998.

(i) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, the operating cost limits established in subdivisions 2, 2b, 2i, 3c, and 22, paragraph (d), and any previously effective corresponding limits in law or rule shall not apply, except that these cost limits shall still be calculated for purposes of determining efficiency incentive per diems. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, the total operating cost payment rates for a nursing facility shall be the greater of the total operating cost payment rates determined under this section or the total operating cost payment rates in effect on June 30, 1998, subject to rate adjustments due to field audit or rate appeal resolution.

(j) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, the operating cost per diem referred to in subdivision 26, paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), is the sum of the care-related and other operating per diems for a given case mix class. Any reductions to the combined operating per diem shall be divided proportionately between the care-related and other operating per diems.

(k) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, the commissioner shall modify the determination of the spend-up limits referred to in subdivision 26, paragraph (a), by indexing each group's previous year's median value by the factor in subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), plus one percentage point.

(l) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, the commissioner shall modify the determination of the high cost limits referred to in subdivision 26, paragraph (b), by indexing each group's previous year's high cost per diem limits at .5 and one standard deviations above the median by the factor in subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2), plus one percentage point.

Subd. 28. Nursing facility rate increases beginning July 1, 1999, and July 1, 2000. (a) For the rate years beginning July 1, 1999, and July 1, 2000, the commissioner shall make available to each nursing facility reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434 an adjustment to the total operating payment rate. For nursing facilities reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434, the July 1, 2000, operating payment rate increases provided in this subdivision shall be applied to each facility's June 30, 2000, operating payment rate. For each facility, total operating costs shall be separated into costs that are compensation related and all other costs. Compensation-related costs include salaries, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits for all employees except management fees, the administrator, and central office staff.

(b) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1999, the commissioner shall make available a rate increase for compensation-related costs of 4.843 percent and a rate increase for all other operating costs of 3.446 percent.

(c) For the rate year beginning July 1, 2000, the commissioner shall make available:

(1) a rate increase for compensation-related costs of 3.632 percent;

(2) an additional rate increase for each case mix payment rate which must be used to increase the per-hour pay rate of all employees except management fees, the administrator, and central office staff by an equal dollar amount and to pay associated costs for FICA, the Medicare tax, workers' compensation premiums, and federal and state unemployment insurance, to be calculated according to clauses (i) to (iii):

(i) the commissioner shall calculate the arithmetic mean of the 11 June 30, 2000, operating rates for each facility;

(ii) the commissioner shall construct an array of nursing facilities from highest to lowest, according to the arithmetic mean calculated in clause (i). A numerical rank shall be assigned to each facility in the array. The facility with the highest mean shall be assigned a numerical rank of one. The facility with the lowest mean shall be assigned a numerical rank equal to the total number of nursing facilities in the array. All other facilities shall be assigned a numerical rank in accordance with their position in the array;

(iii) the amount of the additional rate increase shall be $1 plus an amount equal to $3.13 multiplied by the ratio of the facility's numeric rank divided by the number of facilities in the array; and

(3) a rate increase for all other operating costs of 2.585 percent.

Money received by a facility as a result of the additional rate increase provided under clause (2) shall be used only for wage increases implemented on or after July 1, 2000, and shall not be used for wage increases implemented prior to that date.

(d) The payment rate adjustment for each nursing facility must be determined under clause (1) or (2):

(1) for each nursing facility that reports salaries for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, aides, orderlies, and attendants separately, the commissioner shall determine the payment rate adjustment using the categories specified in paragraph (a) multiplied by the rate increases specified in paragraph (b) or (c), and then dividing the resulting amount by the nursing facility's actual resident days. In determining the amount of a payment rate adjustment for a nursing facility reimbursed under section 256B.434, the commissioner shall determine the proportions of the facility's rates that are compensation-related costs and all other operating costs based on the facility's most recent cost report; and

(2) for each nursing facility that does not report salaries for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, aides, orderlies, and attendants separately, the payment rate adjustment shall be computed using the facility's total operating costs, separated into the categories specified in paragraph (a) in proportion to the weighted average of all facilities determined under clause (1), multiplied by the rate increases specified in paragraph (b) or (c), and then dividing the resulting amount by the nursing facility's actual resident days.

(e) A nursing facility may apply for the compensation-related payment rate adjustment calculated under this subdivision. The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the nursing facility will distribute the compensation-related portion of the payment rate adjustment to employees of the nursing facility. For nursing facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative constitutes the plan. For the second rate year, a negotiated agreement constitutes the plan only if the agreement is finalized after the date of enactment of all rate increases for the second rate year. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the payment rate adjustment per diem is used as provided in paragraphs (a) to (c). To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan for the compensation distribution by December 31 each year. A facility may amend its plan for the second rate year by submitting a revised plan by December 31, 2000. If a facility's plan for compensation distribution is effective for its employees after July 1 of the year that the funds are available, the payment rate adjustment per diem shall be effective the same date as its plan.

(f) A copy of the approved distribution plan must be made available to all employees. This must be done by giving each employee a copy or by posting it in an area of the nursing facility to which all employees have access. If an employee does not receive the compensation adjustment described in their facility's approved plan and is unable to resolve the problem with the facility's management or through the employee's union representative, the employee may contact the commissioner at an address or phone number provided by the commissioner and included in the approved plan.

(g) If the reimbursement system under section 256B.435 is not implemented until July 1, 2001, the salary adjustment per diem authorized in subdivision 2i, paragraph (c), shall continue until June 30, 2001.

(h) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1999, the following nursing facilities shall be allowed a rate increase equal to 67 percent of the rate increase that would be allowed if subdivision 26, paragraph (a), was not applied:

(1) a nursing facility in Carver county licensed for 33 nursing home beds and four boarding care beds;

(2) a nursing facility in Faribault county licensed for 159 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998; and

(3) a nursing facility in Houston county licensed for 68 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998.

(i) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1999, the following nursing facilities shall be allowed a rate increase equal to 67 percent of the rate increase that would be allowed if subdivision 26, paragraphs (a) and (b), were not applied:

(1) a nursing facility in Chisago county licensed for 135 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998; and

(2) a nursing facility in Murray county licensed for 62 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998.

(j) For the rate year beginning July 1, 1999, a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed for 134 beds on September 30, 1998, shall:

(1) have the prior year's allowable care-related per diem increased by $3.93 and the prior year's other operating cost per diem increased by $1.69 before adding the inflation in subdivision 26, paragraph (d), clause (2); and

(2) be allowed a rate increase equal to 67 percent of the rate increase that would be allowed if subdivision 26, paragraphs (a) and (b), were not applied.

The increases provided in paragraphs (h), (i), and (j) shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section.

(k) For the rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2000, a nursing home facility in Goodhue county that was licensed for 104 beds on February 1, 2000, shall have its employee pension benefit costs reported on its Rule 50 cost report treated as PERA contributions for the purpose of computing its payment rates.

Subd. 29. Facility rate increases effective July 1, 2000. Following the determination under subdivision 28 of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2000, for a facility in Roseau county licensed for 49 beds, the facility's operating cost per diem shall be increased by the following amounts:

(1) case mix class A, $1.97;

(2) case mix class B, $2.11;

(3) case mix class C, $2.26;

(4) case mix class D, $2.39;

(5) case mix class E, $2.54;

(6) case mix class F, $2.55;

(7) case mix class G, $2.66;

(8) case mix class H, $2.90;

(9) case mix class I, $2.97;

(10) case mix class J, $3.10; and

(11) case mix class K, $3.36.

These increases shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purpose of determining future rates under this section or any other section.

Subd. 30. Bed layaway and delicensure. (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2000, a nursing facility reimbursed under this section which has placed beds on layaway shall, for purposes of application of the downsizing incentive in subdivision 3a, paragraph (d), and calculation of the rental per diem, have those beds given the same effect as if the beds had been delicensed so long as the beds remain on layaway. At the time of a layaway, a facility may change its single bed election for use in calculating capacity days under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11. The property payment rate increase shall be effective the first day of the month following the month in which the layaway of the beds becomes effective under section 144A.071, subdivision 4b.

(b) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2000, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary under section 256B.434, a nursing facility reimbursed under that section which has placed beds on layaway shall, for so long as the beds remain on layaway, be allowed to:

(1) aggregate the applicable investment per bed limits based on the number of beds licensed immediately prior to entering the alternative payment system;

(2) retain or change the facility's single bed election for use in calculating capacity days under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11; and

(3) establish capacity days based on the number of beds immediately prior to the layaway and the number of beds after the layaway.

The commissioner shall increase the facility's property payment rate by the incremental increase in the rental per diem resulting from the recalculation of the facility's rental per diem applying only the changes resulting from the layaway of beds and clauses (1), (2), and (3). If a facility reimbursed under section 256B.434 completes a moratorium exception project after its base year, the base year property rate shall be the moratorium project property rate. The base year rate shall be inflated by the factors in section 256B.434, subdivision 4, paragraph (c). The property payment rate increase shall be effective the first day of the month following the month in which the layaway of the beds becomes effective.

(c) If a nursing facility removes a bed from layaway status in accordance with section 144A.071, subdivision 4b, the commissioner shall establish capacity days based on the number of licensed and certified beds in the facility not on layaway and shall reduce the nursing facility's property payment rate in accordance with paragraph (b).

(d) For the rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2000, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary under section 256B.434, a nursing facility reimbursed under that section, which has delicensed beds after July 1, 2000, by giving notice of the delicensure to the commissioner of health according to the notice requirements in section 144A.071, subdivision 4b, shall be allowed to:

(1) aggregate the applicable investment per bed limits based on the number of beds licensed immediately prior to entering the alternative payment system;

(2) retain or change the facility's single bed election for use in calculating capacity days under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, subpart 11; and

(3) establish capacity days based on the number of beds immediately prior to the delicensure and the number of beds after the delicensure.

The commissioner shall increase the facility's property payment rate by the incremental increase in the rental per diem resulting from the recalculation of the facility's rental per diem applying only the changes resulting from the delicensure of beds and clauses (1), (2), and (3). If a facility reimbursed under section 256B.434 completes a moratorium exception project after its base year, the base year property rate shall be the moratorium project property rate. The base year rate shall be inflated by the factors in section 256B.434, subdivision 4, paragraph (c). The property payment rate increase shall be effective the first day of the month following the month in which the delicensure of the beds becomes effective.

(e) For nursing facilities reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434, any beds placed on layaway shall not be included in calculating facility occupancy as it pertains to leave days defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0415.

(f) For nursing facilities reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434, the rental rate calculated after placing beds on layaway may not be less than the rental rate prior to placing beds on layaway.

(g) A nursing facility receiving a rate adjustment as a result of this section shall comply with section 256B.47, subdivision 2.

(h) A facility that does not utilize the space made available as a result of bed layaway or delicensure under this subdivision to reduce the number of beds per room or provide more common space for nursing facility uses or perform other activities related to the operation of the nursing facility shall have its property rate increase calculated under this subdivision reduced by the ratio of the square footage made available that is not used for these purposes to the total square footage made available as a result of bed layaway or delicensure.

Subd. 31. Nursing facility rate increases beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002. For the rate years beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002, the commissioner shall provide to each nursing facility reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434 an adjustment equal to 3.0 percent of the total operating payment rate. The operating payment rates in effect on June 30, 2001, shall include the adjustment in subdivision 2i, paragraph (c).

Subd. 32. Payment during first 90 days. (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2001, the total payment rate for a facility reimbursed under this section, section 256B.434, or any other section for the first 90 paid days after admission shall be:

(1) for the first 30 paid days, the rate shall be 120 percent of the facility's medical assistance rate for each case mix class; and

(2) for the next 60 paid days after the first 30 paid days, the rate shall be 110 percent of the facility's medical assistance rate for each case mix class.

(b) Beginning with the 91st paid day after admission, the payment rate shall be the rate otherwise determined under this section, section 256B.434, or any other section.

(c) This subdivision applies to admissions occurring on or after July 1, 2001.

Subd. 33. Staged reduction in rate disparities. (a) For the rate years beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002, the commissioner shall adjust the operating payment rates for low-rate nursing facilities reimbursed under this section or section 256B.434.

(b) For the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, for each case mix level, if the amount computed under subdivision 32 is less than the amount in clause (1), the commissioner shall make available the lesser of the amount in clause (1) or an increase of ten percent over the rate in effect on June 30, 2001, as an adjustment to the operating payment rate. For the rate year beginning July 1, 2002, for each case mix level, if the amount computed under subdivision 32 is less than the amount in clause (2), the commissioner shall make available the lesser of the amount in clause (2) or an increase of ten percent over the rate in effect on June 30, 2002, as an adjustment to the operating payment rate. For purposes of this subdivision, nursing facilities shall be considered to be metro if they are located in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties; or in the cities of Moorhead or Breckenridge; or in St. Louis county, north of Toivola and south of Cook; or in Itasca county, east of a north south line two miles west of Grand Rapids:

(1) Operating Payment Rate Target Level for July 1, 2001:

Case Mix Classification Metro Nonmetro

A $ 76.00 $ 68.13

B $ 83.40 $ 74.46

C $ 91.67 $ 81.63

D $ 99.51 $ 88.04

E $107.46 $ 94.87

F $107.96 $ 95.29

G $114.67 $100.98

H $126.99 $111.31

I $131.42 $115.06

J $138.34 $120.85

K $152.26 $133.10

(2) Operating Payment Rate Target Level for July 1, 2002:

Case Mix Classification Metro Nonmetro

A $ 78.28 $ 70.51

B $ 85.91 $ 77.16

C $ 94.42 $ 84.62

D $102.50 $ 91.42

E $110.68 $ 98.40

F $111.20 $ 98.84

G $118.11 $104.77

H $130.80 $115.64

I $135.38 $119.50

J $142.49 $125.38

K $156.85 $137.77

Subd. 34. Nursing facility rate increases beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002. (a) For the rate years beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002, two-thirds of the money resulting from the rate adjustment under subdivision 31 and one-half of the money resulting from the rate adjustment under subdivisions 32 and 33 must be used to increase the wages and benefits and pay associated costs of all employees except management fees, the administrator, and central office staff.

(b) Money received by a facility as a result of the rate adjustments provided in subdivisions 31 to 33, which must be used as provided in paragraph (a), must be used only for wage and benefit increases implemented on or after July 1, 2001, or July 1, 2002, respectively, and must not be used for wage increases implemented prior to those dates.

(c) Nursing facilities may apply for the portions of the rate adjustments under subdivisions 31 to 33, which must be used as provided in paragraph (a). The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the nursing facility will distribute to employees of the nursing facility the funds, which must be used as provided in paragraph (a). For nursing facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative constitutes the plan. A negotiated agreement may constitute the plan only if the agreement is finalized after the date of enactment of all increases for the rate year. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the rate adjustments are used as provided in paragraph (a). To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan for the wage and benefit distribution by December 31 each year. If a facility's plan for wage and benefit distribution is effective for its employees after July 1 of the year that the funds are available, the portion of the rate adjustments, which must be used as provided in paragraph (a), are effective the same date as its plan.

(d) A hospital-attached nursing facility may include costs in their distribution plan for wages and benefits and associated costs of employees in the organization's shared services departments, provided that:

(1) the nursing facility and the hospital share common ownership; and

(2) adjustments for hospital services using the diagnostic-related grouping payment rates per admission under Medicare are less than three percent during the 12 months prior to the effective date of these rate adjustments.

If a hospital-attached facility meets the qualifications in this paragraph, the difference between the rate adjustments approved for nursing facility services and the rate increase approved for hospital services may be permitted as a distribution in the hospital-attached facility's plan regardless of whether the use of those funds is shown as being attributable to employee hours worked in the nursing facility or employee hours worked in the hospital.

For the purposes of this paragraph, a hospital-attached nursing facility is one that meets the definition under subdivision 2j, or, in the case of a facility reimbursed under section 256B.434, met this definition at the time their last payment rate was established under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080, and this section.

(e) A copy of the approved distribution plan must be made available to all employees by giving each employee a copy or by posting it in an area of the nursing facility to which all employees have access. If an employee does not receive the wage and benefit adjustment described in the facility's approved plan and is unable to resolve the problem with the facility's management or through the employee's union representative, the employee may contact the commissioner at an address or telephone number provided by the commissioner and included in the approved plan.

(f) Notwithstanding section 256B.48, subdivision 1, clause (a), upon the request of a nursing facility, the commissioner may authorize the facility to raise per diem rates for private-pay residents on July 1 by the amount anticipated to be required upon implementation of the rate adjustments allowable under subdivisions 31 to 33. The commissioner shall require any amounts collected under this paragraph, which must be used as provided in paragraph (a), to be placed in an escrow account established for this purpose with a financial institution that provides deposit insurance until the medical assistance rate is finalized. The commissioner shall conduct audits as necessary to ensure that:

(1) the amounts collected are retained in escrow until medical assistance rates are increased to reflect the wage-related adjustment; and

(2) any amounts collected from private-pay residents in excess of the final medical assistance rate are repaid to the private-pay residents with interest at the rate used by the commissioner of revenue for the late payment of taxes and in effect on the date the distribution plan is approved by the commissioner of human services.

Subd. 35. Exclusion of raw food cost adjustment. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2001, in calculating a nursing facility's operating cost per diem for the purposes of constructing an array, determining a median, or otherwise performing a statistical measure of nursing facility payment rates to be used to determine future rate increases under this section, section 256B.434, or any other section, the commissioner shall exclude adjustments for raw food costs under subdivision 2b, paragraph (h), that are related to providing special diets based on religious beliefs.

Subd. 36. Employee scholarship costs and training in English as a second language. (a) For the period between July 1, 2001, and June 30, 2003, the commissioner shall provide to each nursing facility reimbursed under this section, section 256B.434, or any other section, a scholarship per diem of 25 cents to the total operating payment rate to be used:

(1) for employee scholarships that satisfy the following requirements:

(i) scholarships are available to all employees who work an average of at least 20 hours per week at the facility except the administrator, department supervisors, and registered nurses; and

(ii) the course of study is expected to lead to career advancement with the facility or in long-term care, including medical care interpreter services and social work; and

(2) to provide job-related training in English as a second language.

(b) A facility receiving a rate adjustment under this subdivision may submit to the commissioner on a schedule determined by the commissioner and on a form supplied by the commissioner a calculation of the scholarship per diem, including: the amount received from this rate adjustment; the amount used for training in English as a second language; the number of persons receiving the training; the name of the person or entity providing the training; and for each scholarship recipient, the name of the recipient, the amount awarded, the educational institution attended, the nature of the educational program, the program completion date, and a determination of the per diem amount of these costs based on actual resident days.

(c) On July 1, 2003, the commissioner shall remove the 25 cent scholarship per diem from the total operating payment rate of each facility.

(d) For rate years beginning after June 30, 2003, the commissioner shall provide to each facility the scholarship per diem determined in paragraph (b).

HIST: 1983 c 199 s 12; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 641 s 17-20,22; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 40,41; 1985 c 248 s 40,69; 1985 c 267 s 3; 1Sp1985 c 3 s 25,27-29,31; 1986 c 316 s 2; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 89; art 4 s 6-11; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 154-161; 1988 c 719 art 19 s 9; 1989 c 12 s 1,2; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 66-78; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 65-72; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 54-60; art 6 s 49,50; art 7 s 25; 1992 c 464 art 1 s 29; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 88-103,136; 1992 c 603 s 19; 1993 c 339 s 20; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 90-99; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 85,86; art 7 s 23-26; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 48; 1996 c 451 art 3 s 3; 1997 c 2 s 10; 1997 c 107 s 8; 1997 c 187 art 3 s 29; 1997 c 203 art 3 s 7,8; art 4 s 46; 1998 c 407 art 3 s 4-11; art 4 s 42; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 17-20; 2000 c 271 s 1; 2000 c 294 s 2; 2000 c 449 s 3-12; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 18-21; 2000 c 499 s 23; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 15-21; art 6 s 6

256B.432 Long-term care facilities; central, affiliated, or corporate office costs.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(a) "Management agreement" means an agreement in which one or more of the following criteria exist:

(1) the central, affiliated, or corporate office has or is authorized to assume day-to-day operational control of the nursing facility for any six-month period within a 24-month period. "Day-to-day operational control" means that the central, affiliated, or corporate office has the authority to require, mandate, direct, or compel the employees of the nursing facility to perform or refrain from performing certain acts, or to supplant or take the place of the top management of the nursing facility. "Day-to-day operational control" includes the authority to hire or terminate employees or to provide an employee of the central, affiliated, or corporate office to serve as administrator of the nursing facility;

(2) the central, affiliated, or corporate office performs or is authorized to perform two or more of the following: the execution of contracts; authorization of purchase orders; signature authority for checks, notes, or other financial instruments; requiring the nursing facility to use the group or volume purchasing services of the central, affiliated, or corporate office; or the authority to make annual capital expenditures for the nursing facility exceeding $50,000, or $500 per licensed bed, whichever is less, without first securing the approval of the nursing facility board of directors;

(3) the central, affiliated, or corporate office becomes or is required to become the licensee under applicable state law;

(4) the agreement provides that the compensation for services provided under the agreement is directly related to any profits made by the nursing facility; or

(5) the nursing facility entering into the agreement is governed by a governing body that meets fewer than four times a year, that does not publish notice of its meetings, or that does not keep formal records of its proceedings.

(b) "Consulting agreement" means any agreement the purpose of which is for a central, affiliated, or corporate office to advise, counsel, recommend, or suggest to the owner or operator of the nonrelated nursing facility measures and methods for improving the operations of the nursing facility.

(c) "Nursing facility" means a nursing facility whose medical assistance rates are determined according to section 256B.431.

Subd. 2. Effective date. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1990, the central, affiliated, or corporate office cost allocations in subdivisions 3 to 6 must be used when determining medical assistance rates under section 256B.431.

Subd. 3. Allocation; direct identification of costs of nursing facilities; management agreement. All costs that can be directly identified with a specific nursing facility that is a related organization to the central, affiliated, or corporate office, or that is controlled by the central, affiliated, or corporate office under a management agreement, must be allocated to that nursing facility.

Subd. 4. Allocation; direct identification of costs to other activities. All costs that can be directly identified with any other activity or function not described in subdivision 3 must be allocated to that activity or function.

Subd. 5. Allocation of remaining costs; allocation ratio. (a) After the costs that can be directly identified according to subdivisions 3 and 4 have been allocated, the remaining central, affiliated, or corporate office costs must be allocated between the nursing facility operations and the other activities or facilities unrelated to the nursing facility operations based on the ratio of total operating costs.

(b) For purposes of allocating these remaining central, affiliated, or corporate office costs, the numerator for the allocation ratio shall be determined as follows:

(1) for nursing facilities that are related organizations or are controlled by a central, affiliated, or corporate office under a management agreement, the numerator of the allocation ratio shall be equal to the sum of the total operating costs incurred by each related organization or controlled nursing facility;

(2) for a central, affiliated, or corporate office providing goods or services to related organizations that are not nursing facilities, the numerator of the allocation ratio shall be equal to the sum of the total operating costs incurred by the nonnursing facility related organizations;

(3) for a central, affiliated, or corporate office providing goods or services to unrelated nursing facilities under a consulting agreement, the numerator of the allocation ratio shall be equal to the greater of directly identified central, affiliated, or corporate costs or the contracted amount; or

(4) for business activities that involve the providing of goods or services to unrelated parties which are not nursing facilities, the numerator of the allocation ratio shall be equal to the greater of directly identified costs or revenues generated by the activity or function.

(c) The denominator for the allocation ratio is the sum of the numerators in paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (4).

Subd. 6. Cost allocation between nursing facilities. (a) Those nursing operations that have nursing facilities both in Minnesota and comparable facilities outside of Minnesota must allocate the nursing operation's central, affiliated, or corporate office costs identified in subdivision 5 to Minnesota based on the ratio of total resident days in Minnesota nursing facilities to the total resident days in all facilities.

(b) The Minnesota nursing operation's central, affiliated, or corporate office costs identified in paragraph (a) must be allocated to each Minnesota nursing facility on the basis of resident days.

Subd. 7. Receiverships. This section does not apply to payment rates determined under sections 245A.12, 245A.13, and 256B.495, except that any additional directly identified costs associated with the department of human services' or the department of health's managing agent under a receivership agreement must be allocated to the facility under receivership, and are nonallowable costs to the managing agent on the facility's cost reports.

Subd. 8. Adequate documentation supporting long-term care facility payrolls. Beginning July 1, 1998, payroll records supporting compensation costs claimed by long-term care facilities must be supported by affirmative time and attendance records prepared by each individual at intervals of not more than one month. The requirements of this subdivision are met when documentation is provided under either clause (1) or (2) as follows:

(1) the affirmative time and attendance record must identify the individual's name; the days worked during each pay period; the number of hours worked each day; and the number of hours taken each day by the individual for vacation, sick, and other leave. The affirmative time and attendance record must include a signed verification by the individual and the individual's supervisor, if any, that the entries reported on the record are correct; or

(2) if the affirmative time and attendance records identifying the individual's name, the days worked each pay period, the number of hours worked each day, and the number of hours taken each day by the individual for vacation, sick, and other leave are placed on microfilm, equipment must be made available for viewing and printing them, or if the records are stored as automated data, summary data must be available for viewing and printing.

HIST: 1990 c 568 art 3 s 73; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 104,136; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 100,101; 1995 c 207 art 7 s 27-31; 1996 c 451 art 5 s 27; 1998 c 274 s 1

256B.433 Ancillary services.

Subdivision 1. Setting payment; monitoring use of therapy services. The commissioner shall promulgate rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act to set the amount and method of payment for ancillary materials and services provided to recipients residing in nursing facilities. Payment for materials and services may be made to either the nursing facility in the operating cost per diem, to the vendor of ancillary services pursuant to Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475 or to a nursing facility pursuant to Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475. Payment for the same or similar service to a recipient shall not be made to both the nursing facility and the vendor. The commissioner shall ensure the avoidance of double payments through audits and adjustments to the nursing facility's annual cost report as required by section 256B.47, and that charges and arrangements for ancillary materials and services are cost-effective and as would be incurred by a prudent and cost-conscious buyer. Therapy services provided to a recipient must be medically necessary and appropriate to the medical condition of the recipient. If the vendor, nursing facility, or ordering physician cannot provide adequate medical necessity justification, as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner may recover or disallow the payment for the services and may require prior authorization for therapy services as a condition of payment or may impose administrative sanctions to limit the vendor, nursing facility, or ordering physician's participation in the medical assistance program. If the provider number of a nursing facility is used to bill services provided by a vendor of therapy services that is not related to the nursing facility by ownership, control, affiliation, or employment status, no withholding of payment shall be imposed against the nursing facility for services not medically necessary except for funds due the unrelated vendor of therapy services as provided in subdivision 3, paragraph (c). For the purpose of this subdivision, no monetary recovery may be imposed against the nursing facility for funds paid to the unrelated vendor of therapy services as provided in subdivision 3, paragraph (c), for services not medically necessary. For purposes of this section and section 256B.47, therapy includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology, and mental health services that are covered services according to Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475, and that could be reimbursed separately from the nursing facility per diem.

Subd. 2. Certification that treatment is appropriate. The physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, mental health professional, or audiologist who provides or supervises the provision of therapy services, other than an initial evaluation, to a medical assistance recipient must certify in writing that the therapy's nature, scope, duration, and intensity are appropriate to the medical condition of the recipient every 30 days. The therapist's statement of certification must be maintained in the recipient's medical record together with the specific orders by the physician and the treatment plan. If the recipient's medical record does not include these documents, the commissioner may recover or disallow the payment for such services. If the therapist determines that the therapy's nature, scope, duration, or intensity is not appropriate to the medical condition of the recipient, the therapist must provide a statement to that effect in writing to the nursing facility for inclusion in the recipient's medical record. The commissioner shall utilize a peer review program that meets the requirements of section 256B.064, subdivision 1a, to make recommendations regarding the medical necessity of services provided.

Subd. 3. Separate billings for therapy services. Until new procedures are developed under subdivision 4, payment for therapy services provided to nursing facility residents that are billed separate from nursing facility's payment rate or according to Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475, shall be subject to the following requirements:

(a) The practitioner invoice must include, in a format specified by the commissioner, the provider number of the nursing facility where the medical assistance recipient resides regardless of the service setting.

(b) Nursing facilities that are related by ownership, control, affiliation, or employment status to the vendor of therapy services shall report, in a format specified by the commissioner, the revenues received during the reporting year for therapy services provided to residents of the nursing facility. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1988, the commissioner shall offset the revenues received during the reporting year for therapy services provided to residents of the nursing facility to the total payment rate of the nursing facility by dividing the amount of offset by the nursing facility's actual resident days. Except as specified in paragraphs (d) and (f), the amount of offset shall be the revenue in excess of 108 percent of the cost removed from the cost report resulting from the requirement of the commissioner to ensure the avoidance of double payments as determined by section 256B.47. Therapy revenues that are specific to mental health services shall be subject to this paragraph for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993. In establishing a new base period for the purpose of setting operating cost payment rate limits and rates, the commissioner shall not include the revenues offset in accordance with this section.

(c) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1987, nursing facilities shall limit charges in total to vendors of therapy services for renting space, equipment, or obtaining other services during the rate year to 108 percent of the annualized cost removed from the reporting year cost report resulting from the requirement of the commissioner to ensure the avoidance of double payments as determined by section 256B.47. If the arrangement for therapy services is changed so that a nursing facility is subject to this paragraph instead of paragraph (b), the cost that is used to determine rent must be adjusted to exclude the annualized costs for therapy services that are not provided in the rate year. The maximum charges to the vendors shall be based on the commissioner's determination of annualized cost and may be subsequently adjusted upon resolution of appeals. Mental health services shall be subject to this paragraph for rate years beginning after June 30, 1993.

(d) The commissioner shall require reporting of all revenues relating to the provision of therapy services and shall establish a therapy cost, as determined by section 256B.47, to revenue ratio for the reporting year ending in 1986. For subsequent reporting years, the ratio may increase five percentage points in total until a new base year is established under paragraph (e). Increases in excess of five percentage points may be allowed if adequate justification is provided to and accepted by the commissioner. Unless an exception is allowed by the commissioner, the amount of offset in paragraph (b) is the greater of the amount determined in paragraph (b) or the amount of offset that is imputed based on one minus the lesser of (1) the actual reporting year ratio or (2) the base reporting year ratio increased by five percentage points, multiplied by the revenues.

(e) The commissioner may establish a new reporting year base for determining the cost to revenue ratio.

(f) If the arrangement for therapy services is changed so that a nursing facility is subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) instead of paragraph (c), an average cost to revenue ratio based on the ratios of nursing facilities that are subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) shall be imputed for paragraph (d).

(g) This section does not allow unrelated nursing facilities to reorganize related organization therapy services and provide services among themselves to avoid offsetting revenues. Nursing facilities that are found to be in violation of this provision shall be subject to the penalty requirements of section 256B.48, subdivision 1, paragraph (f).

Subd. 3a. Exemption from requirement for separate therapy billing. The provisions of subdivision 3 do not apply to nursing facilities that are reimbursed according to the provisions of section 256B.431. Nursing facilities that are reimbursed according to the provisions of section 256B.434 and are located in a county participating in the prepaid medical assistance program are exempt from the maximum therapy rent revenue provisions of subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

Subd. 4. Repealed, 1993 c 337 s 20

HIST: 1983 c 199 s 18; 1985 c 248 s 69; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 90; 1988 c 629 s 54,55; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 162; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 105-107,136; 1993 c 337 s 17; 1997 c 203 art 3 s 9; 1998 c 407 art 3 s 12; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 22

256B.434 Contractual alternative payment demonstration project for nursing homes.

Subdivision 1. Alternative payment demonstration project established. The commissioner of human services shall establish a contractual alternative payment demonstration project for paying for nursing facility services under the medical assistance program. A nursing facility may apply to be paid under the contractual alternative payment demonstration project instead of the cost-based payment system established under section 256B.431. A nursing facility electing to use the alternative payment demonstration project must enter into a contract with the commissioner. Payment rates and procedures for facilities electing to use the alternative payment demonstration project are determined and governed by this section and by the terms of the contract. The commissioner may negotiate different contract terms for different nursing facilities.

Subd. 2. Requests for proposals. (a) At least twice annually the commissioner shall publish in the State Register a request for proposals to provide nursing facility services according to this section. The commissioner must respond to all proposals in a timely manner.

(b) The commissioner may reject any proposal if, in the judgment of the commissioner, a contract with a particular facility is not in the best interests of the residents of the facility or the state of Minnesota. The commissioner may accept up to the number of proposals that can be adequately supported with available state resources, as determined by the commissioner. The commissioner may accept proposals from a single nursing facility or from a group of facilities through a managing entity. The commissioner shall seek to ensure that nursing facilities under contract are located in all geographic areas of the state.

(c) In issuing the request for proposals, the commissioner may develop reasonable requirements which, in the judgment of the commissioner, are necessary to protect residents or ensure that the contractual alternative payment demonstration project furthers the interest of the state of Minnesota. The request for proposals may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) a requirement that a nursing facility make reasonable efforts to maximize Medicare payments on behalf of eligible residents;

(2) requirements designed to prevent inappropriate or illegal discrimination against residents enrolled in the medical assistance program as compared to private paying residents;

(3) requirements designed to ensure that admissions to a nursing facility are appropriate and that reasonable efforts are made to place residents in home and community-based settings when appropriate;

(4) a requirement to agree to participate in a project to develop data collection systems and outcome-based standards. Among other requirements specified by the commissioner, each facility entering into a contract may be required to pay an annual fee. Revenue generated from the fees is appropriated to the commissioner and must be used to contract with a qualified consultant or contractor to develop data collection systems and outcome-based contracting standards;

(5) a requirement that contractors agree to maintain Medicare cost reports and to submit them to the commissioner upon request or at times specified by the commissioner;

(6) a requirement for demonstrated willingness and ability to develop and maintain data collection and retrieval systems to be used in measuring outcomes; and

(7) a requirement to provide all information and assurances required by the terms and conditions of the federal waiver or federal approval.

(d) In addition to the information and assurances contained in the submitted proposals, the commissioner may consider the following in determining whether to accept or deny a proposal:

(1) the facility's history of compliance with federal and state laws and rules, except that a facility deemed to be in substantial compliance with federal and state laws and rules is eligible to respond to a request for proposal. A facility's compliance history shall not be the sole determining factor in situations where the facility has been sold and the new owners have submitted a proposal;

(2) whether the facility has a record of excessive licensure fines or sanctions or fraudulent cost reports;

(3) financial history and solvency; and

(4) other factors identified by the commissioner that the commissioner deems relevant to a determination that a contract with a particular facility is not in the best interests of the residents of the facility or the state of Minnesota.

(e) If the commissioner rejects the proposal of a nursing facility, the commissioner shall provide written notice to the facility of the reason for the rejection, including the factors and evidence upon which the rejection was based.

Subd. 3. Duration and termination of contracts. (a) Subject to available resources, the commissioner may begin to execute contracts with nursing facilities November 1, 1995.

(b) All contracts entered into under this section are for a term of one year. Either party may terminate a contract at any time without cause by providing 90 calendar days advance written notice to the other party. The decision to terminate a contract is not appealable. Notwithstanding section 16C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (5), the contract shall be renegotiated for additional one-year terms, unless either party provides written notice of termination. The provisions of the contract shall be renegotiated annually by the parties prior to the expiration date of the contract. The parties may voluntarily renegotiate the terms of the contract at any time by mutual agreement.

(c) If a nursing facility fails to comply with the terms of a contract, the commissioner shall provide reasonable notice regarding the breach of contract and a reasonable opportunity for the facility to come into compliance. If the facility fails to come into compliance or to remain in compliance, the commissioner may terminate the contract. If a contract is terminated, the contract payment remains in effect for the remainder of the rate year in which the contract was terminated, but in all other respects the provisions of this section do not apply to that facility effective the date the contract is terminated. The contract shall contain a provision governing the transition back to the cost-based reimbursement system established under section 256B.431 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080. A contract entered into under this section may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties.

Subd. 4. Alternate rates for nursing facilities. (a) For nursing facilities which have their payment rates determined under this section rather than section 256B.431, the commissioner shall establish a rate under this subdivision. The nursing facility must enter into a written contract with the commissioner.

(b) A nursing facility's case mix payment rate for the first rate year of a facility's contract under this section is the payment rate the facility would have received under section 256B.431.

(c) A nursing facility's case mix payment rates for the second and subsequent years of a facility's contract under this section are the previous rate year's contract payment rates plus an inflation adjustment and, for facilities reimbursed under this section or section 256B.431, an adjustment to include the cost of any increase in health department licensing fees for the facility taking effect on or after July 1, 2001. The index for the inflation adjustment must be based on the change in the Consumer Price Index-All Items (United States City average) (CPI-U) forecasted by Data Resources, Inc., as forecasted in the fourth quarter of the calendar year preceding the rate year. The inflation adjustment must be based on the 12-month period from the midpoint of the previous rate year to the midpoint of the rate year for which the rate is being determined. For the rate years beginning on July 1, 1999, July 1, 2000, July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002, this paragraph shall apply only to the property-related payment rate, except that adjustments to include the cost of any increase in health department licensing fees taking effect on or after July 1, 2001, shall be provided. In determining the amount of the property-related payment rate adjustment under this paragraph, the commissioner shall determine the proportion of the facility's rates that are property-related based on the facility's most recent cost report.

(d) The commissioner shall develop additional incentive-based payments of up to five percent above the standard contract rate for achieving outcomes specified in each contract. The specified facility-specific outcomes must be measurable and approved by the commissioner. The commissioner may establish, for each contract, various levels of achievement within an outcome. After the outcomes have been specified the commissioner shall assign various levels of payment associated with achieving the outcome. Any incentive-based payment cancels if there is a termination of the contract. In establishing the specified outcomes and related criteria the commissioner shall consider the following state policy objectives:

(1) improved cost effectiveness and quality of life as measured by improved clinical outcomes;

(2) successful diversion or discharge to community alternatives;

(3) decreased acute care costs;

(4) improved consumer satisfaction;

(5) the achievement of quality; or

(6) any additional outcomes proposed by a nursing facility that the commissioner finds desirable.

Subd. 4a. Facility rate increases. For the rate year beginning July 1, 1999, the nursing facilities described in clauses (1) to (5) shall receive the rate increases indicated. The increases provided under this subdivision shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purpose of determining future rates under this section or any other section:

(1) a nursing facility in Becker county licensed for 102 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998, shall receive an increase of $1.30 in its case mix class A payment rate; an increase of $1.33 in its case mix class B payment rate; an increase of $1.36 in its case mix class C payment rate; an increase of $1.39 in its case mix class D payment rate; an increase of $1.42 in its case mix class E payment rate; an increase of $1.42 in its case mix class F payment rate; an increase of $1.45 in its case mix class G payment rate; an increase of $1.49 in its case mix class H payment rate; an increase of $1.51 in its case mix class I payment rate; an increase of $1.54 in its case mix class J payment rate; and an increase of $1.59 in its case mix class K payment rate;

(2) a nursing facility in Chisago county licensed for 101 nursing home beds on September 30, 1998, shall receive an increase of $3.67 in each case mix payment rate;

(3) a nursing facility in Canby, licensed for 75 beds shall have its property-related per diem rate increased by $1.21. This increase shall be recognized in the facility's contract payment rate under this section;

(4) a nursing facility in Golden Valley with all its beds licensed to provide residential rehabilitative services to young adults under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 9570.3400, shall have the payment rate computed according to this section increased by $14.83; and

(5) a county-owned 130-bed nursing facility in Park Rapids shall have its per diem contract payment rate increased by $1.02 for costs related to compliance with comparable worth requirements.

Subd. 4b. Facility rate increases effective July 1, 2000. For the rate year beginning July 1, 2000, the nursing facilities described in clauses (1) to (6) shall receive the rate increases indicated. The increases under this subdivision shall be added following the determination under section 256B.431, subdivision 28, of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2000, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section:

(1) a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed for 290 beds shall receive an operating cost per diem increase of 5.9 percent, provided that the facility delicenses, decertifies, or places on layaway status, if that status is otherwise permitted by law, 70 beds;

(2) a nursing facility in Goodhue county licensed for 84 beds shall receive an increase of $1.54 in each case mix payment rate;

(3) a nursing facility located in Rochester and licensed for 103 beds on January 1, 2000, shall receive an increase in its case mix resident class A payment of $3.78, and an increase in the payment rate for all other case mix classes of that amount multiplied by the class weight for that case mix class established in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0058, subpart 3;

(4) a nursing facility in Wright county licensed for 154 beds shall receive an increase of $2.03 in each case mix payment rate to be used for employee wage and benefit enhancements;

(5) a facility in Todd county licensed for 78 beds, shall have its operating cost per diem increased by the following amounts:

(i) case mix class A, $1.16;

(ii) case mix class B, $1.50;

(iii) case mix class C, $1.89;

(iv) case mix class D, $2.26;

(v) case mix class E, $2.63;

(vi) case mix class F, $2.65;

(vii) case mix class G, $2.96;

(viii) case mix class H, $3.55;

(ix) case mix class I, $3.76;

(x) case mix class J, $4.08; and

(xi) case mix class K, $4.76; and

(6) a nursing facility in Pine City that decertified 22 beds in calendar year 1999 shall have its property-related per diem payment rate increased by $1.59.

Subd. 4c. Facility rate increases effective January 1, 2002. For the rate period beginning January 1, 2002, and for the rate year beginning July 1, 2002, a nursing facility in Morrison county licensed for 83 beds as of March 1, 2001, shall receive an increase of $2.54 in each case mix payment rate to offset property tax payments due as a result of the facility's conversion from nonprofit to for-profit status. The increase under this subdivision shall be added following the determination under this chapter of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section.

Subd. 4d. Facility rate increases effective July 1, 2001. For the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, a nursing facility in Hennepin county licensed for 302 beds shall receive an increase of 29 cents in each case mix payment rate to correct an error in the cost-reporting system that occurred prior to the date that the facility entered the alternative payment demonstration project. The increase under this subdivision shall be added following the determination under this chapter of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rates for the purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section.

Subd. 4e. Rate increase effective July 1, 2001. A nursing facility in Anoka county licensed for 98 beds as of July 1, 2000, shall receive a total increase of $10 in each case mix rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, as a result of increases provided under this subdivision and section 256B.431, subdivision 33. The increases under this subdivision shall be added prior to the determination under section 256B.431, subdivision 33, of the payment rate for the rate year beginning July 1, 2001, and shall be included in the facility's total payment rate for purposes of determining future rates under this section or any other section through June 30, 2004.

Subd. 5. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 41

Subd. 6. Contract payment rates; appeals. If an appeal is pending concerning the cost-based payment rates that are the basis for the calculation of the payment rate under the alternative payment demonstration project, the commissioner and the nursing facility may agree on an interim contract rate to be used until the appeal is resolved. When the appeal is resolved, the contract rate must be adjusted retroactively in accordance with the appeal decision.

Subd. 7. Case mix assessments. The commissioner may allow a contract facility to develop and implement a case mix assessment using the federal minimum data set resident assessment.

Subd. 8. Optional higher payments for first 100 days. The commissioner may include in the contract with a nursing facility under this section a higher rate for the first 100 days after admission than for subsequent days. The rate for the subsequent days must be reduced so that the estimated total cost to the medical assistance program will not exceed the estimated cost without the differential payment rates.

Subd. 9. Managed care contracts for other services. Beginning July 1, 1995, the commissioner may contract with nursing facilities that have entered into alternative payment demonstration project contracts under this section to provide medical assistance services other than nursing facility care to residents of the facility under a prepaid, managed care payment system. Managed care contracts for other services may be entered into at any time during the duration of a nursing facility's alternative payment demonstration project contract, and the terms of the managed care contracts need not coincide with the terms of the alternative payment demonstration project contract.

Subd. 10. Exemptions. (a) To the extent permitted by federal law, (1) a facility that has entered into a contract under this section is not required to file a cost report, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0020, subpart 13, for any year after the base year that is the basis for the calculation of the contract payment rate for the first rate year of the alternative payment demonstration project contract; and (2) a facility under contract is not subject to audits of historical costs or revenues, or paybacks or retroactive adjustments based on these costs or revenues, except audits, paybacks, or adjustments relating to the cost report that is the basis for calculation of the first rate year under the contract.

(b) A facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section is not subject to the moratorium on licensure or certification of new nursing home beds in section 144A.071, unless the project results in a net increase in bed capacity or involves relocation of beds from one site to another. Contract payment rates must not be adjusted to reflect any additional costs that a nursing facility incurs as a result of a construction project undertaken under this paragraph. In addition, as a condition of entering into a contract under this section, a nursing facility must agree that any future medical assistance payments for nursing facility services will not reflect any additional costs attributable to the sale of a nursing facility under this section and to construction undertaken under this paragraph that otherwise would not be authorized under the moratorium in section 144A.073. Nothing in this section prevents a nursing facility participating in the alternative payment demonstration project under this section from seeking approval of an exception to the moratorium through the process established in section 144A.073, and if approved the facility's rates shall be adjusted to reflect the cost of the project. Nothing in this section prevents a nursing facility participating in the alternative payment demonstration project from seeking legislative approval of an exception to the moratorium under section 144A.071, and, if enacted, the facility's rates shall be adjusted to reflect the cost of the project.

(c) Notwithstanding section 256B.48, subdivision 6, paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), and pursuant to any terms and conditions contained in the facility's contract, a nursing facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section is in compliance with section 256B.48, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), if the facility is Medicare certified.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if by April 1, 1996, the health care financing administration has not approved a required waiver, or the health care financing administration otherwise requires cost reports to be filed prior to the waiver's approval, the commissioner shall require a cost report for the rate year.

(e) A facility that is under contract with the commissioner under this section shall be allowed to change therapy arrangements from an unrelated vendor to a related vendor during the term of the contract. The commissioner may develop reasonable requirements designed to prevent an increase in therapy utilization for residents enrolled in the medical assistance program.

Subd. 11. Consumer protection. As a condition of entering into a contract under this section, a nursing facility must agree to establish resident grievance procedures that are similar to those required under section 256.045, subdivision 3. The commissioner may also require nursing facilities to establish expedited grievance procedures to resolve complaints made by short-stay residents. The facility must notify its resident council of its intent to enter into a contract and must consult with the council regarding any changes in operation expected as a result of the contract.

Subd. 12. Contracts are voluntary. Participation of nursing facilities in the alternative payment demonstration project is voluntary. The terms and procedures governing the alternative payment demonstration project are determined under this section and through negotiations between the commissioner and nursing facilities that have submitted a letter of intent to participate in the alternative demonstration project. For purposes of developing requests for proposals and contract requirements, and negotiating the terms, conditions, and requirements of contracts the commissioner is exempt from the rulemaking requirements in chapter 14 until December 31, 2000.

Subd. 13. Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58

Subd. 14. Federal requirements. The commissioner shall implement the contractual alternative payment demonstration project subject to any required federal waivers or approval and in a manner that is consistent with federal requirements. If a provision of this section is inconsistent with a federal requirement the federal requirement supersedes the inconsistent provision. The commissioner shall seek federal approval and request waivers as necessary to implement this section.

Subd. 15. External review panel. The commissioner may establish an external review panel consisting of persons appointed by the commissioner for their expertise on issues relating to nursing facility services, quality, payment systems, and other matters, to advise the commissioner on the development and implementation of the contractual alternative payment demonstration project and to assist the commissioner in assessing the quality of care provided and evaluating a facility's compliance with performance standards specified in a contract. The external review panel must include, among other members, representatives of nursing facilities.

Subd. 16. Alternative contracts. The commissioner may also contract with nursing facilities in other ways through requests for proposals, including contracts on a risk or nonrisk basis, with nursing facilities or consortia of nursing facilities, to provide comprehensive long-term care coverage on a premium or capitated basis.

Subd. 17. Repealed, 1999 c 245 art 3 s 51

HIST: 1995 c 207 art 7 s 32; 1996 c 451 art 5 s 28; 1997 c 187 art 4 s 8; 1997 c 203 art 3 s 10-12; art 9 s 11,12; 1998 c 407 art 3 s 13; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 21-24; 2000 c 449 s 13,14; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 22; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 23-26

256B.435 Nursing facility reimbursement system effective July 1, 2001.

Subdivision 1. In general. Effective July 1, 2001, the commissioner shall implement a performance-based contracting system to replace the current method of setting operating cost payment rates under sections 256B.431 and 256B.434 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0080. Operating cost payment rates for newly established facilities under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0057, shall be established using section 256B.431 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0010 to 9549.0070. A nursing facility in operation on May 1, 1998, with payment rates not established under section 256B.431 or 256B.434 on that date, is ineligible for this performance-based contracting system. In determining prospective payment rates of nursing facility services, the commissioner shall distinguish between operating costs and property-related costs. The commissioner of finance shall include an annual inflationary adjustment in operating costs for nursing facilities using the inflation factor specified in subdivision 3 and funding for incentive-based payments as a budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11. Property related payment rates, including real estate taxes and special assessments, shall be determined under section 256B.431 or 256B.434 or under a new property-related reimbursement system, if one is implemented by the commissioner under subdivision 3. The commissioner shall present additional recommendations for performance-based contracting for nursing facilities to the legislature by February 15, 2000, in the following specific areas:

(1) development of an interim default payment mechanism for nursing facilities that do not respond to the state's request for proposal but wish to continue participation in the medical assistance program, and nursing facilities the state does not select in the request for proposal process, and nursing facilities whose contract has been canceled;

(2) development of criteria for facilities to earn performance-based incentive payments based on relevant outcomes negotiated by nursing facilities and the commissioner and that recognize both continuous quality efforts and quality improvement;

(3) development of criteria and a process under which nursing facilities can request rate adjustments for low base rates, geographic disparities, or other reasons;

(4) development of a dispute resolution mechanism for nursing facilities that are denied a contract, denied incentive payments, or denied a rate adjustment;

(5) development of a property payment system to address the capital needs of nursing facilities that will be funded with additional appropriations;

(6) establishment of a transitional plan to move from dual assessment instruments to the federally mandated resident assessment system, whereby the financial impact for each facility would be budget neutral;

(7) identification of net cost implications for facilities and to the department of preparing for and implementing performance-based contracting or any proposed alternative system;

(8) identification of facility financial and statistical reporting requirements; and

(9) identification of exemptions from current regulations and statutes applicable under performance-based contracting.

Subd. 1a. Requests for proposals. (a) For nursing facilities with rates established under section 256B.434 on January 1, 2001, the commissioner shall renegotiate contracts without requiring a response to a request for proposal, notwithstanding the solicitation process described in chapter 16C.

(b) Prior to July 1, 2001, the commissioner shall publish in the State Register a request for proposals to provide nursing facility services according to this section. The commissioner will consider proposals from all nursing facilities that have payment rates established under section 256B.431. The commissioner must respond to all proposals in a timely manner.

(c) In issuing a request for proposals, the commissioner may develop reasonable requirements which, in the judgment of the commissioner, are necessary to protect residents or ensure that the performance-based contracting system furthers the interests of the state of Minnesota. The request for proposals may include, but need not be limited to:

(1) a requirement that a nursing facility make reasonable efforts to maximize Medicare payments on behalf of eligible residents;

(2) requirements designed to prevent inappropriate or illegal discrimination against residents enrolled in the medical assistance program as compared to private paying residents;

(3) requirements designed to ensure that admissions to a nursing facility are appropriate and that reasonable efforts are made to place residents in home and community-based settings when appropriate;

(4) a requirement to agree to participate in the development of data collection systems and outcome-based standards. Among other requirements specified by the commissioner, each facility entering into a contract may be required to pay an annual fee not to exceed $1,000. The commissioner must use revenue generated from the fees to contract with a qualified consultant or contractor to develop data collection systems and outcome-based contracting standards;

(5) a requirement that Medicare-certified contractors agree to maintain Medicare cost reports and to submit them to the commissioner upon request, or at times specified by the commissioner; and that contractors that are not Medicare-certified agree to maintain a uniform cost report in a format established by the commissioner and to submit the report to the commissioner upon request, or at times specified by the commissioner;

(6) a requirement that demonstrates willingness and ability to develop and maintain data collection and retrieval systems to measure outcomes; and

(7) a requirement to provide all information and assurances required by the terms and conditions of the federal waiver or federal approval.

(d) In addition to the information and assurances contained in the submitted proposals, the commissioner may consider the following criteria in developing the terms of the contract:

(1) the facility's history of compliance with federal and state laws and rules. A facility deemed to be in substantial compliance with federal and state laws and rules is eligible to respond to a request for proposals. A facility's compliance history shall not be the sole determining factor in situations where the facility has been sold and the new owners have submitted a proposal;

(2) whether the facility has a record of excessive licensure fines or sanctions or fraudulent cost reports;

(3) the facility's financial history and solvency; and

(4) other factors identified by the commissioner deemed relevant to developing the terms of the contract, including a determination that a contract with a particular facility is not in the best interests of the residents of the facility or the state of Minnesota.

(e) Notwithstanding the requirements of the solicitation process described in chapter 16C, the commissioner may contract with nursing facilities established according to section 144A.073 without issuing a request for proposals.

(f) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, after July 1, 2001, the commissioner may contract with additional nursing facilities, according to requests for proposals.

Subd. 2. Contract provisions. (a) The performance-based contract with each nursing facility must include provisions that:

(1) apply the resident case mix assessment provisions of Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0051, 9549.0058, and 9549.0059, or another assessment system, with the goal of moving to a single assessment system;

(2) monitor resident outcomes through various methods, such as quality indicators based on the minimum data set and other utilization and performance measures;

(3) require the establishment and use of a continuous quality improvement process that integrates information from quality indicators and regular resident and family satisfaction interviews;

(4) require annual reporting of facility statistical information, including resident days by case mix category, productive nursing hours, wages and benefits, and raw food costs for use by the commissioner in the development of facility profiles that include trends in payment and service utilization;

(5) require from each nursing facility an annual certified audited financial statement consisting of a balance sheet, income and expense statements, and an opinion from either a licensed or certified public accountant, if a certified audit was prepared, or unaudited financial statements if no certified audit was prepared;

(6) specify the method for resolving disputes; and

(7) establish additional requirements for nursing facilities not meeting the standards set forth in the performance-based contract.

(b) The commissioner may develop additional incentive-based payments for achieving specified outcomes specified in each contract. The specified facility-specific outcomes must be measurable and approved by the commissioner.

(c) The commissioner may also contract with nursing facilities in other ways through requests for proposals, including contracts on a risk or nonrisk basis, with nursing facilities or consortia of nursing facilities, to provide comprehensive long-term care coverage on a premium or capitated basis.

(d) The commissioner may negotiate different contract terms for different nursing facilities.

Subd. 2a. Duration and termination of contracts. (a) All contracts entered into under this section are for a term of one year. Either party may terminate this contract at any time without cause by providing 90 calendar days' advance written notice to the other party. Notwithstanding section 16C.05, subdivisions 2, paragraph (a), and 5, if neither party provides written notice of termination, the contract shall be renegotiated for additional one-year terms or the terms of the existing contract will be extended for one year. The provisions of the contract shall be renegotiated annually by the parties prior to the expiration date of the contract. The parties may voluntarily renegotiate the terms of the contract at any time by mutual agreement.

(b) If a nursing facility fails to comply with the terms of a contract, the commissioner shall provide reasonable notice regarding the breach of contract and a reasonable opportunity for the facility to come into compliance. If the facility fails to come into compliance or to remain in compliance, the commissioner may terminate the contract. If a contract is terminated, provisions of section 256B.48, subdivision 1a, shall apply.

Subd. 3. Payment rate provisions. (a) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2001, within the limits of appropriations specifically for this purpose, the commissioner shall determine operating cost payment rates for each licensed and certified nursing facility by indexing its operating cost payment rates in effect on June 30, 2001, for inflation. For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2001, the inflation factor must be based on the change in the Employment Cost Index for Private Industry Workers - Total Compensation as forecasted by the commissioner of finance's national economic consultant, in the fourth quarter preceding the rate year. The forecasted index for operating cost payment rates shall be based on the 12-month period from the midpoint of the nursing facility's prior rate year to the midpoint of the rate year for which the operating payment rate is being determined. The operating cost payment rate to be inflated shall be the total payment rate in effect on June 30, 2001, minus the portion determined to be the property-related payment rate, minus the per diem amount of the preadmission screening cost included in the nursing facility's last payment rate established under section 256B.431.

(b) A per diem amount for preadmission screening will be added onto the contract payment rates according to the method of distribution of county allocation described in section 256B.0911, subdivision 6, paragraph (a).

(c) For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2001, the commissioner may implement a new method of payment for property-related costs that addresses the capital needs of facilities. The new property payment system or systems, if implemented, shall replace the current methods of setting property payment rates under sections 256B.431 and 256B.434.

Subd. 4. Contract payment rates; appeals. If an appeal is pending concerning the cost-based payment rates that are the basis for the calculation of the payment rate under this section, the commissioner and the nursing facility may agree on an interim contract rate to be used until the appeal is resolved. When the appeal is resolved, the contract rate must be adjusted retroactively according to the appeal decision.

Subd. 5. Consumer protection. In addition to complying with all applicable laws regarding consumer protection, as a condition of entering into a contract under this section, a nursing facility must agree to:

(1) establish resident grievance procedures;

(2) establish expedited grievance procedures to resolve complaints made by short-stay residents; and

(3) make available to residents and families a copy of the performance-based contract and outcomes to be achieved.

Subd. 6. Contracts are voluntary. Participation of nursing facilities in the medical assistance program is voluntary. The terms and procedures governing the performance-based contract are determined under this section and through negotiations between the commissioner and nursing facilities.

Subd. 7. Federal requirements. The commissioner shall implement the performance-based contracting system subject to any required federal waivers or approval and in a manner that is consistent with federal requirements. If a provision of this section is inconsistent with a federal requirement, the federal requirement supersedes the inconsistent provision. The commissioner shall seek federal approval and request waivers as necessary to implement this section.

Subd. 8. Case-mix adjustments based upon the minimum data set. The performance-based contracting system must include case-mix adjustments that are based upon the federally mandated minimum data set assessment instrument. These case-mix adjustments must be incorporated into the performance-based contracting system beginning on or after July 1, 2001, but no later than January 1, 2002, and must have a budget neutral financial impact on each facility at the time of implementation, relative to case-mix adjustments based upon the current state case-mix.

HIST: 1998 c 407 art 3 s 14; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 25; 2000 c 315 s 1

256B.436 Voluntary closures; planning.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) "Closure" means the voluntary cessation of operations of a nursing facility and voluntary delicensure and decertification of all nursing facility beds of the nursing facility.

(b) "Commencement of closure" means the date on which the commissioner of health is notified of a planned closure in accordance with an approved closure plan.

(c) "Completion of closure" means the date on which the final resident of the nursing facility or nursing facilities designated for closure in an approved closure plan is discharged from the facility or facilities.

(d) "Closure plan" means a plan to close one or more nursing facilities and reallocate the resulting savings to provide special rate adjustments at other facilities.

(e) "Interim closure payments" means the medical assistance payments that may be made to a nursing facility designated for closure in an approved plan under this section.

(f) "Phased plan" means a closure plan affecting more than one nursing facility undergoing closure that is commenced and completed in phases.

(g) "Special rate adjustment" means an increase in a nursing facility's operating rates under this section.

(h) "Standardized resident days" means the standardized resident days as calculated under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0054, subpart 2, based on the resident days in each resident class for the most recent reporting period required to be reported to the commissioner.

Subd. 2. Proposal for a closure plan. (a) One or more nursing facilities that are owned or operated by a nonprofit corporation owning or operating more than 22 nursing facilities licensed in the state of Minnesota may submit to the commissioner a proposal for a closure plan under this section. Between February 25, 2000, and June 30, 2001, the commissioner may negotiate phased plans for closure of up to seven nursing facilities.

(b) A facility or facilities reimbursed under section 256B.431 or 256B.434 with a closure plan approved by the commissioner under subdivision 4 are eligible for the following payments:

(1) facilities designated for closure are eligible for interim closure payments under subdivision 5; and

(2) facilities that remain open are eligible for a special rate adjustment.

(c) To be considered for approval, a proposal must include the following:

(1) a description of the proposed closure plan, which shall include identification of the facility or facilities to receive a special rate adjustment, the amount and timing of a special rate adjustment proposed for each facility for the case mix level "A" operating rate, the standardized resident days for each facility for which a special rate adjustment is proposed, and the effective date for each special rate adjustment. The actual special rate adjustment for a facility shall be allocated proportionately to the various rate per diems included in that facility's operating rate;

(2) an analysis of the projected state medical assistance costs of the closure plan as proposed, including the estimated costs of the special rate adjustments and estimated resident relocation costs, including county government costs;

(3) an analysis of the projected state medical assistance savings of the closure plan as proposed, including any savings projected to result from closure of one or more nursing facilities;

(4) the proposed timetable for any proposed closure, including the proposed dates for commencement and completion of closure;

(5) the proposed relocation plan for current residents of any facility designated for closure. The proposed relocation plan must be designed to comply with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, Minnesota Rules, parts 4655.6810 to 4655.6830; parts 4658.1600 to 4658.1690; and parts 9546.0010 to 9546.0060; and

(6) documentation, in a format approved by the commissioner, that all the nursing facilities receiving a special rate adjustment under the plan have accepted joint and several liability for recovery of overpayments under section 256B.0641, subdivision 2, for the facilities designated for closure under the plan.

Subd. 3. Phased closure plans. A proposal for a phased plan may include more than one closure, each of which must meet the requirements of this section and each of which may be implemented in phases at different times. As part of a phased plan, a nursing facility may receive a special rate adjustment under more than one phase of the plan, and the cost savings from the closure of a nursing facility designated for closure under the plan may be applied as an offset to the subsequent costs of more than one phase of the plan. If a facility is proposed to receive a special rate adjustment or provide cost savings under more than one phase of a plan, the proposal must describe the special rate adjustments or cost savings in each of the affected phases of the plan. Review and approval of a phased plan under subdivision 4 shall apply to all phases of the plan as proposed.

Subd. 4. Review and approval of proposals. (a) The commissioner may grant interim closure payments or special rate adjustments for a nursing facility or facilities according to an approved plan that satisfies the requirements of this section. The commissioner shall not approve a proposal unless the commissioner determines that projected state savings of the plan equal or exceed projected state and county government costs, including facility costs during the closure period, the estimated costs of special rate adjustments, estimated resident relocation costs, the cost of services to relocated residents, and state agency administrative costs directly related to the accomplishment of duties specified in this subdivision relative to that proposal. To achieve cost neutrality costs may only be offset against savings that occur within the same fiscal year. For purposes of a phased plan, the requirement that costs must not exceed savings applies to both the aggregate costs and savings of the plan and to each phase of the plan. A special rate adjustment under this section shall be effective no earlier than the first day of the month following completion of closure of all facilities designated for closure under the plan. For purposes of a phased plan, the special rate adjustment for each phase shall be effective no earlier than the first day of the month following completion of closure of all facilities designated for closure in that phase of the plan. No special rate adjustment under this section shall take effect prior to July 1, 2000.

(b) Upon receipt of a proposal for a closure plan, the commissioner shall provide a copy of the proposal to the commissioner of health. The commissioner of health shall certify to the commissioner within 30 days whether the proposal, if implemented, will satisfy the requirements of Minnesota Rules, parts 4655.6810 to 4655.6830, and parts 4658.1600 to 4658.1690. The commissioner shall not approve a plan under this section unless the commissioner of health has made the certification required under this paragraph.

(c) The commissioner shall review a proposal for a closure plan to determine whether it satisfies the requirements of this section. A determination shall be made within 60 days of the date the proposal is submitted. If the commissioner determines that the proposal does not satisfy the requirements of this section, or if the commissioner of health does not certify the proposal under paragraph (b), the applicant shall be provided written notice as soon as practicable specifying the deficiencies of the proposal. The proposal may be modified and resubmitted for further review by each commissioner. The commissioner of health shall review a modified proposal within 30 days from the date it is submitted, and the commissioner shall make a final determination on whether the proposal satisfies the requirements of this section within 60 days of the date the modified proposal is submitted.

(d) Approval of a closure plan expires 18 months after approval by the commissioner, unless commencement of closure has occurred at all facilities designated for closure under the plan.

Subd. 5. Interim closure payments. Instead of payments under section 256B.431 or 256B.434, the commissioner may approve a closure plan under which the commissioner shall:

(1) apply the interim and settle-up rate provisions under Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0057, to include facilities covered by this section, effective from commencement of closure to completion of closure;

(2) extend the length of the interim period but not to exceed 12 months;

(3) limit the amount of reimbursable expenses related to the acquisition of new capital assets;

(4) prohibit the acquisition of additional capital debt or refinancing of existing capital debt unless prior approval is obtained from the commissioner;

(5) establish as the aggregate administrative operating cost limitation for the interim period the actual aggregate administrative operating costs for the period immediately prior to commencement of closure that is of the same duration as the interim period;

(6) require the retention of financial and statistical records until the commissioner has audited the interim period and the settle-up rate;

(7) make aggregate payments under this subdivision for the interim period up to the level of the aggregate payments for the period immediately prior to commencement of closure that is of the same duration as the interim period; or

(8) change any other provision to which all parties to the plan agree.

Subd. 6. Cost savings of closure. For purposes of this section, the calculation of medical assistance cost savings from the closure of a nursing facility designated for closure under a closure plan shall be according to the following criteria:

(a) The projected medical assistance savings of the closure of a facility shall be the aggregate medical assistance payments to the facility for the most recently completed state fiscal year prior to submission of the proposal, as reflected in the number of resident days of care for each resident class provided by the facility in that fiscal year, multiplied by the payment rate for each resident class.

(b) If one or more facilities designated for closure in an approved closure plan are not able to be closed for any reason, or projection of savings for that closure are otherwise prohibited under this section, the projected medical assistance savings from that closure may not be offset against the medical assistance costs of special rate adjustments under the plan. In that event, the applicant must notify the commissioner in writing and the applicant must either amend its proposal by reducing the special rate adjustment to reduce the medical assistance cost of the plan by at least the amount of the medical assistance savings that were projected from the closure of that facility or withdraw the plan.

(c) No medical assistance savings shall be projected from closure of a nursing facility that is designated for closure under a closure plan, if the facility is:

(1) subject to adverse licensure action under section 144A.11; or

(2) located in a county with a ratio of nursing facility beds to county residents age 85 and over that is in the lowest quartile of all counties in the state, at the time the proposal is submitted or at the commencement of closure.

(d) Medical assistance savings under paragraph (a) shall be recognized for purposes of this section beginning the first day of the month following the month of completion of closure for all facilities designated for closure under the plan, or all facilities designated for closure under that phase for a phased plan.

Subd. 7. Other rate adjustments. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 5, facilities subject to this section remain eligible for any applicable rate adjustments provided under section 256B.431, 256B.434, or any other section.

Subd. 8. County costs. A portion of the savings estimated under subdivision 4, not to exceed $75,000 per closing facility, may be transferred from the medical assistance account to the commissioner to be used for relocation costs incurred by counties.

HIST: 2000 c 364 s 1; 2001 c 36 s 1; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 40

256B.437 Nursing facility voluntary closures; planning and development of community-based alternatives.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to subdivisions 2 to 8.

(b) "Closure" means the cessation of operations of a nursing facility and delicensure and decertification of all beds within the facility.

(c) "Closure plan" means a plan to close a nursing facility and reallocate a portion of the resulting savings to provide planned closure rate adjustments at other facilities.

(d) "Commencement of closure" means the date on which residents and designated representatives are notified of a planned closure as provided in section 144A.161, subdivision 5a, as part of an approved closure plan.

(e) "Completion of closure" means the date on which the final resident of the nursing facility designated for closure in an approved closure plan is discharged from the facility.

(f) "Partial closure" means the delicensure and decertification of a portion of the beds within the facility.

(g) "Planned closure rate adjustment" means an increase in a nursing facility's operating rates resulting from a planned closure or a planned partial closure of another facility.

Subd. 2. Planning and development of community-based services. (a) The commissioner of human services shall establish a process to adjust the capacity and distribution of long-term care services to equalize the supply and demand for different types of services. This process must include community planning, expansion or establishment of needed services, and analysis of voluntary nursing facility closures.

(b) The purpose of this process is to support the planning and development of community-based services. This process must support early intervention, advocacy, and consumer protection while providing resources and incentives for expanded county planning and for nursing facilities to transition to meet community needs.

(c) The process shall support and facilitate expansion of community-based services under the county-administered alternative care program under section 256B.0913 and waivers for elderly under section 256B.0915, including, but not limited to, the development of supportive services such as housing and transportation. The process shall utilize community assessments and planning developed for the community health services plan and plan update and for the community social services act plan, and other relevant information.

(d) The commissioners of health and human services, as appropriate, shall provide, by July 15, 2001, available data necessary for the county, including, but not limited to, data on nursing facility bed distribution, housing with services options, the closure of nursing facilities that occur outside of the planned closure process, and approval of planned closures in the county and contiguous counties.

(e) Each county shall submit to the commissioner of human services, by October 15, 2001, a gaps analysis that identifies local service needs, pending development of services, and any other issues that would contribute to or impede further development of community-based services. The gaps analysis must also be sent to the local area agency on aging and, if applicable, local SAIL projects, for review and comment. The review and comment must assess needs across county boundaries. The area agencies on aging and SAIL projects must provide the commissioner and the counties with their review and analyses by November 15, 2001.

(f) The addendum to the biennial plan shall be submitted annually, beginning December 31, 2001, and each December 31 thereafter, and shall include recommendations for development of community-based services. Both planning and implementation shall be implemented within the amount of funding made available to the county board for these purposes.

(g) The plan, within the funding allocated, shall:

(1) include the gaps analysis required by paragraph (e);

(2) involve providers, consumers, cities, townships, businesses, and area agencies on aging in the planning process;

(3) address the availability of alternative care and elderly waiver services for eligible recipients;

(4) address the development of other supportive services, such as transit, housing, and workforce and economic development; and

(5) estimate the cost and timelines for development.

(h) The biennial plan addendum shall be coordinated with the county mental health plan for inclusion in the community health services plan and included as an addendum to the community social services plan.

(i) The county board having financial responsibility for persons present in another county shall cooperate with that county for planning and development of services.

(j) The county board shall cooperate in planning and development of community-based services with other counties, as necessary, and coordinate planning for long-term care services that involve more than one county, within the funding allocated for these purposes.

(k) The commissioners of health and human services, in cooperation with county boards, shall report to the legislature by February 1 of each year, beginning February 1, 2002, regarding the development of community-based services, transition or closure of nursing facilities, and specific gaps in services in identified geographic areas that may require additional resources or flexibility, as documented by the process in this subdivision and reported to the commissioners by December 31 of each year.

Subd. 3. Applications for planned closure of nursing facilities. (a) By August 15, 2001, the commissioner of human services shall implement and announce a program for closure or partial closure of nursing facilities. Names and identifying information provided in response to the announcement shall remain private unless approved, according to the timelines established in the plan. The announcement must specify:

(1) the criteria in subdivision 4 that will be used by the commissioner to approve or reject applications;

(2) a requirement for the submission of a letter of intent before the submission of an application;

(3) the information that must accompany an application; and

(4) that applications may combine planned closure rate adjustments with moratorium exception funding, in which case a single application may serve both purposes.

Between August 1, 2001, and June 30, 2003, the commissioner may approve planned closures of up to 5,140 nursing facility beds, less the number of licensed beds in facilities that close during the same time period without approved closure plans or that have notified the commissioner of health of their intent to close without an approved closure plan.

(b) A facility or facilities reimbursed under section 256B.431 or 256B.434 with a closure plan approved by the commissioner under subdivision 5 may assign a planned closure rate adjustment to another facility or facilities that are not closing or in the case of a partial closure, to the facility undertaking the partial closure. A facility may also elect to have a planned closure rate adjustment shared equally by the five nursing facilities with the lowest total operating payment rates in the state development region designated under section 462.385, in which the facility that is closing is located. The planned closure rate adjustment must be calculated under subdivision 6. Facilities that close without a closure plan, or whose closure plan is not approved by the commissioner, are not eligible to assign a planned closure rate adjustment under subdivision 6. The commissioner shall calculate the amount the facility would have been eligible to assign under subdivision 6, and shall use this amount to provide equal rate adjustments to the five nursing facilities with the lowest total operating payment rates in the state development region designated under section 462.385, in which the facility that closed is located.

(c) To be considered for approval, an application must include:

(1) a description of the proposed closure plan, which must include identification of the facility or facilities to receive a planned closure rate adjustment and the amount and timing of a planned closure rate adjustment proposed for each facility;

(2) the proposed timetable for any proposed closure, including the proposed dates for announcement to residents, commencement of closure, and completion of closure;

(3) the proposed relocation plan for current residents of any facility designated for closure. The proposed relocation plan must be designed to comply with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, section 144A.161;

(4) a description of the relationship between the nursing facility that is proposed for closure and the nursing facility or facilities proposed to receive the planned closure rate adjustment. If these facilities are not under common ownership, copies of any contracts, purchase agreements, or other documents establishing a relationship or proposed relationship must be provided;

(5) documentation, in a format approved by the commissioner, that all the nursing facilities receiving a planned closure rate adjustment under the plan have accepted joint and several liability for recovery of overpayments under section 256B.0641, subdivision 2, for the facilities designated for closure under the plan; and

(6) an explanation of how the application coordinates with planning efforts under subdivision 2. If the planning group does not support a level of nursing facility closures that the commissioner considers to be reasonable, the commissioner may approve a planned closure proposal without its support.

(d) The application must address the criteria listed in subdivision 4.

Subd. 4. Criteria for review of application. In reviewing and approving closure proposals, the commissioner shall consider, but not be limited to, the following criteria:

(1) improved quality of care and quality of life for consumers;

(2) closure of a nursing facility that has a poor physical plant, which may be evidenced by the conditions referred to in section 144A.073, subdivision 4, clauses (4) and (5);

(3) the existence of excess nursing facility beds, measured in terms of beds per thousand persons aged 85 or older. The excess must be measured in reference to:

(i) the county in which the facility is located;

(ii) the county and all contiguous counties;

(iii) the region in which the facility is located; or

(iv) the facility's service area;

the facility shall indicate in its application the service area it believes is appropriate for this measurement. A facility in a county that is in the lowest quartile of counties with reference to beds per thousand persons aged 85 or older is not in an area of excess capacity;

(4) low-occupancy rates, provided that the unoccupied beds are not the result of a personnel shortage. In analyzing occupancy rates, the commissioner shall examine waiting lists in the applicant facility and at facilities in the surrounding area, as determined under clause (3);

(5) evidence of coordination between the community planning process and the facility application. If the planning group does not support a level of nursing facility closures that the commissioner considers to be reasonable, the commissioner may approve a planned closure proposal without its support;

(6) proposed usage of funds available from a planned closure rate adjustment for care-related purposes;

(7) innovative use planned for the closed facility's physical plant;

(8) evidence that the proposal serves the interests of the state; and

(9) evidence of other factors that affect the viability of the facility, including excessive nursing pool costs.

Subd. 5. Review and approval of applications. (a) The commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioner of health, shall approve or disapprove an application within 30 days after receiving it. The commissioner may appoint an advisory review panel composed of representatives of counties, SAIL projects, consumers, and providers to review proposals and provide comments and recommendations to the committee. The commissioners of human services and health shall provide staff and technical assistance to the committee for the review and analysis of proposals.

(b) Approval of a planned closure expires 18 months after approval by the commissioner of human services, unless commencement of closure has begun.

(c) The commissioner of human services may change any provision of the application to which the applicant, the regional planning group, and the commissioner agree.

Subd. 6. Planned closure rate adjustment. (a) The commissioner of human services shall calculate the amount of the planned closure rate adjustment available under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), for up to 5,140 beds according to clauses (1) to (4):

(1) the amount available is the net reduction of nursing facility beds multiplied by $2,080;

(2) the total number of beds in the nursing facility or facilities receiving the planned closure rate adjustment must be identified;

(3) capacity days are determined by multiplying the number determined under clause (2) by 365; and

(4) the planned closure rate adjustment is the amount available in clause (1), divided by capacity days determined under clause (3).

(b) A planned closure rate adjustment under this section is effective on the first day of the month following completion of closure of the facility designated for closure in the application and becomes part of the nursing facility's total operating payment rate.

(c) Applicants may use the planned closure rate adjustment to allow for a property payment for a new nursing facility or an addition to an existing nursing facility or as an operating payment rate adjustment. Applications approved under this subdivision are exempt from other requirements for moratorium exceptions under section 144A.073, subdivisions 2 and 3.

(d) Upon the request of a closing facility, the commissioner must allow the facility a closure rate adjustment as provided under section 144A.161, subdivision 10.

Subd. 7. Other rate adjustments. Facilities receiving planned closure rate adjustments remain eligible for any applicable rate adjustments provided under section 256B.431, 256B.434, or any other section.

Subd. 8. County costs. The commissioner of human services shall allocate funds for relocation costs incurred by counties for planned closures under this section as provided under section 144A.161, subdivision 11.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 27

256B.438 Implementation of a case mix system for nursing facilities based on the minimum data set.

Subdivision 1. Scope. This section establishes the method and criteria used to determine resident reimbursement classifications based upon the assessments of residents of nursing homes and boarding care homes whose payment rates are established under section 256B.431, 256B.434, or 256B.435. Resident reimbursement classifications shall be established according to the 34 group, resource utilization groups, version III or RUG-III model as described in section 144.0724. Reimbursement classifications established under this section shall be implemented after June 30, 2002, but no later than January 1, 2003.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(a) Assessment reference date. "Assessment reference date" has the meaning given in section 144.0724, subdivision 2, paragraph (a).

(b) Case mix index. "Case mix index" has the meaning given in section 144.0724, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

(c) Index maximization. "Index maximization" has the meaning given in section 144.0724, subdivision 2, paragraph (c).

(d) Minimum data set. "Minimum data set" has the meaning given in section 144.0724, subdivision 2, paragraph (d).

(e) Representative. "Representative" has the meaning given in section 144.0724, subdivision 2, paragraph (e).

(f) Resource utilization groups or rug. "Resource utilization groups" or "RUG" has the meaning given in section 144.0724, subdivision 2, paragraph (f).

Subd. 3. Case mix indices. (a) The commissioner of human services shall assign a case mix index to each resident class based on the Health Care Financing Administration's staff time measurement study and adjusted for Minnesota-specific wage indices. The case mix indices assigned to each resident class shall be published in the Minnesota State Register at least 120 days prior to the implementation of the 34 group, RUG-III resident classification system.

(b) An index maximization approach shall be used to classify residents.

(c) After implementation of the revised case mix system, the commissioner of human services may annually rebase case mix indices and base rates using more current data on average wage rates and staff time measurement studies. This rebasing shall be calculated under subdivision 7, paragraph (b). The commissioner shall publish in the Minnesota State Register adjusted case mix indices at least 45 days prior to the effective date of the adjusted case mix indices.

Subd. 4. Resident assessment schedule. (a) Nursing facilities shall conduct and submit case mix assessments according to the schedule established by the commissioner of health under section 144.0724, subdivisions 4 and 5.

(b) The resident reimbursement classifications established under section 144.0724, subdivision 3, shall be effective the day of admission for new admission assessments. The effective date for significant change assessments shall be the assessment reference date. The effective date for annual and second quarterly assessments shall be the first day of the month following assessment reference date.

Subd. 5. Notice of resident reimbursement classification. Nursing facilities shall provide notice to a resident of the resident's case mix classification according to procedures established by the commissioner of health under section 144.0724, subdivision 7.

Subd. 6. Reconsideration of resident classification. Any request for reconsideration of a resident classification must be made under section 144.0724, subdivision 8.

Subd. 7. Rate determination upon transition to RUG-III payment rates. (a) The commissioner of human services shall determine payment rates at the time of transition to the RUG based payment model in a facility-specific, budget-neutral manner. The case mix indices as defined in subdivision 3 shall be used to allocate the case mix adjusted component of total payment across all case mix groups. To transition from the current calculation methodology to the RUG based methodology, the commissioner of health shall report to the commissioner of human services the resident days classified according to the categories defined in subdivision 3 for the 12-month reporting period ending September 30, 2001, for each nursing facility. The commissioner of human services shall use this data to compute the standardized days for the reporting period under the RUG system.

(b) The commissioner of human services shall determine the case mix adjusted component of the rate as follows:

(1) determine the case mix portion of the 11 case mix rates in effect on June 30, 2002, or the 34 case mix rates in effect on or after June 30, 2003;

(2) multiply each amount in clause (1) by the number of resident days assigned to each group for the reporting period ending September 30, 2001, or the most recent year for which data is available;

(3) compute the sum of the amounts in clause (2);

(4) determine the total RUG standardized days for the reporting period ending September 30, 2001, or the most recent year for which data is available using the new indices calculated under subdivision 3, paragraph (c);

(5) divide the amount in clause (3) by the amount in clause (4) which shall be the average case mix adjusted component of the rate under the RUG method; and

(6) multiply this average rate by the case mix weight in subdivision 3 for each RUG group.

(c) The noncase mix component will be allocated to each RUG group as a constant amount to determine the transition payment rate. Any other rate adjustments that are effective on or after July 1, 2002, shall be applied to the transition rates determined under this section.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 28

256B.439 Long-term care quality profiles.

Subdivision l. Development and implementation of quality profiles. (a) The commissioner of human services, in cooperation with the commissioner of health, shall develop and implement a quality profile system for nursing facilities and, beginning not later than July 1, 2003, other providers of long-term care services, except when the quality profile system would duplicate requirements under section 256B.5011, 256B.5012, or 256B.5013. The system must be developed and implemented to the extent possible without the collection of significant amounts of new data. To the extent possible, the system must incorporate or be coordinated with information on quality maintained by area agencies on aging, long-term care trade associations, and other entities. The system must be designed to provide information on quality to:

(1) consumers and their families to facilitate informed choices of service providers;

(2) providers to enable them to measure the results of their quality improvement efforts and compare quality achievements with other service providers; and

(3) public and private purchasers of long-term care services to enable them to purchase high-quality care.

(b) The system must be developed in consultation with the long-term care task force, area agencies on aging, and representatives of consumers, providers, and labor unions. Within the limits of available appropriations, the commissioners may employ consultants to assist with this project.

Subd. 2. Quality measurement tools. The commissioners shall identify and apply existing quality measurement tools to:

(1) emphasize quality of care and its relationship to quality of life; and

(2) address the needs of various users of long-term care services, including, but not limited to, short-stay residents, persons with behavioral problems, persons with dementia, and persons who are members of minority groups.

The tools must be identified and applied, to the extent possible, without requiring providers to supply information beyond current state and federal requirements.

Subd. 3. Consumer surveys. Following identification of the quality measurement tool, the commissioners shall conduct surveys of long-term care service consumers to develop quality profiles of providers. To the extent possible, surveys must be conducted face-to-face by state employees or contractors. At the discretion of the commissioners, surveys may be conducted by telephone or by provider staff. Surveys must be conducted periodically to update quality profiles of individual service providers.

Subd. 4. Dissemination of quality profiles. By July 1, 2002, the commissioners shall implement a system to disseminate the quality profiles developed from consumer surveys using the quality measurement tool. Profiles may be disseminated to the Senior LinkAge line and to consumers, providers, and purchasers of long-term care services through all feasible printed and electronic outlets. The commissioners may conduct a public awareness campaign to inform potential users regarding profile contents and potential uses.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 29

256B.44 Subdivision 1. Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1979 c 336 s 18; 1983 c 199 s 19

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19

256B.45 Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19

256B.46 Repealed, 1983 c 199 s 19

256B.47 Nonallowable costs; notice of increases to private paying residents; allocation of costs.

Subdivision 1. Nonallowable costs. The following costs shall not be recognized as allowable: (1) political contributions; (2) salaries or expenses of a lobbyist, as defined in section 10A.01, subdivision 21, for lobbying activities; (3) advertising designed to encourage potential residents to select a particular nursing facility; (4) assessments levied by the commissioner of health for uncorrected violations; (5) legal and related expenses for unsuccessful challenges to decisions by governmental agencies; (6) memberships in sports, health or similar social clubs or organizations; (7) costs incurred for activities directly related to influencing employees with respect to unionization; and (8) direct and indirect costs of providing services which are billed separately from the nursing facility's payment rate or pursuant to Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.0750 to 9500.1080. The commissioner shall by rule exclude the costs of any other items not directly related to the provision of resident care.

Subd. 2. Notice to residents. No increase in nursing facility rates for private paying residents shall be effective unless the nursing facility notifies the resident or person responsible for payment of the increase in writing 30 days before the increase takes effect.

A nursing facility may adjust its rates without giving the notice required by this subdivision when the purpose of the rate adjustment is to reflect a necessary change in the level of care provided to a resident. If the state fails to set rates as required by section 256B.431, the time required for giving notice is decreased by the number of days by which the state was late in setting the rates.

Subd. 3. Allocation of costs. To ensure the avoidance of double payments as required by section 256B.433, the direct and indirect reporting year costs of providing residents of nursing facilities that are not hospital attached with therapy services that are billed separately from the nursing facility payment rate or according to Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.0750 to 9500.1080, must be determined and deducted from the appropriate cost categories of the annual cost report as follows:

(a) The costs of wages and salaries for employees providing or participating in providing and consultants providing services shall be allocated to the therapy service based on direct identification.

(b) The costs of fringe benefits and payroll taxes relating to the costs in paragraph (a) must be allocated to the therapy service based on direct identification or the ratio of total costs in paragraph (a) to the sum of total allowable salaries and the costs in paragraph (a).

(c) The costs of housekeeping, plant operations and maintenance, real estate taxes, special assessments, and insurance, other than the amounts classified as a fringe benefit, must be allocated to the therapy service based on the ratio of service area square footage to total facility square footage.

(d) The costs of bookkeeping and medical records must be allocated to the therapy service either by the method in paragraph (e) or based on direct identification. Direct identification may be used if adequate documentation is provided to, and accepted by, the commissioner.

(e) The costs of administrators, bookkeeping, and medical records salaries, except as provided in paragraph (d), must be allocated to the therapy service based on the ratio of the total costs in paragraphs (a) to (d) to the sum of total allowable nursing facility costs and the costs in paragraphs (a) to (d).

(f) The cost of property must be allocated to the therapy service and removed from the nursing facility's property-related payment rate, based on the ratio of service area square footage to total facility square footage multiplied by the property-related payment rate.

Subd. 4. Allocation of costs; hospital-attached facilities. To ensure the avoidance of double payments as required by section 256B.433, the direct and indirect reporting year costs of providing therapy services to residents of a hospital-attached nursing facility, when the services are billed separately from the nursing facility's payment rate or according to Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.0750 to 9500.1080, must be determined and deducted from the appropriate cost categories of the annual cost report based on the Medicare step-down as prepared in accordance with instructions provided by the commissioner.

HIST: 1976 c 282 s 7; 1977 c 305 s 45; 1977 c 326 s 15,16; 1979 c 35 s 1; 1980 c 570 s 2; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1983 c 199 s 13; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 91-93; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 79; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 136; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 102; 1999 c 220 s 50

256B.48 Conditions for participation.

Subdivision 1. Prohibited practices. A nursing facility is not eligible to receive medical assistance payments unless it refrains from all of the following:

(a) Charging private paying residents rates for similar services which exceed those which are approved by the state agency for medical assistance recipients as determined by the prospective desk audit rate, except under the following circumstances: the nursing facility may (1) charge private paying residents a higher rate for a private room, and (2) charge for special services which are not included in the daily rate if medical assistance residents are charged separately at the same rate for the same services in addition to the daily rate paid by the commissioner. Services covered by the payment rate must be the same regardless of payment source. Special services, if offered, must be available to all residents in all areas of the nursing facility and charged separately at the same rate. Residents are free to select or decline special services. Special services must not include services which must be provided by the nursing facility in order to comply with licensure or certification standards and that if not provided would result in a deficiency or violation by the nursing facility. Services beyond those required to comply with licensure or certification standards must not be charged separately as a special service if they were included in the payment rate for the previous reporting year. A nursing facility that charges a private paying resident a rate in violation of this clause is subject to an action by the state of Minnesota or any of its subdivisions or agencies for civil damages. A private paying resident or the resident's legal representative has a cause of action for civil damages against a nursing facility that charges the resident rates in violation of this clause. The damages awarded shall include three times the payments that result from the violation, together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys' fees or their equivalent. A private paying resident or the resident's legal representative, the state, subdivision or agency, or a nursing facility may request a hearing to determine the allowed rate or rates at issue in the cause of action. Within 15 calendar days after receiving a request for such a hearing, the commissioner shall request assignment of an administrative law judge under sections 14.48 to 14.56 to conduct the hearing as soon as possible or according to agreement by the parties. The administrative law judge shall issue a report within 15 calendar days following the close of the hearing. The prohibition set forth in this clause shall not apply to facilities licensed as boarding care facilities which are not certified as skilled or intermediate care facilities level I or II for reimbursement through medical assistance.

(b)(1) Charging, soliciting, accepting, or receiving from an applicant for admission to the facility, or from anyone acting in behalf of the applicant, as a condition of admission, expediting the admission, or as a requirement for the individual's continued stay, any fee, deposit, gift, money, donation, or other consideration not otherwise required as payment under the state plan;

(2) requiring an individual, or anyone acting in behalf of the individual, to loan any money to the nursing facility;

(3) requiring an individual, or anyone acting in behalf of the individual, to promise to leave all or part of the individual's estate to the facility; or

(4) requiring a third-party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of admission, expedited admission, or continued stay in the facility.

Nothing in this paragraph would prohibit discharge for nonpayment of services in accordance with state and federal regulations.

(c) Requiring any resident of the nursing facility to utilize a vendor of health care services chosen by the nursing facility. A nursing facility may require a resident to use pharmacies that utilize unit dose packing systems approved by the Minnesota board of pharmacy, and may require a resident to use pharmacies that are able to meet the federal regulations for safe and timely administration of medications such as systems with specific number of doses, prompt delivery of medications, or access to medications on a 24-hour basis. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, nursing facilities shall not restrict a resident's choice of pharmacy because the pharmacy utilizes a specific system of unit dose drug packing.

(d) Providing differential treatment on the basis of status with regard to public assistance.

(e) Discriminating in admissions, services offered, or room assignment on the basis of status with regard to public assistance or refusal to purchase special services. Admissions discrimination shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) basing admissions decisions upon assurance by the applicant to the nursing facility, or the applicant's guardian or conservator, that the applicant is neither eligible for nor will seek public assistance for payment of nursing facility care costs; and

(2) engaging in preferential selection from waiting lists based on an applicant's ability to pay privately or an applicant's refusal to pay for a special service.

The collection and use by a nursing facility of financial information of any applicant pursuant to a preadmission screening program established by law shall not raise an inference that the nursing facility is utilizing that information for any purpose prohibited by this paragraph.

(f) Requiring any vendor of medical care as defined by section 256B.02, subdivision 7, who is reimbursed by medical assistance under a separate fee schedule, to pay any amount based on utilization or service levels or any portion of the vendor's fee to the nursing facility except as payment for renting or leasing space or equipment or purchasing support services from the nursing facility as limited by section 256B.433. All agreements must be disclosed to the commissioner upon request of the commissioner. Nursing facilities and vendors of ancillary services that are found to be in violation of this provision shall each be subject to an action by the state of Minnesota or any of its subdivisions or agencies for treble civil damages on the portion of the fee in excess of that allowed by this provision and section 256B.433. Damages awarded must include three times the excess payments together with costs and disbursements including reasonable attorney's fees or their equivalent.

(g) Refusing, for more than 24 hours, to accept a resident returning to the same bed or a bed certified for the same level of care, in accordance with a physician's order authorizing transfer, after receiving inpatient hospital services.

For a period not to exceed 180 days, the commissioner may continue to make medical assistance payments to a nursing facility or boarding care home which is in violation of this section if extreme hardship to the residents would result. In these cases the commissioner shall issue an order requiring the nursing facility to correct the violation. The nursing facility shall have 20 days from its receipt of the order to correct the violation. If the violation is not corrected within the 20-day period the commissioner may reduce the payment rate to the nursing facility by up to 20 percent. The amount of the payment rate reduction shall be related to the severity of the violation and shall remain in effect until the violation is corrected. The nursing facility or boarding care home may appeal the commissioner's action pursuant to the provisions of chapter 14 pertaining to contested cases. An appeal shall be considered timely if written notice of appeal is received by the commissioner within 20 days of notice of the commissioner's proposed action.

In the event that the commissioner determines that a nursing facility is not eligible for reimbursement for a resident who is eligible for medical assistance, the commissioner may authorize the nursing facility to receive reimbursement on a temporary basis until the resident can be relocated to a participating nursing facility.

Certified beds in facilities which do not allow medical assistance intake on July 1, 1984, or after shall be deemed to be decertified for purposes of section 144A.071 only.

Subd. 1a. Termination. If a nursing facility terminates its participation in the medical assistance program, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the commissioner may authorize the nursing facility to receive continued medical assistance reimbursement until medical assistance residents can be relocated to nursing facilities participating in the medical assistance program.

Subd. 1b. Exception. Notwithstanding any agreement between a nursing facility and the department of human services or the provisions of this section or section 256B.411, other than subdivision 1a, the commissioner may authorize continued medical assistance payments to a nursing facility which ceased intake of medical assistance recipients prior to July 1, 1983, and which charges private paying residents rates that exceed those permitted by subdivision 1, paragraph (a), for (i) residents who resided in the nursing facility before July 1, 1983, or (ii) residents for whom the commissioner or any predecessors of the commissioner granted a permanent individual waiver prior to October 1, 1983. Nursing facilities seeking continued medical assistance payments under this subdivision shall make the reports required under subdivision 2, except that on or after December 31, 1985, the financial statements required need not be audited by or contain the opinion of a certified public accountant or licensed public accountant, but need only be reviewed by a certified public accountant or licensed public accountant. In the event that the state is determined by the federal government to be no longer eligible for the federal share of medical assistance payments made to a nursing facility under this subdivision, the commissioner may cease medical assistance payments, under this subdivision, to that nursing facility.

Subd. 1c. Case mix rate for provider with addendum to provider agreement. A nursing facility with an addendum to its provider agreement effective beginning July 1, 1983, or September 24, 1985, shall have its payment rates established by the commissioner under this subdivision. To save medical assistance resources, for rate years beginning after July 1, 1991, the provider's payment rates shall be the payment rates established by the commissioner July 1, 1990, multiplied by a 12-month inflation factor based on the forecasted inflation between the midpoints of rate years using the inflation index applied by the commissioner to other nursing facilities.

The provider and the department of health shall complete case mix assessments under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4656, and parts 9549.0058 and 9549.0059, on only those residents receiving medical assistance. The commissioner of health may audit and verify the limited provider assessments at any time.

Subd. 2. Reporting requirements. No later than December 31 of each year, a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, including boarding care facilities, which receives medical assistance payments or other reimbursements from the state agency shall:

(a) Provide the state agency with a copy of its audited financial statements. The audited financial statements must include a balance sheet, income statement, statement of the rate or rates charged to private paying residents, statement of retained earnings, statement of cash flows, notes to the financial statements, audited applicable supplemental information, and the certified public accountant's or licensed public accountant's opinion. The examination by the certified public accountant or licensed public accountant shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as promulgated and adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Beginning with the reporting year which begins October 1, 1992, a nursing facility is no longer required to have a certified audit of its financial statements. The cost of a certified audit shall not be an allowable cost in that reporting year, nor in subsequent reporting years unless the nursing facility submits its certified audited financial statements in the manner otherwise specified in this subdivision. A nursing facility which does not submit a certified audit must submit its working trial balance;

(b) Provide the state agency with a statement of ownership for the facility;

(c) Provide the state agency with separate, audited financial statements as specified in clause (a) for every other facility owned in whole or part by an individual or entity which has an ownership interest in the facility;

(d) Upon request, provide the state agency with separate, audited financial statements as specified in clause (a) for every organization with which the facility conducts business and which is owned in whole or in part by an individual or entity which has an ownership interest in the facility;

(e) Provide the state agency with copies of leases, purchase agreements, and other documents related to the lease or purchase of the nursing facility;

(f) Upon request, provide the state agency with copies of leases, purchase agreements, and other documents related to the acquisition of equipment, goods, and services which are claimed as allowable costs; and

(g) Permit access by the state agency to the certified public accountant's and licensed public accountant's audit workpapers which support the audited financial statements required in clauses (a), (c), and (d).

Documents or information provided to the state agency pursuant to this subdivision shall be public. If the requirements of clauses (a) to (g) are not met, the reimbursement rate may be reduced to 80 percent of the rate in effect on the first day of the fourth calendar month after the close of the reporting year, and the reduction shall continue until the requirements are met.

Both nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded must maintain statistical and accounting records in sufficient detail to support information contained in the facility's cost report for at least six years, including the year following the submission of the cost report. For computerized accounting systems, the records must include copies of electronically generated media such as magnetic discs and tapes.

Subd. 3. Incomplete or inaccurate reports. The commissioner may reject any annual cost report filed by a nursing facility pursuant to this chapter if the commissioner determines that the report or the information required in subdivision 2, clause (a) has been filed in a form that is incomplete or inaccurate. In the event that a report is rejected pursuant to this subdivision, the commissioner shall reduce the reimbursement rate to a nursing facility to 80 percent of its most recently established rate until the information is completely and accurately filed. The reinstatement of the total reimbursement rate is retroactive.

Subd. 3a. Audit adjustments. If the commissioner requests supporting documentation during an audit for an item of cost reported by a long-term care facility, and the long-term care facility's response does not adequately document the item of cost, the commissioner may make reasoned assumptions considered appropriate in the absence of the requested documentation to reasonably establish a payment rate rather than disallow the entire item of cost. This provision shall not diminish the long-term care facility's appeal rights.

Subd. 4. Extensions. The commissioner may grant up to a 15-day extension of the reporting deadline to a nursing facility for good cause. To receive such an extension, a nursing facility shall submit a written request by December 1. The commissioner will notify the nursing facility of the decision by December 15. Between December 1 and December 31, the nursing facility may request a reporting extension for good cause by telephone and followed by a written request.

Subd. 5. False reports. If a nursing facility knowingly supplies inaccurate or false information in a required report that results in an overpayment, the commissioner shall:

(a) immediately adjust the nursing facility's payment rate to recover the entire overpayment within the rate year; or

(b) terminate the commissioner's agreement with the nursing facility; or

(c) prosecute under applicable state or federal law; or

(d) use any combination of the foregoing actions.

Subd. 6. Medicare certification. (a) Definition. For purposes of this subdivision, "nursing facility" means a nursing facility that is certified as a skilled nursing facility or, after September 30, 1990, a nursing facility licensed under chapter 144A that is certified as a nursing facility.

(b) Medicare participation required. All nursing facilities shall participate in Medicare part A and part B unless, after submitting an application, Medicare certification is denied by the federal health care financing administration. Medicare review shall be conducted at the time of the annual medical assistance review. Charges for Medicare-covered services provided to residents who are simultaneously eligible for medical assistance and Medicare must be billed to Medicare part A or part B before billing medical assistance. Medical assistance may be billed only for charges not reimbursed by Medicare.

(c) After September 30, 1990. After September 30, 1990, a nursing facility satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) if at least 50 percent of the facility's beds certified as nursing facility beds under the medical assistance program are Medicare certified.

(d) Conflict with Medicare distinct part requirements. At the request of a facility, the commissioner of human services may reduce the 50 percent Medicare participation requirement in paragraph (c) to no less than 20 percent if the commissioner of health determines that, due to the facility's physical plant configuration, the facility cannot satisfy Medicare distinct part requirements at the 50 percent certification level. To receive a reduction in the participation requirement, a facility must demonstrate that the reduction will not adversely affect access of Medicare-eligible residents to Medicare-certified beds.

(e) Institutions for mental disease. The commissioner may grant exceptions to the requirements of paragraph (b) for nursing facilities that are designated as institutions for mental disease.

(f) Notice of rights. The commissioner shall inform recipients of their rights under this subdivision and section 144.651, subdivision 29.

Subd. 7. Refund of excess charges. Any nursing facility which has charged a resident a rate for a case-mix classification upon admission which is in excess of the rate for the case-mix classification established by the commissioner of health and effective on the date of admission, must refund the amount of charge in excess of the rate for the case-mix classification established by the commissioner of health and effective on the date of admission. Refunds must be credited to the next monthly billing or refunded within 15 days of receipt of the classification notice from the department of health. Failure to refund the excess charge shall be considered to be a violation of this section.

Subd. 8. Notification to a spouse. When a private pay resident who has not yet been screened by the preadmission screening team is admitted to a nursing facility or boarding care facility, the nursing facility or boarding care facility must notify the resident and the resident's spouse of the following:

(1) their right to retain certain resources under sections 256B.0575, 256B.058, 256B.059, 256B.0595, and 256B.14, subdivision 2; and

(2) that the federal Medicare hospital insurance benefits program covers posthospital extended care services in a qualified skilled nursing facility for up to 150 days and that there are several limitations on this benefit. The resident and the resident's family must be informed about all mechanisms to appeal limitations imposed under this federal benefit program.

This notice may be included in the nursing facility's or boarding care facility's admission agreement and must clearly explain what resources the resident and spouse may retain if the resident applies for medical assistance. The department of human services must notify nursing facilities and boarding care facilities of changes in the determination of medical assistance eligibility that relate to resources retained by a resident and the resident's spouse.

The preadmission screening team has primary responsibility for informing all private pay applicants to a nursing facility or boarding care facility of the resources the resident and spouse may retain.

Subd. 9. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

HIST: 1976 c 282 s 8; 1977 c 309 s 1; 1977 c 326 s 17; 1978 c 674 s 28; 1983 c 199 s 14; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 641 s 23; 1Sp1985 c 3 s 31; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 50-52; 1986 c 420 s 11,12; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 364 s 1; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 94; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 80-82; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 74,75; 1990 c 599 s 2; 1991 c 199 art 2 s 1; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 6; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 108-113,136; 1993 c 339 s 21; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 103,104; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 26-29; art 4 s 67

256B.49 Chronically ill children and disabled persons; home and community-based waiver study and application.

Subdivision 1. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 4. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 5. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 7. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 8. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 9. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 10. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 76

Subd. 11. Authority. (a) The commissioner is authorized to apply for home and community-based service waivers, as authorized under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act to serve persons under the age of 65 who are determined to require the level of care provided in a nursing home and persons who require the level of care provided in a hospital. The commissioner shall apply for the home and community-based waivers in order to:

(i) promote the support of persons with disabilities in the most integrated settings;

(ii) expand the availability of services for persons who are eligible for medical assistance;

(iii) promote cost-effective options to institutional care; and

(iv) obtain federal financial participation.

(b) The provision of waivered services to medical assistance recipients with disabilities shall comply with the requirements outlined in the federally approved applications for home and community-based services and subsequent amendments, including provision of services according to a service plan designed to meet the needs of the individual. For purposes of this section, the approved home and community-based application is considered the necessary federal requirement.

(c) The commissioner shall provide interested persons serving on agency advisory committees and task forces, and others upon request, with notice of, and an opportunity to comment on, any changes or amendments to the federally approved applications for home and community-based waivers, prior to their submission to the federal health care financing administration.

(d) The commissioner shall seek approval, as authorized under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, to allow medical assistance eligibility under this section for children under age 21 without deeming of parental income or assets.

(e) The commissioner shall seek approval, as authorized under section 1915(c) of the Social Act, to allow medical assistance eligibility under this section for individuals under age 65 without deeming the spouse's income or assets.

Subd. 12. Informed choice. Persons who are determined likely to require the level of care provided in a nursing facility or hospital shall be informed of the home and community-based support alternatives to the provision of inpatient hospital services or nursing facility services. Each person must be given the choice of either institutional or home and community-based services using the provisions described in section 256B.77, subdivision 2, paragraph (p).

Subd. 13. Case management. (a) Each recipient of a home and community-based waiver shall be provided case management services by qualified vendors as described in the federally approved waiver application. The case management service activities provided will include:

(1) assessing the needs of the individual within 20 working days of a recipient's request;

(2) developing the written individual service plan within ten working days after the assessment is completed;

(3) informing the recipient or the recipient's legal guardian or conservator of service options;

(4) assisting the recipient in the identification of potential service providers;

(5) assisting the recipient to access services;

(6) coordinating, evaluating, and monitoring of the services identified in the service plan;

(7) completing the annual reviews of the service plan; and

(8) informing the recipient or legal representative of the right to have assessments completed and service plans developed within specified time periods, and to appeal county action or inaction under section 256.045, subdivision 3.

(b) The case manager may delegate certain aspects of the case management service activities to another individual provided there is oversight by the case manager. The case manager may not delegate those aspects which require professional judgment including assessments, reassessments, and care plan development.

Subd. 14. Assessment and reassessment. (a) Assessments of each recipient's strengths, informal support systems, and need for services shall be completed within 20 working days of the recipient's request. Reassessment of each recipient's strengths, support systems, and need for services shall be conducted at least every 12 months and at other times when there has been a significant change in the recipient's functioning.

(b) Persons with mental retardation or a related condition who apply for services under the nursing facility level waiver programs shall be screened for the appropriate level of care according to section 256B.092.

(c) Recipients who are found eligible for home and community-based services under this section before their 65th birthday may remain eligible for these services after their 65th birthday if they continue to meet all other eligibility factors.

Subd. 15. Individualized service plan. Each recipient of home and community-based waivered services shall be provided a copy of the written service plan which:

(1) is developed and signed by the recipient within ten working days of the completion of the assessment;

(2) meets the assessed needs of the recipient;

(3) reasonably ensures the health and safety of the recipient;

(4) promotes independence;

(5) allows for services to be provided in the most integrated settings; and

(6) provides for an informed choice, as defined in section 256B.77, subdivision 2, paragraph (p), of service and support providers.

Subd. 16. Services and supports. (a) Services and supports included in the home and community-based waivers for persons with disabilities shall meet the requirements set out in United States Code, title 42, section 1396n. The services and supports, which are offered as alternatives to institutional care, shall promote consumer choice, community inclusion, self-sufficiency, and self-determination.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2003, the commissioner shall simplify and improve access to home and community-based waivered services, to the extent possible, through the establishment of a common service menu that is available to eligible recipients regardless of age, disability type, or waiver program.

(c) Consumer directed community support services shall be offered as an option to all persons eligible for services under subdivision 11, by January 1, 2002.

(d) Services and supports shall be arranged and provided consistent with individualized written plans of care for eligible waiver recipients.

(e) The state of Minnesota and county agencies that administer home and community-based waivered services for persons with disabilities, shall not be liable for damages, injuries, or liabilities sustained through the purchase of supports by the individual, the individual's family, legal representative, or the authorized representative with funds received through the consumer-directed community support service under this section. Liabilities include but are not limited to: workers' compensation liability, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), or the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA).

Subd. 17. Cost of services and supports. (a) The commissioner shall ensure that the average per capita expenditures estimated in any fiscal year for home and community-based waiver recipients does not exceed the average per capita expenditures that would have been made to provide institutional services for recipients in the absence of the waiver.

(b) The commissioner shall implement on January 1, 2002, one or more aggregate, need-based methods for allocating to local agencies the home and community-based waivered service resources available to support recipients with disabilities in need of the level of care provided in a nursing facility or a hospital. The commissioner shall allocate resources to single counties and county partnerships in a manner that reflects consideration of:

(1) an incentive-based payment process for achieving outcomes;

(2) the need for a state-level risk pool;

(3) the need for retention of management responsibility at the state agency level; and

(4) a phase-in strategy as appropriate.

(c) Until the allocation methods described in paragraph (b) are implemented, the annual allowable reimbursement level of home and community-based waiver services shall be the greater of:

(1) the statewide average payment amount which the recipient is assigned under the waiver reimbursement system in place on June 30, 2001, modified by the percentage of any provider rate increase appropriated for home and community-based services; or

(2) an amount approved by the commissioner based on the recipient's extraordinary needs that cannot be met within the current allowable reimbursement level. The increased reimbursement level must be necessary to allow the recipient to be discharged from an institution or to prevent imminent placement in an institution. The additional reimbursement may be used to secure environmental modifications; assistive technology and equipment; and increased costs for supervision, training, and support services necessary to address the recipient's extraordinary needs. The commissioner may approve an increased reimbursement level for up to one year of the recipient's relocation from an institution or up to six months of a determination that a current waiver recipient is at imminent risk of being placed in an institution.

(d) Beginning July 1, 2001, medically necessary private duty nursing services will be authorized under this section as complex and regular care according to section 256B.0627. The rate established by the commissioner for registered nurse or licensed practical nurse services under any home and community-based waiver as of January 1, 2001, shall not be reduced.

Subd. 18. Payments. The commissioner shall reimburse approved vendors from the medical assistance account for the costs of providing home and community-based services to eligible recipients using the invoice processing procedures of the Medicaid management information system (MMIS). Recipients will be screened and authorized for services according to the federally approved waiver application and its subsequent amendments.

Subd. 19. Health and welfare. The commissioner of human services shall take the necessary safeguards to protect the health and welfare of individuals provided services under the waiver.

Subd. 20. Traumatic brain injury and related conditions. The commissioner shall seek to amend the traumatic brain injury waiver to include, as eligible persons, individuals with an acquired or degenerative disease diagnosis where cognitive impairment is present, such as multiple sclerosis.

HIST: 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 24,58; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 76; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 61; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 114; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 105; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 87-89; 1996 c 451 art 5 s 29-31; 1997 c 7 art 5 s 31; 1997 c 203 art 4 s 47; art 7 s 24; 1999 c 156 s 1; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 3 s 58-67

256B.491 Waivered services.

Subdivision 1. Study. The commissioner of human services shall prepare a study on the characteristics of providers who have the potential for offering home and community-based services under federal waivers authorized by United States Code, title 42, sections 1396 to 1396p. The study shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) An analysis of the characteristics of providers presently involved in offering services to the elderly, chronically ill children, disabled persons under age 65, and mentally retarded persons;

(b) The potential for conversion to waivered services of facilities which currently provide services to the disability groups enumerated in clause (a);

(c) Proposals for system redesign to include (1) profiles of the types of providers best able, within reasonable fiscal constraints, to serve the needs of clients and to fulfill public policy goals in provision of waivered services, (2) methods for limiting concentration of facilities providing services under waiver, (3) methods for ensuring that services are provided by the widest array of provider groups.

The commissioner shall present the study to the legislature no later than March 15, 1985.

Subd. 2. Control limited. Until July 1, 1985, no one person shall control the delivery of waivered services to more than 50 persons receiving waivered services as authorized by section 256B.501. For the purposes of this section the following terms have the meanings given them:

(1) A "person" is an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust, an unincorporated organization, a subsidiary of an organization, and an affiliate. A "person" does not include any governmental authority, agency or body.

(2) An "affiliate" is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with another person.

(3) "Control" including the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and "under the common control with" is the possession, direct or indirect, or the power to direct or cause the direction of the management, operations or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, through consultation or otherwise.

Subd. 3. Waivered services; salary adjustments. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1991, the commissioner of human services shall increase the statewide reimbursement rates for home and community-based waivered services for persons with developmental disabilities to reflect a three percent increase in salaries, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits of personnel below top management employed by agencies under contract with the county board to provide these services. The specific rate increase made available to county boards shall be calculated based on the estimated portion of the fiscal year 1991 reimbursement rate that is attributable to these costs. County boards shall verify in writing to the commissioner that each waivered service provider has complied with this requirement. If a county board determines that a waivered service provider has not complied with this requirement for a specific contract period, the county board shall reduce the provider's payment rates for the next contract period to reflect the amount of money not spent appropriately. The commissioner shall modify reporting requirements for vendors and counties as necessary to monitor compliance with this provision.

HIST: 1984 c 641 s 24; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 62

256B.495 Nursing facility receivership fees.

Subdivision 1. Payment of receivership fees. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of health may establish a receivership fee that exceeds a nursing facility payment rate when the commissioner of health determines a nursing facility is subject to the receivership provisions under section 144A.14 or 144A.15. In establishing the receivership fee, the commissioner must reduce the receiver's requested receivership fee by amounts that the commissioner determines are included in the nursing facility's payment rate and that can be used to cover part or all of the receivership fee. Amounts that can be used to reduce the receivership fee shall be determined by reallocating facility staff or costs that were formerly paid by the nursing facility before the receivership and are no longer required to be paid. The amounts may include any efficiency incentive, allowance, and other amounts not specifically required to be paid for expenditures of the nursing facility.

If the receivership fee cannot be covered by amounts in the nursing facility's payment rate, a receivership fee shall be set according to paragraphs (a) and (b) and payment shall be according to paragraphs (c) to (e).

(a) The receivership fee per diem shall be determined by dividing the annual receivership fee by the nursing facility's resident days from the most recent cost report for which the commissioner has established a payment rate or the estimated resident days in the projected receivership fee period.

(b) The receivership fee per diem shall be added to the nursing facility's payment rate.

(c) Notification of the payment rate increase must meet the requirements of section 256B.47, subdivision 2.

(d) The payment rate in paragraph (b) for a nursing facility shall be effective the first day of the month following the receiver's compliance with the notice conditions in paragraph (c).

(e) The commissioner may elect to make a lump sum payment of a portion of the receivership fee to the receiver or managing agent. In this case, the commissioner and the receiver or managing agent shall agree to a repayment plan. Regardless of whether the commissioner makes a lump sum payment under this paragraph, the provisions of paragraphs (a) to (d) and subdivision 2 also apply.

Subd. 1a. Receivership payment rate adjustment. Upon receiving a recommendation from the commissioner of health for a review of rates under section 144A.154, the commissioner may grant an adjustment to the nursing home's payment rate. The commissioner shall review the recommendation of the commissioner of health, together with the nursing home's cost report to determine whether or not the deficiency or need can be corrected or met by reallocating nursing home staff, costs, revenues, or other resources including any investments, efficiency incentives, or allowances. If the commissioner determines that the deficiency cannot be corrected or the need cannot be met, the commissioner shall determine the payment rate adjustment by dividing the additional annual costs established during the commissioner's review by the nursing home's actual resident days from the most recent desk-audited cost report.

Subd. 2. Deduction of additional receivership payments upon termination of receivership. If the commissioner has established a receivership fee per diem for a nursing facility in receivership under subdivision 1 or a payment rate adjustment under subdivision 1a, the commissioner must deduct these receivership payments according to paragraphs (a) to (c).

(a) The total receivership fee payments shall be the receivership per diem plus the payment rate adjustment multiplied by the number of resident days for the period of the receivership. If actual resident days for the receivership period are not made available within two weeks of the commissioner's written request, the commissioner shall compute the resident days by prorating the facility's resident days based on the number of calendar days from each portion of the nursing facility's reporting years covered by the receivership period.

(b) The amount determined in paragraph (a) must be divided by the nursing facility's resident days for the reporting year in which the receivership period ends.

(c) The per diem amount in paragraph (b) shall be subtracted from the nursing facility's operating cost payment rate for the rate year following the reporting year in which the receivership period ends. This provision applies whether or not there is a sale or transfer of the nursing facility, unless the provisions of subdivision 5 apply.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1992 c 513 art 8 s 59

Subd. 4. Downsizing and closing nursing facilities. (a) If the nursing facility is subject to a downsizing to closure process during the period of receivership, the commissioner may reestablish the nursing facility's payment rate. The payment rate shall be established based on the nursing facility's budgeted operating costs, the receivership property related costs, and the management fee costs for the receivership period divided by the facility's estimated resident days for the same period. The commissioner of health and the commissioner shall make every effort to first facilitate the transfer of private paying residents to alternate service sites prior to the effective date of the payment rate. The cost limits and the case mix provisions in the rate setting system shall not apply during the portion of the receivership period over which the nursing facility downsizes to closure.

(b) Any payment rate adjustment under this subdivision must meet the conditions in section 256B.47, subdivision 2, and shall remain in effect until the receivership ends, or until another date the commissioner sets.

Subd. 5. Sale or transfer of a nursing facility in receivership after closure. (a) Upon the subsequent sale or transfer of a nursing facility in receivership, the commissioner must recover any amounts paid through payment rate adjustments under subdivision 4 which exceed the normal cost of operating the nursing facility. Examples of costs in excess of the normal cost of operating the nursing facility include the managing agent's fee, directly identifiable costs of the managing agent, bonuses paid to employees for their continued employment during the downsizing to closure of the nursing facility, prereceivership expenditures paid by the receiver, additional professional services such as accountants, psychologists, and dietitians, and other similar costs incurred by the receiver to complete receivership. The buyer or transferee shall repay this amount to the commissioner within 60 days after the commissioner notifies the buyer or transferee of the obligation to repay. The buyer or transferee must also repay the private-pay resident the amount the private-pay resident paid through payment rate adjustment.

(b) If a nursing facility with payment rates subject to subdivision 4, paragraph (a), is later sold while the nursing facility is in receivership, the payment rates in effect prior to the receivership shall be the new owner's payment rates. Those payment rates shall continue to be in effect until the rate year following the reporting period ending on September 30 for the new owner. The reporting period shall, whenever possible, be at least five consecutive months. If the reporting period is less than five months but more than three months, the nursing facility's resident days for the last two months of the reporting period must be annualized over the reporting period for the purpose of computing the payment rate for the rate year following the reporting period.

HIST: 1989 c 282 art 3 s 83; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 77; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 115-119,136

256B.50 Appeals.

Subdivision 1. Scope. A provider may appeal from a determination of a payment rate established pursuant to this chapter and reimbursement rules of the commissioner if the appeal, if successful, would result in a change to the provider's payment rate or to the calculation of maximum charges to therapy vendors as provided by section 256B.433, subdivision 3. Appeals must be filed in accordance with procedures in this section. This section does not apply to a request from a resident or long-term care facility for reconsideration of the classification of a resident under section 144.0722.

Subd. 1a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(a) "Determination of a payment rate" means the process by which the commissioner establishes the payment rate paid to a provider pursuant to this chapter, including determinations made in desk audit, field audit, or pursuant to an amendment filed by the provider.

(b) "Provider" means a nursing facility as defined in section 256B.421, subdivision 7, or a facility as defined in section 256B.501, subdivision 1.

(c) "Reimbursement rules" means Minnesota Rules, parts 9510.0010 to 9510.0480, 9510.0500 to 9510.0890, and rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to sections 256B.41 and 256B.501, subdivision 3.

Subd. 1b. Filing an appeal. To appeal, the provider shall file with the commissioner a written notice of appeal; the appeal must be postmarked or received by the commissioner within 60 days of the date the determination of the payment rate was mailed or personally received by a provider, whichever is earlier. The notice of appeal must specify each disputed item; the reason for the dispute; the total dollar amount in dispute for each separate disallowance, allocation, or adjustment of each cost item or part of a cost item; the computation that the provider believes is correct; the authority in statute or rule upon which the provider relies for each disputed item; the name and address of the person or firm with whom contacts may be made regarding the appeal; and other information required by the commissioner.

Subd. 1c. Contested case procedures appeals review process. (a) Effective for desk audit appeals for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1997, and for field audit appeals filed on or after that date, the commissioner shall review appeals and issue a written appeal determination on each appealed item within one year of the due date of the appeal. Upon mutual agreement, the commissioner and the provider may extend the time for issuing a determination for a specified period. The commissioner shall notify the provider by first class mail of the appeal determination. The appeal determination takes effect 30 days following the date of issuance specified in the determination.

(b) In reviewing the appeal, the commissioner may request additional written or oral information from the provider. The provider has the right to present information by telephone, in writing, or in person concerning the appeal to the commissioner prior to the issuance of the appeal determination within six months of the date the appeal was received by the commissioner. Written requests for conferences must be submitted separately from the appeal letter. Statements made during the review process are not admissible in a contested case hearing absent an express stipulation by the parties to the contested case.

(c) For an appeal item on which the provider disagrees with the appeal determination, the provider may file with the commissioner a written demand for a contested case hearing to determine the proper resolution of specified appeal items. The demand must be postmarked or received by the commissioner within 30 days of the date of issuance specified in the determination. A contested case demand for an appeal item nullifies the written appeal determination issued by the commissioner for that appeal item. The commissioner shall refer any contested case demand to the office of the attorney general.

(d) A contested case hearing must be heard by an administrative law judge according to sections 14.48 to 14.56. In any proceeding under this section, the appealing party must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the determination of a payment rate is incorrect.

(e) Regardless of any rate appeal, the rate established must be the rate paid and must remain in effect until final resolution of the appeal or subsequent desk or field audit adjustment.

(f) To challenge the validity of rules established by the commissioner pursuant to this section and sections 256B.41, 256B.421, 256B.431, 256B.47, 256B.48, 256B.501, and 256B.502, a provider shall comply with section 14.44.

(g) The commissioner has discretion to issue to the provider a proposed resolution for specified appeal items upon a request from the provider filed separately from the notice of appeal. The proposed resolution is final upon written acceptance by the provider within 30 days of the date the proposed resolution was mailed to or personally received by the provider, whichever is earlier.

(h) The commissioner may use the procedures described in this subdivision to resolve appeals filed prior to July 1, 1997.

Subd. 1d. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 1e. Attorney's fees and costs. (a) Notwithstanding section 15.472, paragraph (a), for an issue appealed under subdivision 1, the prevailing party in a contested case proceeding or, if appealed, in subsequent judicial review, must be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in litigating the appeal, if the prevailing party shows that the position of the opposing party was not substantially justified. The procedures for awarding fees and costs set forth in section 15.474 must be followed in determining the prevailing party's fees and costs except as otherwise provided in this subdivision. For purposes of this subdivision, "costs" means subpoena fees and mileage, transcript costs, court reporter fees, witness fees, postage and delivery costs, photocopying and printing costs, amounts charged the commissioner by the office of administrative hearings, and direct administrative costs of the department; and "substantially justified" means that a position had a reasonable basis in law and fact, based on the totality of the circumstances prior to and during the contested case proceeding and subsequent review.

(b) When an award is made to the department under this subdivision, attorney fees must be calculated at the cost to the department. When an award is made to a provider under this subdivision, attorney fees must be calculated at the rate charged to the provider except that attorney fees awarded must be the lesser of the attorney's normal hourly fee or $100 per hour.

(c) In contested case proceedings involving more than one issue, the administrative law judge shall determine what portion of each party's attorney fees and costs is related to the issue or issues on which it prevailed and for which it is entitled to an award. In making that determination, the administrative law judge shall consider the amount of time spent on each issue, the precedential value of the issue, the complexity of the issue, and other factors deemed appropriate by the administrative law judge.

(d) When the department prevails on an issue involving more than one provider, the administrative law judge shall allocate the total amount of any award for attorney fees and costs among the providers. In determining the allocation, the administrative law judge shall consider each provider's monetary interest in the issue and other factors deemed appropriate by the administrative law judge.

(e) Attorney fees and costs awarded to the department for proceedings under this subdivision must not be reported or treated as allowable costs on the provider's cost report.

(f) Fees and costs awarded to a provider for proceedings under this subdivision must be reimbursed to them within 120 days of the final decision on the award of attorney fees and costs.

(g) If the provider fails to pay the awarded attorney fees and costs within 120 days of the final decision on the award of attorney fees and costs, the department may collect the amount due through any method available to it for the collection of medical assistance overpayments to providers. Interest charges must be assessed on balances outstanding after 120 days of the final decision on the award of attorney fees and costs. The annual interest rate charged must be the rate charged by the commissioner of revenue for late payment of taxes that is in effect on the 121st day after the final decision on the award of attorney fees and costs.

(h) Amounts collected by the commissioner pursuant to this subdivision must be deemed to be recoveries pursuant to section 256.01, subdivision 2, clause (15).

(i) This subdivision applies to all contested case proceedings set on for hearing by the commissioner on or after April 29, 1988, regardless of the date the appeal was filed.

Subd. 1f. Legal and related expenses. Legal and related expenses for unresolved challenges to decisions by governmental agencies shall be separately identified and explained on the provider's cost report for each year in which the expenses are incurred. When the challenge is resolved in favor of the governmental agency, the provider shall notify the department of the extent to which its challenge was unsuccessful or the cost report filed for the reporting year in which the challenge was resolved. In addition, the provider shall inform the department of the years in which it claimed legal and related expenses and the amount of the expenses claimed in each year relating to the unsuccessful challenge. The department shall reduce the provider's medical assistance rate in the subsequent rate year by the total amount claimed by the provider for legal and related expenses incurred in an unsuccessful challenge to a decision by a governmental agency.

Subd. 1g. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 1h. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1997 c 107 s 19

Subd. 3. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

HIST: 1983 c 199 s 15; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 641 s 21; 1985 c 248 s 69; 1Sp1985 c 3 s 32; 1987 c 403 art 4 s 12; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 163-168; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 78,79; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 63; 1992 c 426 s 1; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 120,121,136; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 106-108; 1997 c 107 s 9-12; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 30; 2001 c 7 s 51

256B.501 Rates for community-based services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meaning given them.

(a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.

(b) "Facility" means a facility licensed as a mental retardation residential facility under section 252.28, licensed as a supervised living facility under chapter 144, and certified as an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. The term does not include a state regional treatment center.

(c) "Waivered service" means home or community-based service authorized under United States Code, title 42, section 1396n(c), as amended through December 31, 1987, and defined in the Minnesota state plan for the provision of medical assistance services. Waivered services include, at a minimum, case management, family training and support, developmental training homes, supervised living arrangements, semi-independent living services, respite care, and training and habilitation services.

Subd. 2. Authority. The commissioner shall establish procedures and rules for determining rates for care of residents of intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions which qualify as providers of medical assistance and waivered services. The procedures shall specify the costs that are allowable for payment through medical assistance. The commissioner may use experts from outside the department in the establishment of the procedures.

Subd. 3. Rates for intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. The commissioner shall establish, by rule, procedures for determining rates for care of residents of intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. In developing the procedures, the commissioner shall include:

(a) cost containment measures that assure efficient and prudent management of capital assets and operating cost increases which do not exceed increases in other sections of the economy;

(b) limits on the amounts of reimbursement for property and new facilities;

(c) requirements to ensure that the accounting practices of the facilities conform to generally accepted accounting principles;

(d) incentives to reward accumulation of equity;

(e) rule revisions which:

(1) combine the program, maintenance, and administrative operating cost categories, and professional liability and real estate insurance expenses into one general operating cost category;

(2) eliminate the maintenance and administrative operating cost category limits and account for disallowances under the rule existing on July 1, 1995, in the revised rule. If this provision is later invalidated, the total administrative cost disallowance shall be deducted from economical facility payments in clause (3);

(3) establish an economical facility incentive that rewards facilities that provide all appropriate services in a cost-effective manner and penalizes reductions of either direct service wages or standardized hours of care per resident;

(4) establish a best practices award system that is based on outcome measures and that rewards quality, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and staff retention;

(5) establish compensation limits for employees on the basis of full-time employment and the developmentally disabled client base of a provider group or facility. The commissioner may consider the inclusion of hold harmless provisions;

(6) establish overall limits on a high cost facility's general operating costs. The commissioner shall consider groupings of facilities that account for a significant variation in cost. The commissioner may differentiate in the application of these limits between high and very high cost facilities. The limits, once established, shall be indexed for inflation and may be rebased by the commissioner;

(7) utilize the client assessment information obtained from the application of the provisions in subdivision 3g for the revisions in clauses (3), (4), and (6); and

(8) develop cost allocation principles which are based on facility expenses; and

(f) appeals procedures that satisfy the requirements of section 256B.50.

Subd. 3a. Interim rates. For rate years beginning October 1, 1988, and October 1, 1989, the commissioner shall establish an interim program operating cost payment rate for care of residents in intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation.

(a) For the rate year beginning October 1, 1988, the interim program operating cost payment rate is the greater of the facility's 1987 reporting year allowable program operating costs per resident day increased by the composite forecasted index in subdivision 3c, or the facility's January 1, 1988, program operating cost payment rate increased by the composite forecasted index in subdivision 3c, except that the composite forecasted index is established based on the midpoint of the period January 1, 1988, to September 30, 1988, to the midpoint of the following rate year.

(b) For the rate year beginning October 1, 1989, the interim program operating cost payment rate is the greater of the facility's 1988 reporting year allowable program operating costs per resident day increased by the composite forecasted index in subdivision 3c, or the facility's October 1, 1988, program operating cost payment rate increased by the composite forecasted index in subdivision 3c, except that the composite forecasted index is established based on the midpoint of the rate year beginning October 1, 1988, to the midpoint of the following rate year.

Subd. 3b. Settle-up of costs. The facility's program operating costs are subject to a retroactive settle-up for the 1988 and 1989 reporting years, determined by the following method:

(a) If a facility's program operating costs, including one-time adjustment program operating costs for the facility's 1988 or 1989 reporting year, are less than 98 percent of the facility's total program operating cost payments for facilities with 20 or fewer licensed beds, or less than 99 percent of the facility's total program operating cost payments for facilities with more than 20 licensed beds, then the facility must repay the difference to the state according to the desk audit adjustment procedures in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0041, subpart 13, items B to E. For the purpose of determining the retroactive settle-up amounts, the facility's total program operating cost payments must be computed by multiplying the facility's program operating cost payment rates, including one-time program operating cost adjustment rates for those reporting years, by the prorated resident days that correspond to those program operating cost payment rates paid during those reporting years.

(b) If a facility's program operating costs, including one-time adjustment program operating costs for the facility's 1989 reporting year are between 102 and 105 percent of the amount computed by multiplying the facility's program operating cost payment rates, including one-time program operating cost adjustment rates for those reporting years, by the prorated resident days that correspond to those program operating cost payment rates paid during that reporting year, the state must repay the difference to the facility according to the desk audit adjustment procedures in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0041, subpart 13, items B to E.

A facility's retroactive settle-up must be calculated by October 1, 1990.

Subd. 3c. Forecasted index. For rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1990, the commissioner shall index a facility's allowable operating costs in the program, maintenance, and administrative operating cost categories by using Data Resources, Inc., forecast for change in the Consumer Price Index-All Items (U.S. city average) (CPI-U). The commissioner shall use the indices as forecasted by Data Resources, Inc., in the first quarter of the calendar year in which the rate year begins. For fiscal years beginning after June 30, 1993, the commissioner shall not provide automatic inflation adjustments for intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation. The commissioner of finance shall include annual inflation adjustments in operating costs for intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation and related conditions as a budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11. The commissioner shall use the Consumer Price Index-All Items (United States city average) (CPI-U) as forecasted by Data Resources, Inc., to take into account economic trends and conditions for changes in facility allowable historical general operating costs and limits. The forecasted index shall be established for allowable historical general operating costs as follows:

(1) the CPI-U forecasted index for allowable historical general operating costs shall be determined in the first quarter of the calendar year in which the rate year begins and shall be based on the 21-month period from the midpoint of the facility's reporting year to the midpoint of the rate year following the reporting year; and

(2) for rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1995, the CPI-U forecasted index for the overall operating cost limits and for the individual compensation limit shall be determined in the first quarter of the calendar year in which the rate year begins and shall be based on the 12-month period between the midpoints of the two reporting years preceding the rate year.

Subd. 3d. Repealed, 1995 c 207 art 7 s 43

Subd. 3e. Repealed, 1995 c 207 art 7 s 43

Subd. 3f. Repealed, 1995 c 207 art 7 s 43

Subd. 3g. Repealed, 1999 c 245 art 3 s 51

Subd. 3h. Waiving interest charges. The commissioner may waive interest charges on overpayments incurred by intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation and related conditions for the period October 1, 1987, to February 29, 1988, if the overpayments resulted from the continuation of the desk audit rate in effect on September 30, 1987, through the period.

Subd. 3i. Scope. Subdivisions 3a to 3e and 3h do not apply to facilities whose payment rates are governed by Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0075.

Subd. 3j. Rules. The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this section. The commissioner shall consult with provider groups, advocates, and legislators to develop these rules.

Subd. 3k. Experimental project. The commissioner of human services may conduct and administer experimental projects to determine the effects of competency-based wage adjustments for direct-care staff on the quality of care and active treatment for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. The commissioner shall authorize one project under the following conditions:

(a) One service provider will participate in the project.

(b) The vendor must have an existing competency-based training curriculum and a proposed salary schedule that is coordinated with the training package.

(c) The University of Minnesota affiliated programs must approve the content of the training package and assist the vendor in studying the impact on service delivery and outcomes for residents under a competency-based salary structure. The study and its conclusions must be presented to the commissioner at the conclusion of the project.

(d) The project will last no more than 21 months from its inception.

(e) The project will be funded by Title XIX, medical assistance and the costs incurred shall be allowable program operating costs for future rate years under Minnesota Rules, parts 9553.0010 to 9553.0080. The project's total annual cost must not exceed $49,500. The commissioner shall establish an adjustment to the selected facility's per diem by dividing the $49,500 by the facility's actual resident days for the reporting year ending December 31, 1988. The facility's experimental training project per diem shall be effective on October 1, 1989, and shall remain in effect for the 21-month period ending June 30, 1991.

(f) Only service vendors who have submitted a determination of need pursuant to Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0015 to 9525.0165, and Minnesota Statutes, section 252.28, requesting the competency-based training program cost increase are eligible. Furthermore, they are only eligible if their determination of need was approved prior to January 1, 1989, and funds were not available to implement the plan.

Subd. 3l. Temporary payment rate provisions. If an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions located in Kandiyohi county:

(1) was sold during 1994;

(2) is unable to obtain records necessary to complete the cost report from the former operator at no cost; and

(3) delicensed two beds during that year, then the commissioner shall determine the payment rate for the period May 1, 1995, through September 30, 1996, as provided in paragraphs (a) to (c).

(a) A temporary payment rate shall be paid which is equal to the rate in effect as of April 30, 1995.

(b) The payment rate in paragraph (a) shall be subject to a retroactive downward adjustment based on the provisions in paragraph (c).

(c) The temporary payment rate shall be limited to the lesser of the payment in paragraph (a) or the payment rate calculated based on the facility's cost report for the reporting year January 1, 1995, through December 31, 1995, and the provisions of this section and the reimbursement rules in effect on June 30, 1995, except that the provisions referred to in clauses (1) to (3) shall not apply:

(1) the inflation factor in subdivision 3c;

(2) Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0050, subpart 2, items A to E; and

(3) Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0041, subpart 16.

Subd. 4. Waivered services. In establishing rates for waivered services the commissioner shall consider the need for flexibility in the provision of those services to meet individual needs identified by the screening team.

Subd. 4a. Inclusion of home care costs in waiver rates. The commissioner shall adjust the limits of the established average daily reimbursement rates for waivered services to include the cost of home care services that may be provided to waivered services recipients. This adjustment must be used to maintain or increase services and shall not be used by county agencies for inflation increases for waivered services vendors. Home care services referenced in this section are those listed in section 256B.0627, subdivision 2. The average daily reimbursement rates established in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision apply only to the combined average, daily costs of waivered and home care services and do not change home care limitations under section 256B.0627. Waivered services recipients receiving home care as of June 30, 1992, shall not have the amount of their services reduced as a result of this section.

Subd. 4b. Waiver rates and group residential housing rates. The average daily reimbursement rates established by the commissioner for waivered services shall be adjusted to include the additional costs of services eligible for waiver funding under title XIX of the Social Security Act and for which there is no group residential housing payment available as a result of the payment limitations set forth in section 256I.05, subdivision 10. The adjustment to the waiver rates shall be based on county reports of service costs that are no longer eligible for group residential housing payments. No adjustment shall be made for any amount of reported payments that prior to July 1, 1992, exceeded the group residential housing rate limits established in section 256I.05 and were reimbursed through county funds.

Subd. 4c. Access to respite care. Upon the request of a recipient receiving services under the community-based waiver for persons with mental retardation and related conditions, or the recipient's legal representative, a county agency shall screen the recipient for appropriate and necessary services and shall place the recipient on and off the waiver as needed in order to allow the recipient access to short-term care as available in an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation and related conditions.

Subd. 5. Repealed, 1987 c 403 art 5 s 22

Subd. 5a. Changes to ICF/MR reimbursement. The reimbursement rule changes in paragraphs (a) to (e) apply to Minnesota Rules, parts 9553.0010 to 9553.0080, and this section, and are effective for rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1993, unless otherwise specified.

(a) The maximum efficiency incentive shall be $1.50 per resident per day.

(b) If a facility's capital debt reduction allowance is greater than 50 cents per resident per day, that facility's capital debt reduction allowance in excess of 50 cents per resident day shall be reduced by 25 percent.

(c) Beginning with the biennial reporting year which begins January 1, 1993, a facility is no longer required to have a certified audit of its financial statements. The cost of a certified audit shall not be an allowable cost in that reporting year, nor in subsequent reporting years unless the facility submits its certified audited financial statements in the manner otherwise specified in this subdivision. A nursing facility which does not submit a certified audit must submit its working trial balance.

(d) In addition to the approved pension or profit sharing plans allowed by the reimbursement rule, the commissioner shall allow those plans specified in Internal Revenue Code, sections 403(b) and 408(k).

(e) The commissioner shall allow as workers' compensation insurance costs under this section, the costs of workers' compensation coverage obtained under the following conditions:

(1) a plan approved by the commissioner of commerce as a Minnesota group or individual self-insurance plan as provided in sections 79A.03;

(2) a plan in which:

(i) the facility, directly or indirectly, purchases workers' compensation coverage in compliance with section 176.181, subdivision 2, from an authorized insurance carrier;

(ii) a related organization to the facility reinsures the workers' compensation coverage purchased, directly or indirectly, by the facility; and

(iii) all of the conditions in clause (4) are met;

(3) a plan in which:

(i) the facility, directly or indirectly, purchases workers' compensation coverage in compliance with section 176.181, subdivision 2, from an authorized insurance carrier;

(ii) the insurance premium is calculated retrospectively, including a maximum premium limit, and paid using the paid loss retro method; and

(iii) all of the conditions in clause (4) are met;

(4) additional conditions are:

(i) the reserves for the plan are maintained in an account controlled and administered by a person which is not a related organization to the facility;

(ii) the reserves for the plan cannot be used, directly or indirectly, as collateral for debts incurred or other obligations of the facility or related organizations to the facility;

(iii) if the plan provides workers' compensation coverage for non-Minnesota facilities, the plan's cost methodology must be consistent among all facilities covered by the plan, and if reasonable, is allowed notwithstanding any reimbursement laws regarding cost allocation to the contrary;

(iv) central, affiliated, corporate, or nursing facility costs related to their administration of the plan are costs which must remain in the nursing facility's administrative cost category, and must not be allocated to other cost categories; and

(v) required security deposits, whether in the form of cash, investments, securities, assets, letters of credit, or in any other form are not allowable costs for purposes of establishing the facilities payment rate; and

(5) any costs allowed pursuant to clauses (1) to (3) are subject to the following requirements:

(i) if the facility is sold or otherwise ceases operations, the plan's reserves must be subject to an actuarially based settle-up after 36 months from the date of sale or the date on which operations ceased. The facility's medical assistance portion of the total excess plan reserves must be paid to the state within 30 days following the date on which excess plan reserves are determined;

(ii) any distribution of excess plan reserves made to or withdrawals made by the facility or a related organization are applicable credits and must be used to reduce the facility's workers' compensation insurance costs in the reporting period in which a distribution or withdrawal is received; and

(iii) if the plan is audited pursuant to the Medicare program, the facility must provide a copy of Medicare's final audit report, including attachments and exhibits, to the commissioner within 30 days of receipt by the facility or any related organization. The commissioner shall implement the audit findings associated with the plan upon receipt of Medicare's final audit report. The department's authority to implement the audit findings is independent of its authority to conduct a field audit.

Subd. 5b. ICF/MR operating cost limitation after September 30, 1995. (a) For the rate year beginning on October 1, 1995, and for rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1997, the commissioner shall limit the allowable operating cost per diems, as determined under this subdivision and the reimbursement rules, for high cost ICF's/MR. Prior to indexing each facility's operating cost per diems for inflation, the commissioner shall group the facilities into eight groups. The commissioner shall then array all facilities within each grouping by their general operating cost per service unit per diems.

(b) The commissioner shall annually review and adjust the general operating costs incurred by the facility during the reporting year preceding the rate year to determine the facility's allowable historical general operating costs. For this purpose, the term general operating costs means the facility's allowable operating costs included in the program, maintenance, and administrative operating costs categories, as well as the facility's related payroll taxes and fringe benefits, real estate insurance, and professional liability insurance. A facility's total operating cost payment rate shall be limited according to paragraphs (c) and (d) as follows:

(c) A facility's total operating cost payment rate shall be equal to its allowable historical operating cost per diems for program, maintenance, and administrative cost categories multiplied by the forecasted inflation index in subdivision 3c, clause (1), subject to the limitations in paragraph (d).

(d) For the rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1995, the commissioner shall establish maximum overall general operating cost per service unit limits for facilities according to clauses (1) to (8). Each facility's allowable historical general operating costs and client assessment information obtained from client assessments completed under subdivision 3g for the reporting year ending December 31, 1994 (the base year), shall be used for establishing the overall limits. If a facility's proportion of temporary care resident days to total resident days exceeds 80 percent, the commissioner must exempt that facility from the overall general operating cost per service unit limits in clauses (1) to (8). For this purpose, "temporary care" means care provided by a facility to a client for less than 30 consecutive resident days.

(1) The commissioner shall determine each facility's weighted service units for the reporting year by multiplying its resident days in each client classification level as established in subdivision 3g, paragraph (d), by the corresponding weights for that classification level, as established in subdivision 3g, paragraph (i), and summing the results. For the reporting year ending December 31, 1994, the commissioner shall use the service unit score computed from the client classifications determined by the Minnesota department of health's annual review, including those of clients admitted during that year.

(2) The facility's service unit score is equal to its weighted service units as computed in clause (1), divided by the facility's total resident days excluding temporary care resident days, for the reporting year.

(3) For each facility, the commissioner shall determine the facility's cost per service unit by dividing its allowable historical general operating costs for the reporting year by the facility's service unit score in clause (2) multiplied by its total resident days, or 85 percent of the facility's capacity days times its service unit score in clause (2), if the facility's occupancy is less than 85 percent of licensed capacity. If a facility reports temporary care resident days, the temporary care resident days shall be multiplied by the service unit score in clause (2), and the resulting weighted resident days shall be added to the facility's weighted service units in clause (1) prior to computing the facility's cost per service unit under this clause.

(4) The commissioner shall group facilities based on class A or class B licensure designation, number of licensed beds, and geographic location. For purposes of this grouping, facilities with six beds or less shall be designated as small facilities and facilities with more than six beds shall be designated as large facilities. If a facility has both class A and class B licensed beds, the facility shall be considered a class A facility for this purpose if the number of class A beds is more than half its total number of ICF/MR beds; otherwise the facility shall be considered a class B facility. The metropolitan geographic designation shall include Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. All other Minnesota counties shall be designated as the nonmetropolitan geographic group. These characteristics result in the following eight groupings:

(i) small class A metropolitan;

(ii) large class A metropolitan;

(iii) small class B metropolitan;

(iv) large class B metropolitan;

(v) small class A nonmetropolitan;

(vi) large class A nonmetropolitan;

(vii) small class B nonmetropolitan; and

(viii) large class B nonmetropolitan.

(5) The commissioner shall array facilities within each grouping in clause (4) by each facility's cost per service unit as determined in clause (3).

(6) In each array established under clause (5), facilities with a cost per service unit at or above the median shall be limited to the lesser of: (i) the current reporting year's cost per service unit; or (ii) the prior reporting year's allowable historical general operating cost per service unit plus the inflation factor as established in subdivision 3c, clause (2), increased by three percentage points.

(7) The overall operating cost per service unit limit for each group shall be established as follows:

(i) each array established under clause (5) shall be arrayed again after the application of clause (6);

(ii) in each array established in clause (5), two general operating cost limits shall be determined. The first cost per service unit limit shall be established at 0.5 and less than or equal to 1.0 standard deviation above the median of that array. The second cost per service unit limit shall be established at 1.0 standard deviation above the median of the array; and

(iii) the overall operating cost per service unit limits shall be indexed for inflation annually beginning with the reporting year ending December 31, 1995, using the forecasted inflation index in subdivision 3c, clause (2).

(8) Annually, facilities shall be arrayed using the method described in clauses (5) and (7). Each facility with a cost per service unit at or above its group's first cost per service unit limit, but less than the second cost per service unit limit for that group, shall be limited to 98 percent of its total operating cost per diems then add the forecasted inflation index in subdivision 3c, clause (1). Each facility with a cost per service unit at or above the second cost per service unit limit will be limited to 97 percent of its total operating cost per diems, then add the forecasted inflation index in subdivision 3c, clause (1). Facilities that have undergone a class A to class B conversion since January 1, 1990, are exempt from the limitations in this clause for six years after the completion of the conversion process.

(9) The commissioner may rebase these overall limits, using the method described in this subdivision but no more frequently than once every three years.

(e) For rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1995, the facility's efficiency incentive shall be determined as provided in the reimbursement rule.

(f) The total operating cost payment rate shall be the sum of paragraphs (c) and (e).

(g) For the rate year beginning on October 1, 1996, the commissioner shall exempt a facility from the reductions in this subdivision if the facility is involved in a bed relocation project where more than 25 percent of the facility's beds are transferred to another facility, the relocated beds are six or fewer, there is no change in the total number of ICF/MR beds for the parent organization of the facility, and the relocation is not part of an interim or settle-up rate.

Subd. 5c. Repealed, 1997 c 203 art 7 s 29

Subd. 5d. Adjustment for outreach crisis services. An ICF/MR with crisis services developed under the authority of Laws 1992, chapter 513, article 9, section 40, shall have its operating cost per diem calculated according to paragraphs (a) and (b).

(a) Effective for services rendered from April 1, 1996, to September 30, 1996, and for rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1996, the maintenance limitation in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0050, subpart 1, item A, subitem (2), shall be calculated to reflect capacity as of October 1, 1992. The maintenance limit shall be the per diem limitation otherwise in effect adjusted by the ratio of licensed capacity days as of October 1, 1992, divided by resident days in the reporting year ending December 31, 1993.

(b) Effective for rate years beginning on or after October 1, 1996, the operating cost per service unit, for purposes of the cost per service unit limit in subdivision 5b, paragraph (d), clauses (7) and (8), shall be calculated after excluding the costs directly identified to the provision of outreach crisis services and a four-bed crisis unit.

(c) The efficiency incentive paid to an ICF/MR shall not be increased as a result of this subdivision.

Subd. 5e. Rate adjustment for care provided to a medically fragile individual. Beginning July 1, 1996, the commissioner shall increase reimbursement rates for a facility located in Chisholm and licensed as an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation and related conditions since 1972, to cover the cost to the facility for providing 24-hour licensed practical nurse care to a medically fragile individual admitted on March 8, 1996. The commissioner shall include in this higher rate a temporary adjustment to reimburse the facility for costs incurred between March 8, 1996, and June 30, 1996. Once this resident is discharged, the commissioner shall reduce the facility's payment rate by the amount of the cost of the 24-hour licensed practical nurse care.

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1987 c 403 art 5 s 22

Subd. 7. Repealed, 1987 c 403 art 5 s 22

Subd. 8. Payment for persons with special needs. The commissioner shall establish by December 31, 1983, procedures to be followed by the counties to seek authorization from the commissioner for medical assistance reimbursement for very dependent persons with special needs in an amount in excess of the rates allowed pursuant to subdivision 2, including rates established under section 252.46 when they apply to services provided to residents of intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, and procedures to be followed for rate limitation exemptions for intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions. Rate payments under subdivision 8a are eligible for a rate exception under this subdivision. No excess payment approved by the commissioner after June 30, 1991, shall be authorized unless:

(1) the need for specific level of service is documented in the individual service plan of the person to be served;

(2) the level of service needed can be provided within the rates established under section 252.46 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9553.0010 to 9553.0080, without a rate exception within 12 months;

(3) staff hours beyond those available under the rates established under section 252.46 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9553.0010 to 9553.0080, necessary to deliver services do not exceed 1,440 hours within 12 months;

(4) there is a basis for the estimated cost of services;

(5) the provider requesting the exception documents that current per diem rates are insufficient to support needed services;

(6) estimated costs, when added to the costs of current medical assistance-funded residential and day training and habilitation services and calculated as a per diem, do not exceed the per diem established for the regional treatment centers for persons with mental retardation and related conditions on July 1, 1990, indexed annually by the urban consumer price index, all items, as forecasted by Data Resources Inc., for the next fiscal year over the current fiscal year;

(7) any contingencies for an approval as outlined in writing by the commissioner are met; and

(8) any commissioner orders for use of preferred providers are met.

The commissioner shall evaluate the services provided pursuant to this subdivision through program and fiscal audits.

The commissioner may terminate the rate exception at any time under any of the conditions outlined in Minnesota Rules, part 9510.1120, subpart 3, for county termination, or by reason of information obtained through program and fiscal audits which indicate the criteria outlined in this subdivision have not been, or are no longer being, met.

The commissioner may approve no more than one rate exception, up to 12 months duration, for an eligible client.

Subd. 8a. Payment for persons with special needs for crisis intervention services. Community-based crisis services authorized by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee for a resident of an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation (ICF/MR) reimbursed under this section shall be paid by medical assistance in accordance with the paragraphs (a) to (g).

(a) "Crisis services" means the specialized services listed in clauses (1) to (3) provided to prevent the recipient from requiring placement in a more restrictive institutional setting such as an inpatient hospital or regional treatment center and to maintain the recipient in the present community setting.

(1) The crisis services provider shall assess the recipient's behavior and environment to identify factors contributing to the crisis.

(2) The crisis services provider shall develop a recipient-specific intervention plan in coordination with the service planning team and provide recommendations for revisions to the individual service plan if necessary to prevent or minimize the likelihood of future crisis situations. The intervention plan shall include a transition plan to aid the recipient in returning to the community-based ICF/MR if the recipient is receiving residential crisis services.

(3) The crisis services provider shall consult with and provide training and ongoing technical assistance to the recipient's service providers to aid in the implementation of the intervention plan and revisions to the individual service plan.

(b) "Residential crisis services" means crisis services that are provided to a recipient admitted to an alternative, state-licensed site approved by the commissioner, because the ICF/MR receiving reimbursement under this section is not able, as determined by the commissioner, to provide the intervention and protection of the recipient and others living with the recipient that is necessary to prevent the recipient from requiring placement in a more restrictive institutional setting.

(c) Residential crisis services providers must maintain a license from the commissioner for the residence when providing crisis services for short-term crisis intervention, and must not be located in a private residence.

(d) Payment rates shall be established consistent with county negotiated crisis intervention services.

(e) Payment for residential crisis services is limited to 21 days, unless an additional period is authorized by the commissioner or part of an approved regional plan.

(f) Payment for crisis services shall be made only for services provided while the ICF/MR receiving reimbursement under this section has executed a cooperative agreement with the crisis services provider to implement the intervention plan and revisions to the individual service plan as necessary to prevent or minimize the likelihood of future crisis situations, to maintain the recipient in the present community setting, and to prevent the recipient from requiring a more restrictive institutional setting.

(g) Payment to the ICF/MR receiving reimbursement under this section shall be made for up to 18 therapeutic leave days during which the recipient is receiving residential crisis services, if the ICF/MR is otherwise eligible to receive payment for a therapeutic leave day under Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0415. Payment under this paragraph shall be terminated if the commissioner determines that the ICF/MR is not meeting the terms of the cooperative service agreement under paragraph (f) or that the recipient will not return to the ICF/MR.

Subd. 9. Repealed, 1987 c 403 art 5 s 22

Subd. 10. Rules. To implement this section, the commissioner shall promulgate rules in accordance with chapter 14.

Subd. 11. Investment per bed limits, interest expense limitations, and arms-length leases. (a) The provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0075, except as modified under this subdivision, shall apply to newly constructed or established facilities that are certified for medical assistance on or after May 1, 1990.

(b) For purposes of establishing payment rates under this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, parts 9553.0010 to 9553.0080, the term "newly constructed or newly established" means a facility (1) for which a need determination has been approved by the commissioner under sections 252.28 and 252.291; (2) whose program is newly licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0215 to 9525.0355, and certified under Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 442.400, et seq.; and (3) that is part of a proposal that meets the requirements of section 252.291, subdivision 2, paragraph (2). The term does not include a facility for which a need determination was granted solely for other reasons such as the relocation of a facility; a change in the facility's name, program, number of beds, type of beds, or ownership; or the sale of a facility, unless the relocation of a facility to one or more service sites is the result of a closure of a facility under section 252.292, in which case clause (3) shall not apply. The term does include a facility that converts more than 50 percent of its licensed beds from class A to class B residential or class B institutional to serve persons discharged from state regional treatment centers on or after May 1, 1990, in which case clause (3) does not apply.

(c) Newly constructed or newly established facilities that are certified for medical assistance on or after May 1, 1990, shall be allowed the capital asset investment per bed limits as provided in clauses (1) to (4).

(1) The 1990 calendar year investment per bed limit for a facility's land must not exceed $5,700 per bed for newly constructed or newly established facilities in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Dakota, Scott, Carver, Chisago, Isanti, Wright, Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, St. Louis, Clay, and Olmsted counties, and must not exceed $3,000 per bed for newly constructed or newly established facilities in other counties.

(2) The 1990 calendar year investment per bed limit for a facility's depreciable capital assets must not exceed $44,800 for class B residential beds, and $45,200 for class B institutional beds.

(3) The investment per bed limit in clause (2) must not be used in determining the three-year average percentage increase adjustment in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 1, item C, subitem (4), for facilities that were newly constructed or newly established before May 1, 1990.

(4) The investment per bed limits in clause (2) and Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 1, item C, subitem (2) shall be adjusted annually beginning January 1, 1991, and each January 1 following, as provided in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 1, item C, subitem (2), except that the index utilized will be the Bureau of the Census: Composite fixed-weighted price index as published in the Survey of Current Business.

(d) A newly constructed or newly established facility's interest expense limitation as provided for in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 3, item F, on capital debt for capital assets acquired during the interim or settle-up period, shall be increased by 2.5 percentage points for each full .25 percentage points that the facility's interest rate on its mortgage is below the maximum interest rate as established in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 2, item A, subitem (2). For all following rate periods, the interest expense limitation on capital debt in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 3, item F, shall apply to the facility's capital assets acquired, leased, or constructed after the interim or settle-up period. If a newly constructed or newly established facility is acquired by the state, the limitations of this paragraph and Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 3, item F, shall not apply.

(e) If a newly constructed or newly established facility is leased with an arms-length lease as provided for in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 7, the lease agreement shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) the term of the lease, including option periods, must not be less than 20 years;

(2) the maximum interest rate used in determining the present value of the lease must not exceed the lesser of the interest rate limitation in Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060, subpart 2, item A, subitem (2), or 16 percent; and

(3) the residual value used in determining the net present value of the lease must be established using the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0060.

(f) All leases of the physical plant of an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded shall contain a clause that requires the owner to give the commissioner notice of any requests or orders to vacate the premises 90 days before such vacation of the premises is to take place. In the case of unlawful detainer actions, the owner shall notify the commissioner within three days of notice of an unlawful detainer action being served upon the tenant. The only exception to this notice requirement is in the case of emergencies where immediate vacation of the premises is necessary to assure the safety and welfare of the residents. In such an emergency situation, the owner shall give the commissioner notice of the request to vacate at the time the owner of the property is aware that the vacating of the premises is necessary. This section applies to all leases entered into after May 1, 1990. Rentals set in leases entered into after that date that do not contain this clause are not allowable costs for purposes of medical assistance reimbursement.

(g) A newly constructed or newly established facility's preopening costs are subject to the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0035, subpart 12, and must be limited to only those costs incurred during one of the following periods, whichever is shorter:

(1) between the date the commissioner approves the facility's need determination and 30 days before the date the facility is certified for medical assistance; or

(2) the 12-month period immediately preceding the 30 days before the date the facility is certified for medical assistance.

(h) The development of any newly constructed or newly established facility as defined in this subdivision and projected to be operational after July 1, 1991, by the commissioner of human services shall be delayed until July 1, 1993, except for those facilities authorized by the commissioner as a result of a closure of a facility according to section 252.292 prior to January 1, 1991, or those facilities developed as a result of a receivership of a facility according to section 245A.12. This paragraph does not apply to state-operated community facilities authorized in section 252.50.

Subd. 12. ICF/MR salary adjustments. Effective July 1, 1998, to September 30, 2000, the commissioner shall make available the appropriate salary adjustment cost per diem calculated in paragraphs (a) to (e) to the total operating cost payment rate of each facility subject to reimbursement under this section and Laws 1993, First Special Session chapter 1, article 4, section 11. The salary adjustment cost per diem must be determined as follows:

(a) Computation and review guidelines. A state-operated community service, and any facility whose payment rates are governed by closure agreements, receivership agreements, or Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0075, are not eligible for a salary adjustment otherwise granted under this subdivision. For purposes of the salary adjustment per diem computation and reviews in this subdivision, the term "salary adjustment cost" means the facility's allowable program operating cost category employee training expenses, and the facility's allowable salaries, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits. The term does not include these same salary-related costs for both administrative or central office employees.

For the purpose of determining the amount of salary adjustment to be granted under this subdivision, the commissioner must use the reporting year ending December 31, 1996, as the base year for the salary adjustment per diem computation.

(b) Salary adjustment per diem computation. For the rate period beginning July 1, 1998, each facility shall receive a salary adjustment cost per diem equal to its salary adjustment costs multiplied by 3.0 percent, and then divided by the facility's resident days.

(c) Submittal of plan. A facility may apply for the salary adjustment per diem calculated under this subdivision. The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the facility will distribute the salary adjustment to employees of the facility. For facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative, after July 1, 1998, may constitute the plan for the salary distribution. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the salary adjustment per diem is used solely to increase the compensation of facility employees. To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan for the salary distribution by December 31, 1998. If a facility's plan for salary distribution is effective for its employees after July 1, 1998, the salary adjustment cost per diem shall be effective the same date as its plan.

(d) Cost report. Additional costs incurred by facilities as a result of this salary adjustment are not allowable costs for purposes of the December 31, 1998, cost report.

(e) Salary adjustment. In order to apply for a salary adjustment, a facility reimbursed under Laws 1993, First Special Session chapter 1, article 4, section 11, must report the information referred to in paragraph (a) in the application, in the manner specified by the commissioner.

Subd. 13. ICF/MR rate increases beginning October 1, 1999, and October 1, 2000. (a) For the rate years beginning October 1, 1999, and October 1, 2000, the commissioner shall make available to each facility reimbursed under this section, section 256B.5011, and Laws 1993, First Special Session chapter 1, article 4, section 11, an adjustment to the total operating payment rate. For each facility, total operating costs shall be separated into costs that are compensation related and all other costs. "Compensation-related costs" means the facility's allowable program operating cost category employee training expenses and the facility's allowable salaries, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits. The term does not include these same salary-related costs for both administrative or central office employees.

For the purpose of determining the adjustment to be granted under this subdivision, the commissioner must use the most recent cost report that has been subject to desk audit.

(b) For the rate year beginning October 1, 1999, the commissioner shall make available a rate increase for compensation-related costs of 4.6 percent and a rate increase for all other operating costs of 3.2 percent.

(c) For the rate year beginning October 1, 2000, the commissioner shall make available:

(1) a rate increase for compensation-related costs of 6.6 percent, 45 percent of which shall be used to increase the per-hour pay rate of all employees except administrative and central office employees by an equal dollar amount and to pay associated costs for FICA, the Medicare tax, workers' compensation premiums, and federal and state unemployment insurance provided that this portion of the compensation-related increase shall be used only for wage increases implemented on or after October 1, 2000, and shall not be used for wage increases implemented prior to that date; and

(2) a rate increase for all other operating costs of two percent.

(d) For each facility, the commissioner shall determine the payment rate adjustment using the categories specified in paragraph (a) multiplied by the rate increases specified in paragraph (b) or (c), and then dividing the resulting amount by the facility's actual resident days.

(e) Any facility whose payment rates are governed by closure agreements, receivership agreements, or Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0075, are not eligible for an adjustment otherwise granted under this subdivision.

(f) A facility may apply for the compensation-related payment rate adjustment calculated under this subdivision. The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the facility will distribute the compensation-related portion of the payment rate adjustment to employees of the facility. For facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative constitutes the plan. For the second rate year, a negotiated agreement may constitute the plan only if the agreement is finalized after the date of enactment of all rate increases for the second rate year. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the payment rate adjustment per diem is used as provided in this subdivision. To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan for the compensation distribution by December 31 each year. A facility may amend its plan for the second rate year by submitting a revised plan by December 31, 2000. If a facility's plan for compensation distribution is effective for its employees after October 1 of the year that the funds are available, the payment rate adjustment per diem shall be effective the same date as its plan.

(g) A copy of the approved distribution plan must be made available to all employees. This must be done by giving each employee a copy or by posting it in an area of the facility to which all employees have access. If an employee does not receive the compensation adjustment described in their facility's approved plan and is unable to resolve the problem with the facility's management or through the employee's union representative, the employee may contact the commissioner at an address or telephone number provided by the commissioner and included in the approved plan.

HIST: 1983 c 312 art 9 s 7; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 25,58; 1985 c 21 s 57; 1986 c 420 s 13; 1987 c 403 art 5 s 17-19; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 169-180; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 84-86; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 80-82; 1991 c 292 art 4 s 64-66; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 122; art 9 s 28,29; 1993 c 339 s 22; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 109-112; 1995 c 114 s 1; 1995 c 207 art 7 s 33-40; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 49,50; 1996 c 451 art 3 s 4-7; 1997 c 187 art 5 s 28; 1998 c 407 art 3 s 15; art 4 s 43; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 69; 2000 c 464 art 2 s 2; 2000 c 474 s 12; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 23,37; 2000 c 499 s 24,26; 2001 c 35 s 1

256B.5011 ICF/MR reimbursement system effective October 1, 2000.

Subdivision 1. In general. Effective October 1, 2000, the commissioner shall implement a contracting system to replace the current method of setting total cost payment rates under section 256B.501 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9553.0010 to 9553.0080. In determining prospective payment rates of intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or related conditions, the commissioner shall index each facility's operating payment rate by an inflation factor as described in section 256B.5012. The commissioner of finance shall include annual inflation adjustments in operating costs for intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation and related conditions as a budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11.

Subd. 2. Contract provisions. (a) The service contract with each intermediate care facility must include provisions for:

(1) modifying payments when significant changes occur in the needs of the consumers;

(2) the establishment and use of a quality improvement plan. Using criteria and options for performance measures developed by the commissioner, each intermediate care facility must identify a minimum of one performance measure on which to focus its efforts for quality improvement during the contract period;

(3) appropriate and necessary statistical information required by the commissioner;

(4) annual aggregate facility financial information; and

(5) additional requirements for intermediate care facilities not meeting the standards set forth in the service contract.

(b) The commissioner of human services and the commissioner of health, in consultation with representatives from counties, advocacy organizations, and the provider community, shall review the consolidated standards under chapter 245B and the supervised living facility rule under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4665, to determine what provisions in Minnesota Rules, chapter 4665, may be waived by the commissioner of health for intermediate care facilities in order to enable facilities to implement the performance measures in their contract and provide quality services to residents without a duplication of or increase in regulatory requirements.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1999 c 245 art 3 s 51

HIST: 1998 c 407 art 3 s 16; 1999 c 245 art 3 s 31,32; 2000 c 474 s 13

256B.5012 ICF/MR payment system implementation.

Subdivision 1. Total payment rate. The total payment rate effective October 1, 2000, for existing ICF/MR facilities is the total of the operating payment rate and the property payment rate plus inflation factors as defined in this section. The initial rate year shall run from October 1, 2000, through December 31, 2001. Subsequent rate years shall run from January 1 through December 31 beginning in the year 2002.

Subd. 2. Operating payment rate. (a) The operating payment rate equals the facility's total payment rate in effect on September 30, 2000, minus the property rate. The operating payment rate includes the special operating rate and the efficiency incentive in effect as of September 30, 2000. Within the limits of appropriations specifically for this purpose, the operating payment shall be increased for each rate year by the annual percentage change in the Employment Cost Index for Private Industry Workers - Total Compensation, as forecasted by the commissioner of finance's economic consultant, in the second quarter of the calendar year preceding the start of each rate year. In the case of the initial rate year beginning October 1, 2000, and continuing through December 31, 2001, the percentage change shall be based on the percentage change in the Employment Cost Index for Private Industry Workers - Total Compensation for the 15-month period beginning October 1, 2000, as forecast by Data Resources, Inc., in the first quarter of 2000.

(b) Effective October 1, 2000, the operating payment rate shall be adjusted to reflect an occupancy rate equal to 100 percent of the facility's capacity days as of September 30, 2000.

Subd. 3. Property payment rate. (a) The property payment rate effective October 1, 2000, is based on the facility's modified property payment rate in effect on September 30, 2000. The modified property payment rate is the actual property payment rate exclusive of the effect of gains or losses on disposal of capital assets or adjustments for excess depreciation claims. Effective October 1, 2000, a facility minimum property rate of $8.13 shall be applied to all existing ICF/MR facilities. Facilities with a modified property payment rate effective September 30, 2000, which is below the minimum property rate shall receive an increase effective October 1, 2000, equal to the difference between the minimum property payment rate and the modified property payment rate in effect as of September 30, 2000. Facilities with a modified property payment rate at or above the minimum property payment rate effective September 30, 2000, shall receive the modified property payment rate effective October 1, 2000.

(b) Within the limits of appropriations specifically for this purpose, facility property payment rates shall be increased annually for inflation, effective January 1, 2002. The increase shall be based on each facility's property payment rate in effect on September 30, 2000. Modified property payment rates effective September 30, 2000, shall be arrayed from highest to lowest before applying the minimum property payment rate in paragraph (a). For modified property payment rates at the 90th percentile or above, the annual inflation increase shall be zero. For modified property payment rates below the 90th percentile but equal to or above the 75th percentile, the annual inflation increase shall be one percent. For modified property payment rates below the 75th percentile, the annual inflation increase shall be two percent.

Subd. 4. ICF/MR rate increases beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002. (a) For the rate years beginning July 1, 2001, and July 1, 2002, the commissioner shall make available to each facility reimbursed under this section an adjustment to the total operating payment rate of 3.5 percent. Of this adjustment, two-thirds must be used as provided under paragraph (b) and one-third must be used for operating costs.

(b) The adjustment under this paragraph must be used to increase the wages and benefits and pay associated costs of all employees except administrative and central office employees, provided that this increase must be used only for wage and benefit increases implemented on or after the first day of the rate year and must not be used for increases implemented prior to that date.

(c) For each facility, the commissioner shall make available an adjustment using the percentage specified in paragraph (a) multiplied by the total payment rate, excluding the property-related payment rate, in effect on the preceding June 30. The total payment rate shall include the adjustment provided in section 256B.501, subdivision 12.

(d) A facility whose payment rates are governed by closure agreements, receivership agreements, or Minnesota Rules, part 9553.0075, is not eligible for an adjustment otherwise granted under this subdivision.

(e) A facility may apply for the payment rate adjustment provided under paragraph (b). The application must be made to the commissioner and contain a plan by which the facility will distribute the adjustment in paragraph (b) to employees of the facility. For facilities in which the employees are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, an agreement negotiated and agreed to by the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative constitutes the plan. A negotiated agreement may constitute the plan only if the agreement is finalized after the date of enactment of all rate increases for the rate year. The commissioner shall review the plan to ensure that the payment rate adjustment per diem is used as provided in this subdivision. To be eligible, a facility must submit its plan by March 31, 2002, and March 31, 2003, respectively. If a facility's plan is effective for its employees after the first day of the applicable rate year that the funds are available, the payment rate adjustment per diem is effective the same date as its plan.

(f) A copy of the approved distribution plan must be made available to all employees by giving each employee a copy or by posting it in an area of the facility to which all employees have access. If an employee does not receive the wage and benefit adjustment described in the facility's approved plan and is unable to resolve the problem with the facility's management or through the employee's union representative, the employee may contact the commissioner at an address or telephone number provided by the commissioner and included in the approved plan.

HIST: 1999 c 245 art 3 s 33; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 5 s 30

256B.5013 Payment rate adjustments.

Subdivision 1. Variable rate adjustments. For rate years beginning on or after October 1, 2000, when there is a documented increase in the resource needs of a current ICF/MR recipient or recipients, or a person is admitted to a facility who requires additional resources, the county of financial responsibility may recommend approval of a variable rate to enable the facility to meet the individual's increased needs. Variable rate adjustments made under this subdivision replace payments for persons with special needs under section 256B.501, subdivision 8, and payments for persons with special needs for crisis intervention services under section 256B.501, subdivision 8a. Resource needs directly attributable to an individual that may be considered under the variable rate adjustment include increased direct staff hours, other specialized services, and equipment. The guidelines in paragraphs (a) to (d) apply for the payment rate adjustments under this section.

(a) All persons must be screened according to section 256B.092, subdivisions 7 and 8, prior to implementation of the new payment system, and annually thereafter, and when a variable rate is being requested due to changes in the needs of the recipient. Screening data shall be used to monitor changes as follows:

(1) the functional ability of a recipient to care for and maintain the recipient's own basic needs;

(2) the intensity of any aggressive or destructive behavior; and

(3) any history of obstructive behavior in combination with a diagnosis of psychosis or neurosis.

(b) A variable rate may be recommended for increased service needs such as:

(1) a need for resources due to a change in resident day program participation because the resident: (i) has reached the age of 65 or has a change in health condition that makes it difficult for the person to participate in day training and habilitation services over an extended period of time because it is medically contraindicated; and (ii) has expressed a desire for change through the mental retardation and related conditions screening process under section 256B.092; and

(2) a need for additional resources for intensive short-term programming which is necessary prior to a recipient's discharge to a less restrictive, more integrated setting.

Recommendations for a variable rate shall be used to link resource needs to funding. The variable rate must be applied to expenses related to increased direct staff hours, other specialized services, and equipment.

(c) A recipient must be screened by the county of financial responsibility using the developmental disabilities screening document completed immediately prior to approval of a variable rate by the county. A comparison of the updated screening and the previous screening must demonstrate an increase in resource needs.

(d) Rate adjustments projected to exceed the authorized funding level associated with the person's profile must be submitted to the commissioner.

(e) The county of financial responsibility must indicate the projected length of time that the additional funding may be needed for the individual. The need to continue an individual variable rate must be reviewed at the end of the anticipated duration of need but at least annually through the completion of the developmental disabilities screening document.

Subd. 2. Other payment rate adjustments. Facility total payment rates may be adjusted by the host county, with authorization from a statewide advisory committee, if, through the local system needs planning process, it is determined that a need exists to amend the package of purchased services with a resulting increase or decrease in costs. Except as provided in section 252.292, subdivision 4, if a provider demonstrates that the loss of revenues caused by the downsizing or closure of a facility cannot be absorbed by the facility based on current operations, the host county or the provider may submit a request to the statewide advisory committee for a facility base rate adjustment.

Subd. 3. Relocation. (a) Property rates for all facilities relocated after December 31, 1997, and up to and including October 1, 2000, shall have the full annual costs of relocation included in their October 1, 2000, property rate. The property rate for the relocated home is subject to the costs that were allowable under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9553, and the investment per bed limitation for newly constructed or newly established class B facilities.

(b) In ensuing years, all relocated homes shall be subject to the investment per bed limit for newly constructed or newly established class B facilities under section 256B.501, subdivision 11. The limits shall be adjusted on January 1 of each year by the percentage increase in the construction index published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce in the Survey of Current Business Statistics in October of the previous two years. Facilities that are relocated within the investment per bed limit may be approved by the statewide advisory committee. Costs for relocation of a facility that exceed the investment per bed limit must be absorbed by the facility.

(c) The payment rate shall take effect when the new facility is licensed and certified by the commissioner of health. Rates for facilities that are relocated after December 31, 1997, through October 1, 2000, shall be adjusted to reflect the full inclusion of the relocation costs, subject to the investment per bed limit in paragraph (b). The investment per bed limit calculated rate for the year in which the facility was relocated shall be the investment per bed limit used.

Subd. 4. Temporary rate adjustments to address occupancy and access. If a facility is operating at less than 100 percent occupancy on September 30, 2000, or if a recipient is discharged from a facility, the commissioner shall adjust the total payment rate for up to 90 days for the remaining recipients. This mechanism shall not be used to pay for hospital or therapeutic leave days beyond the maximums allowed. Facility payment adjustments exceeding 90 days to address a demonstrated need for access must be submitted to the statewide advisory committee with a local system needs assessment, plan, and budget for review and recommendation.

Subd. 5. Required data; payment adjustments. Facilities shall maintain and submit monthly bed use data in the form of resident days and variable rate information. When a variable rate is reported by a facility, monthly bed use data shall be used to track the amount and time span of the rate adjustment. The total payments made to a facility may be adjusted based on concurrent changes in the needs of recipients that are covered by a variable rate adjustment. Any adjustment for multiple resident changes shall not result in a decrease to the facility base rate.

Subd. 6. Commissioner review. During the initial contracting period, the commissioner shall review the process of variable rate adjustments to determine if the variable rate process is being effectively implemented and whether the variable rate process minimizes unnecessary detailed recordkeeping and meets recipient needs.

HIST: 1999 c 245 art 3 s 34; 2000 c 474 s 14-16; 2001 c 203 s 13

256B.5014 Financial reporting.

All facilities shall maintain financial records and shall provide annual income and expense reports to the commissioner of human services on a form prescribed by the commissioner no later than April 30 of each year in order to receive medical assistance payments. The reports for the reporting year ending December 31 must include:

(1) salaries and related expenses, including program salaries, administrative salaries, other salaries, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits;

(2) general operating expenses, including supplies, training, repairs, purchased services and consultants, utilities, food, licenses and fees, real estate taxes, insurance, and working capital interest;

(3) property related costs, including depreciation, capital debt interest, rent, and leases; and

(4) total annual resident days.

HIST: 1999 c 245 art 3 s 35

256B.5015 Pass-through of training and habilitation services costs.

Training and habilitation services costs shall be paid as a pass-through payment at the lowest rate paid for the comparable services at that site under sections 252.40 to 252.46. The pass-through payments for training and habilitation services shall be paid separately by the commissioner and shall not be included in the computation of the total payment rate.

HIST: 1999 c 245 art 3 s 36

256B.502 Rules.

The commissioners of health and human services shall promulgate rules necessary to implement Laws 1983, chapter 199.

HIST: 1983 c 199 s 16; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 51; 1997 c 187 art 5 s 29

256B.503 Rules.

To implement Laws 1983, chapter 312, article 9, sections 1 to 7, the commissioner shall promulgate rules. Rules adopted to implement Laws 1983, chapter 312, article 9, section 5, must (a) be in accord with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256E, (b) set standards for case management which include, encourage and enable flexible administration, (c) require the county boards to develop individualized procedures governing case management activities, (d) consider criteria promulgated under section 256B.092, subdivision 3, and the federal waiver plan, (e) identify cost implications to the state and to county boards, and (f) require the screening teams to make recommendations to the county case manager for development of the individual service plan.

The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this section by July 1, 1986.

HIST: 1983 c 312 art 9 s 8; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 53; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 52; 1997 c 187 art 5 s 30

256B.504 Repealed, 1995 c 248 art 2 s 8

256B.51 Nursing homes; cost of home care.

Subdivision 1. To determine the effectiveness of home care in providing or arranging for the care and services which would normally be provided in a nursing home, the commissioner of human services may establish an experimental program to subsidize a limited number of eligible agencies or households which agree to carry out a planned program of in-home care for an elderly or physically disabled person. The household or agency to provide the services shall be selected by the person who will receive the services.

This program shall be limited to agencies or households caring for persons who are physically disabled or 60 years of age or older, and who otherwise would require and be eligible for placement in a nursing home.

Subd. 2. Grants to eligible agencies or households shall be determined by the commissioner of human services. In determining the grants, the commissioner shall consider the cost of diagnostic assessments, homemaker services, specialized equipment, visiting nurses' or other pertinent therapists' costs, social services, day program costs, and related transportation expenses, not to exceed 50 percent of the average medical assistance reimbursement rate for nursing homes in the region of the person's residence.

Subd. 3. An individual care plan for the person shall be established and agreed upon by the person or agency providing the care, the person or agency receiving the subsidy, the person receiving the care, and the appropriate local welfare agency. The plan shall be periodically evaluated to determine the person's progress.

HIST: 1976 c 312 s 2; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58

256B.53 Dental access grants.

(a) The commissioner shall award grants to community clinics or other nonprofit community organizations, political subdivisions, professional associations, or other organizations that demonstrate the ability to provide dental services effectively to public program recipients. Grants may be used to fund the costs related to coordinating access for recipients, developing and implementing patient care criteria, upgrading or establishing new facilities, acquiring furnishings or equipment, recruiting new providers, or other development costs that will improve access to dental care in a region.

(b) In awarding grants, the commissioner shall give priority to applicants that plan to serve areas of the state in which the number of dental providers is not currently sufficient to meet the needs of recipients of public programs or uninsured individuals. The commissioner shall consider the following in awarding the grants:

(1) potential to successfully increase access to an underserved population;

(2) the long-term viability of the project to improve access beyond the period of initial funding;

(3) the efficiency in the use of the funding; and

(4) the experience of the applicants in providing services to the target population.

(c) The commissioner shall consider grants for the following:

(1) implementation of new programs or continued expansion of current access programs that have demonstrated success in providing dental services in underserved areas;

(2) a program for mobile or other types of outreach dental clinics in underserved geographic areas;

(3) a program for school-based dental clinics in schools with high numbers of children receiving medical assistance;

(4) a program testing new models of care that are sensitive to the cultural needs of the recipients;

(5) a program creating new educational campaigns that inform individuals of the importance of good oral health and the link between dental disease and overall health status;

(6) a program that organizes a network of volunteer dentists to provide dental services to public program recipients or uninsured individuals; and

(7) a program that tests new delivery models by creating partnerships between local providers and county public health agencies.

(d) The commissioner shall evaluate the effects of the dental access initiatives funded through the dental access grants and submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 2003.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 47

256B.55 Dental access advisory committee.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner shall establish a dental access advisory committee to monitor the purchasing, administration, and coverage of dental care services for the public health care programs to ensure dental care access and quality for public program recipients.

Subd. 2. Membership. (a) The membership of the advisory committee shall include, but is not limited to, representatives of dentists, including a dentist practicing in the seven-county metropolitan area and a dentist practicing outside the seven-county metropolitan area; oral surgeons; pediatric dentists; dental hygienists; community clinics; client advocacy groups; public health; health service plans; the University of Minnesota school of dentistry and the department of pediatrics; and the commissioner of health.

(b) The advisory committee is governed by section 15.059 for membership terms and removal of members. Members shall not receive per diem compensation or reimbursement for expenses.

Subd. 3. Duties. The advisory committee shall provide recommendations on the following:

(1) how to reduce the administrative burden governing dental care coverage policies in order to promote administrative simplification, including prior authorization, coverage limits, and co-payment collections;

(2) developing and implementing an action plan to improve the oral health of children and persons with special needs in the state;

(3) exploring alternative ways of purchasing and improving access to dental services;

(4) developing ways to foster greater responsibility among health care program recipients in seeking and obtaining dental care, including initiatives to keep dental appointments and comply with dental care plans;

(5) exploring innovative ways for dental providers to schedule public program patients in order to reduce or minimize the effect of appointment no shows;

(6) exploring ways to meet the barriers that may be present in providing dental services to health care program recipients such as language, culture, disability, and lack of transportation; and

(7) exploring the possibility of pediatricians, family physicians, and nurse practitioners providing basic oral health screenings and basic preventive dental services.

Subd. 4. Report. The commissioner shall submit a report by February 1, 2002, and by February 1, 2003, summarizing the activities and recommendations of the advisory committee.

Subd. 5. Sunset. Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, this section expires June 30, 2003.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 48

256B.56 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.57 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.58 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.59 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.60 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.61 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.62 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.63 Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1

256B.64 Attendants to ventilator-dependent recipients.

A ventilator-dependent recipient of medical assistance who has been receiving the services of a private duty nurse or personal care assistant in the recipient's home may continue to have a private duty nurse or personal care assistant present upon admission to a hospital licensed under chapter 144. The personal care assistant or private duty nurse shall perform only the services of communicator or interpreter for the ventilator-dependent patient during a transition period of up to 120 hours to assure adequate training of the hospital staff to communicate with the patient and to understand the unique comfort, safety, and personal care needs of the patient. The personal care assistant or private duty nurse may offer nonbinding advice to the health care professionals in charge of the ventilator-dependent patient's care and treatment on matters pertaining to the comfort and safety of the patient. Within 36 hours of the end of the 120-hour transition period, an assessment may be made by the ventilator-dependent recipient, the attending physician, and the hospital staff caring for the recipient. If the persons making the assessment determine that additional communicator or interpreter services are medically necessary, the hospital must contact the commissioner 24 hours prior to the end of the 120-hour transition period and submit the assessment information to the commissioner. The commissioner shall review the request and determine if it is medically necessary to continue the interpreter services or if the hospital staff has had sufficient opportunity to adequately determine the needs of the patient. The commissioner shall determine if continued service is necessary and appropriate and whether or not payments shall continue. The commissioner may not authorize services beyond the limits of the available appropriations for this section. The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this section. Reimbursement under this section must be at the payment rate and in a manner consistent with the payment rate and manner used in reimbursing these providers for home care services for the ventilator-dependent recipient under the medical assistance program.

HIST: 1988 c 689 art 2 s 181; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 20

256B.69 Prepayment demonstration project.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The commissioner of human services shall establish a medical assistance demonstration project to determine whether prepayment combined with better management of health care services is an effective mechanism to ensure that all eligible individuals receive necessary health care in a coordinated fashion while containing costs. For the purposes of this project, waiver of certain statutory provisions is necessary in accordance with this section.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services. For the remainder of this section, the commissioner's responsibilities for methods and policies for implementing the project will be proposed by the project advisory committees and approved by the commissioner.

(b) "Demonstration provider" means a health maintenance organization, community integrated service network, or accountable provider network authorized and operating under chapter 62D, 62N, or 62T that participates in the demonstration project according to criteria, standards, methods, and other requirements established for the project and approved by the commissioner. Notwithstanding the above, Itasca county may continue to participate as a demonstration provider until July 1, 2002.

(c) "Eligible individuals" means those persons eligible for medical assistance benefits as defined in sections 256B.055, 256B.056, and 256B.06.

(d) "Limitation of choice" means suspending freedom of choice while allowing eligible individuals to choose among the demonstration providers.

(e) This paragraph supersedes paragraph (c) as long as the Minnesota health care reform waiver remains in effect. When the waiver expires, this paragraph expires and the commissioner of human services shall publish a notice in the State Register and notify the revisor of statutes. "Eligible individuals" means those persons eligible for medical assistance benefits as defined in sections 256B.055, 256B.056, and 256B.06. Notwithstanding sections 256B.055, 256B.056, and 256B.06, an individual who becomes ineligible for the program because of failure to submit income reports or recertification forms in a timely manner, shall remain enrolled in the prepaid health plan and shall remain eligible to receive medical assistance coverage through the last day of the month following the month in which the enrollee became ineligible for the medical assistance program.

Subd. 3. Geographic area. The commissioner shall designate the geographic areas in which eligible individuals may be included in the medical assistance prepayment programs.

Subd. 3a. County authority. (a) The commissioner, when implementing the general assistance medical care, or medical assistance prepayment program within a county, must include the county board in the process of development, approval, and issuance of the request for proposals to provide services to eligible individuals within the proposed county. County boards must be given reasonable opportunity to make recommendations regarding the development, issuance, review of responses, and changes needed in the request for proposals. The commissioner must provide county boards the opportunity to review each proposal based on the identification of community needs under chapters 145A and 256E and county advocacy activities. If a county board finds that a proposal does not address certain community needs, the county board and commissioner shall continue efforts for improving the proposal and network prior to the approval of the contract. The county board shall make recommendations regarding the approval of local networks and their operations to ensure adequate availability and access to covered services. The provider or health plan must respond directly to county advocates and the state prepaid medical assistance ombudsperson regarding service delivery and must be accountable to the state regarding contracts with medical assistance and general assistance medical care funds. The county board may recommend a maximum number of participating health plans after considering the size of the enrolling population; ensuring adequate access and capacity; considering the client and county administrative complexity; and considering the need to promote the viability of locally developed health plans. The county board or a single entity representing a group of county boards and the commissioner shall mutually select health plans for participation at the time of initial implementation of the prepaid medical assistance program in that county or group of counties and at the time of contract renewal. The commissioner shall also seek input for contract requirements from the county or single entity representing a group of county boards at each contract renewal and incorporate those recommendations into the contract negotiation process. The commissioner, in conjunction with the county board, shall actively seek to develop a mutually agreeable timetable prior to the development of the request for proposal, but counties must agree to initial enrollment beginning on or before January 1, 1999, in either the prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs or county-based purchasing under section 256B.692. At least 90 days before enrollment in the medical assistance and general assistance medical care prepaid programs begins in a county in which the prepaid programs have not been established, the commissioner shall provide a report to the chairs of senate and house committees having jurisdiction over state health care programs which verifies that the commissioner complied with the requirements for county involvement that are specified in this subdivision.

(b) At the option of the county board, the board may develop contract requirements related to the achievement of local public health goals to meet the health needs of medical assistance and general assistance medical care enrollees. These requirements must be reasonably related to the performance of health plan functions and within the scope of the medical assistance and general assistance medical care benefit sets. If the county board and the commissioner mutually agree to such requirements, the department shall include such requirements in all health plan contracts governing the prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs in that county at initial implementation of the program in that county and at the time of contract renewal. The county board may participate in the enforcement of the contract provisions related to local public health goals.

(c) For counties in which prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs have not been established, the commissioner shall not implement those programs if a county board submits acceptable and timely preliminary and final proposals under section 256B.692, until county-based purchasing is no longer operational in that county. For counties in which prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs are in existence on or after September 1, 1997, the commissioner must terminate contracts with health plans according to section 256B.692, subdivision 5, if the county board submits and the commissioner accepts preliminary and final proposals according to that subdivision. The commissioner is not required to terminate contracts that begin on or after September 1, 1997, according to section 256B.692 until two years have elapsed from the date of initial enrollment.

(d) In the event that a county board or a single entity representing a group of county boards and the commissioner cannot reach agreement regarding: (i) the selection of participating health plans in that county; (ii) contract requirements; or (iii) implementation and enforcement of county requirements including provisions regarding local public health goals, the commissioner shall resolve all disputes after taking into account the recommendations of a three-person mediation panel. The panel shall be composed of one designee of the president of the association of Minnesota counties, one designee of the commissioner of human services, and one designee of the commissioner of health.

(e) If a county which elects to implement county-based purchasing ceases to implement county-based purchasing, it is prohibited from assuming the responsibility of county-based purchasing for a period of five years from the date it discontinues purchasing.

(f) Notwithstanding the requirement in this subdivision that a county must agree to initial enrollment on or before January 1, 1999, the commissioner shall grant a delay in the implementation of the county-based purchasing authorized in section 256B.692 until federal waiver authority and approval has been granted, if the county or group of counties has submitted a preliminary proposal for county-based purchasing by September 1, 1997, has not already implemented the prepaid medical assistance program before January 1, 1998, and has submitted a written request for the delay to the commissioner by July 1, 1998. In order for the delay to be continued, the county or group of counties must also submit to the commissioner the following information by December 1, 1998. The information must:

(1) identify the proposed date of implementation, as determined under section 256B.692, subdivision 5;

(2) include copies of the county board resolutions which demonstrate the continued commitment to the implementation of county-based purchasing by the proposed date. County board authorization may remain contingent on the submission of a final proposal which meets the requirements of section 256B.692, subdivision 5, paragraph (b);

(3) demonstrate actions taken for the establishment of a governance structure between the participating counties and describe how the fiduciary responsibilities of county-based purchasing will be allocated between the counties, if more than one county is involved in the proposal;

(4) describe how the risk of a deficit will be managed in the event expenditures are greater than total capitation payments. This description must identify how any of the following strategies will be used:

(i) risk contracts with licensed health plans;

(ii) risk arrangements with providers who are not licensed health plans;

(iii) risk arrangements with other licensed insurance entities; and

(iv) funding from other county resources;

(5) include, if county-based purchasing will not contract with licensed health plans or provider networks, letters of interest from local providers in at least the categories of hospital, physician, mental health, and pharmacy which express interest in contracting for services. These letters must recognize any risk transfer identified in clause (4), item (ii); and

(6) describe the options being considered to obtain the administrative services required in section 256B.692, subdivision 3, clauses (3) and (5).

(g) For counties which receive a delay under this subdivision, the final proposals required under section 256B.692, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), must be submitted at least six months prior to the requested implementation date. Authority to implement county-based purchasing remains contingent on approval of the final proposal as required under section 256B.692.

(h) If the commissioner is unable to provide county-specific, individual-level fee-for-service claims to counties by June 4, 1998, the commissioner shall grant a delay under paragraph (f) of up to 12 months in the implementation of county-based purchasing, and shall require implementation not later than January 1, 2000. In order to receive an extension of the proposed date of implementation under this paragraph, a county or group of counties must submit a written request for the extension to the commissioner by August 1, 1998, must submit the information required under paragraph (f) by December 1, 1998, and must submit a final proposal as provided under paragraph (g).

(i) Notwithstanding other requirements of this subdivision, the commissioner shall not require the implementation of the county-based purchasing authorized in section 256B.692 until six months after federal waiver approval has been obtained for county-based purchasing, if the county or counties have submitted the final plan as required in section 256B.692, subdivision 5. The commissioner shall allow the county or counties which submitted information under section 256B.692, subdivision 5, to submit supplemental or additional information which was not possible to submit by April 1, 1999. A county or counties shall continue to submit the required information and substantive detail necessary to obtain a prompt response and waiver approval. If amendments to the final plan are necessary due to the terms and conditions of the waiver approval, the commissioner shall allow the county or group of counties 60 days to make the necessary amendments to the final plan and shall not require implementation of the county-based purchasing until six months after the revised final plan has been submitted.

Subd. 3b. Provision of data to county boards. The commissioner, in consultation with representatives of county boards of commissioners shall identify program information and data necessary on an ongoing basis for county boards to: (1) make recommendations to the commissioner related to state purchasing under the prepaid medical assistance program; and (2) effectively administer county-based purchasing. This information and data must include, but is not limited to, county-specific, individual-level fee-for-service and prepaid health plan claims information.

Subd. 4. Limitation of choice. (a) The commissioner shall develop criteria to determine when limitation of choice may be implemented in the experimental counties. The criteria shall ensure that all eligible individuals in the county have continuing access to the full range of medical assistance services as specified in subdivision 6.

(b) The commissioner shall exempt the following persons from participation in the project, in addition to those who do not meet the criteria for limitation of choice:

(1) persons eligible for medical assistance according to section 256B.055, subdivision 1;

(2) persons eligible for medical assistance due to blindness or disability as determined by the social security administration or the state medical review team, unless:

(i) they are 65 years of age or older; or

(ii) they reside in Itasca county or they reside in a county in which the commissioner conducts a pilot project under a waiver granted pursuant to section 1115 of the Social Security Act;

(3) recipients who currently have private coverage through a health maintenance organization;

(4) recipients who are eligible for medical assistance by spending down excess income for medical expenses other than the nursing facility per diem expense;

(5) recipients who receive benefits under the Refugee Assistance Program, established under United States Code, title 8, section 1522(e);

(6) children who are both determined to be severely emotionally disturbed and receiving case management services according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 20;

(7) adults who are both determined to be seriously and persistently mentally ill and received case management services according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 20; and

(8) persons eligible for medical assistance according to section 256B.057, subdivision 10.

Children under age 21 who are in foster placement may enroll in the project on an elective basis. Individuals excluded under clauses (6) and (7) may choose to enroll on an elective basis.

(c) The commissioner may allow persons with a one-month spenddown who are otherwise eligible to enroll to voluntarily enroll or remain enrolled, if they elect to prepay their monthly spenddown to the state.

(d) The commissioner may require those individuals to enroll in the prepaid medical assistance program who otherwise would have been excluded under paragraph (b), clauses (1), (3), and (8), and under Minnesota Rules, part 9500.1452, subpart 2, items H, K, and L.

(e) Before limitation of choice is implemented, eligible individuals shall be notified and after notification, shall be allowed to choose only among demonstration providers. The commissioner may assign an individual with private coverage through a health maintenance organization, to the same health maintenance organization for medical assistance coverage, if the health maintenance organization is under contract for medical assistance in the individual's county of residence. After initially choosing a provider, the recipient is allowed to change that choice only at specified times as allowed by the commissioner. If a demonstration provider ends participation in the project for any reason, a recipient enrolled with that provider must select a new provider but may change providers without cause once more within the first 60 days after enrollment with the second provider.

Subd. 4a. Repealed, 1996 c 451 art 5 s 39

Subd. 4b. Individual education plan and individualized family service plan services. The commissioner shall amend the federal waiver allowing the state to separate out individual education plan and individualized family service plan services for children enrolled in the prepaid medical assistance program and the MinnesotaCare program. Effective July 1, 1999, or upon federal approval, medical assistance coverage of eligible individual education plan and individualized family service plan services shall not be included in the capitated services for children enrolled in health plans through the prepaid medical assistance program and the MinnesotaCare program. Upon federal approval, local school districts shall bill the commissioner for these services, and claims shall be paid on a fee-for-service basis.

Subd. 5. Prospective per capita payment. The commissioner shall establish the method and amount of payments for services. The commissioner shall annually contract with demonstration providers to provide services consistent with these established methods and amounts for payment.

If allowed by the commissioner, a demonstration provider may contract with an insurer, health care provider, nonprofit health service plan corporation, or the commissioner, to provide insurance or similar protection against the cost of care provided by the demonstration provider or to provide coverage against the risks incurred by demonstration providers under this section. The recipients enrolled with a demonstration provider are a permissible group under group insurance laws and chapter 62C, the Nonprofit Health Service Plan Corporations Act. Under this type of contract, the insurer or corporation may make benefit payments to a demonstration provider for services rendered or to be rendered to a recipient. Any insurer or nonprofit health service plan corporation licensed to do business in this state is authorized to provide this insurance or similar protection.

Payments to providers participating in the project are exempt from the requirements of sections 256.966 and 256B.03, subdivision 2. The commissioner shall complete development of capitation rates for payments before delivery of services under this section is begun. For payments made during calendar year 1990 and later years, the commissioner shall contract with an independent actuary to establish prepayment rates.

By January 15, 1996, the commissioner shall report to the legislature on the methodology used to allocate to participating counties available administrative reimbursement for advocacy and enrollment costs. The report shall reflect the commissioner's judgment as to the adequacy of the funds made available and of the methodology for equitable distribution of the funds. The commissioner must involve participating counties in the development of the report.

Subd. 5a. Managed care contracts. Managed care contracts under this section and sections 256L.12 and 256D.03, shall be entered into or renewed on a calendar year basis beginning January 1, 1996. Managed care contracts which were in effect on June 30, 1995, and set to renew on July 1, 1995, shall be renewed for the period July 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995 at the same terms that were in effect on June 30, 1995.

A prepaid health plan providing covered health services for eligible persons pursuant to chapters 256B, 256D, and 256L, is responsible for complying with the terms of its contract with the commissioner. Requirements applicable to managed care programs under chapters 256B, 256D, and 256L, established after the effective date of a contract with the commissioner take effect when the contract is next issued or renewed.

Subd. 5b. Prospective reimbursement rates. (a) For prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care program contract rates set by the commissioner under subdivision 5 and effective on or after January 1, 1998, capitation rates for nonmetropolitan counties shall on a weighted average be no less than 88 percent of the capitation rates for metropolitan counties, excluding Hennepin county. The commissioner shall make a pro rata adjustment in capitation rates paid to counties other than nonmetropolitan counties in order to make this provision budget neutral.

(b) For prepaid medical assistance program contract rates set by the commissioner under subdivision 5 and effective on or after January 1, 2001, capitation rates for nonmetropolitan counties shall, on a weighted average, be no less than 89 percent of the capitation rates for metropolitan counties, excluding Hennepin county.

(c) This subdivision shall not affect the nongeographically based risk adjusted rates established under section 62Q.03, subdivision 5a.

Subd. 5c. Medical education and research fund. (a) The commissioner of human services shall transfer each year to the medical education and research fund established under section 62J.692, the following:

(1) an amount equal to the reduction in the prepaid medical assistance and prepaid general assistance medical care payments as specified in this clause. Until January 1, 2002, the county medical assistance and general assistance medical care capitation base rate prior to plan specific adjustments and after the regional rate adjustments under section 256B.69, subdivision 5b, is reduced 6.3 percent for Hennepin county, two percent for the remaining metropolitan counties, and no reduction for nonmetropolitan Minnesota counties; and after January 1, 2002, the county medical assistance and general assistance medical care capitation base rate prior to plan specific adjustments is reduced 6.3 percent for Hennepin county, two percent for the remaining metropolitan counties, and 1.6 percent for nonmetropolitan Minnesota counties. Nursing facility and elderly waiver payments and demonstration project payments operating under subdivision 23 are excluded from this reduction. The amount calculated under this clause shall not be adjusted for periods already paid due to subsequent changes to the capitation payments; and

(2) beginning July 1, 2001, $2,537,000 from the capitation rates paid under this section plus any federal matching funds on this amount.

(b) This subdivision shall be effective upon approval of a federal waiver which allows federal financial participation in the medical education and research fund.

Subd. 5d. Modification of payment dates effective January 1, 2001. Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2001, capitation payments under this section and under section 256D.03 for services provided in the month of June shall be made no earlier than the first day after the month of service.

Subd. 5e. Medical education and research payments. For the calendar years 1999, 2000, and 2001, a hospital that participates in funding the federal share of the medical education and research trust fund payment under Laws 1998, chapter 407, article 1, section 3, shall not be held liable for any amounts attributable to this payment above the charge limit of section 256.969, subdivision 3a. The commissioner of human services shall assume liability for any corresponding federal share of the payments above the charge limit.

Subd. 6. Service delivery. (a) Each demonstration provider shall be responsible for the health care coordination for eligible individuals. Demonstration providers:

(1) shall authorize and arrange for the provision of all needed health services including but not limited to the full range of services listed in sections 256B.02, subdivision 8, and 256B.0625 in order to ensure appropriate health care is delivered to enrollees;

(2) shall accept the prospective, per capita payment from the commissioner in return for the provision of comprehensive and coordinated health care services for eligible individuals enrolled in the program;

(3) may contract with other health care and social service practitioners to provide services to enrollees; and

(4) shall institute recipient grievance procedures according to the method established by the project, utilizing applicable requirements of chapter 62D. Disputes not resolved through this process shall be appealable to the commissioner as provided in subdivision 11.

(b) Demonstration providers must comply with the standards for claims settlement under section 72A.201, subdivisions 4, 5, 7, and 8, when contracting with other health care and social service practitioners to provide services to enrollees. A demonstration provider must pay a clean claim, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 447.45(b), within 30 business days of the date of acceptance of the claim.

Subd. 6a. Nursing home services. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9500.1457, subpart 1, item B, up to 90 days of nursing facility services as defined in section 256B.0625, subdivision 2, which are provided in a nursing facility certified by the Minnesota department of health for services provided and eligible for payment under Medicaid, shall be covered under the prepaid medical assistance program for individuals who are not residing in a nursing facility at the time of enrollment in the prepaid medical assistance program.

(b) For individuals enrolled in the Minnesota senior health options project authorized under subdivision 23, nursing facility services shall be covered according to the terms and conditions of the federal agreement governing that demonstration project.

Subd. 6b. Home and community-based waiver services. (a) For individuals enrolled in the Minnesota senior health options project authorized under subdivision 23, elderly waiver services shall be covered according to the terms and conditions of the federal agreement governing that demonstration project.

(b) For individuals under age 65 enrolled in demonstrations authorized under subdivision 23, home and community-based waiver services shall be covered according to the terms and conditions of the federal agreement governing that demonstration project.

Subd. 6c. Dental services demonstration project. The commissioner shall establish a dental services demonstration project in Crow Wing, Todd, Morrison, Wadena, and Cass counties for provision of dental services to medical assistance, general assistance medical care, and MinnesotaCare recipients. The commissioner may contract on a prospective per capita payment basis for these dental services with an organization licensed under chapter 62C, 62D, or 62N in accordance with section 256B.037 or may establish and administer a fee-for-service system for the reimbursement of dental services.

Subd. 7. Enrollee benefits. All eligible individuals enrolled by demonstration providers shall receive all needed health care services as defined in subdivision 6.

All enrolled individuals have the right to appeal if necessary services are not being authorized as defined in subdivision 11.

Subd. 8. Preadmission screening waiver. Except as applicable to the project's operation, the provisions of section 256B.0911 are waived for the purposes of this section for recipients enrolled with demonstration providers.

Subd. 9. Reporting. Each demonstration provider shall submit information as required by the commissioner, including data required for assessing client satisfaction, quality of care, cost, and utilization of services for purposes of project evaluation. The commissioner shall also develop methods of data collection from county advocacy activities in order to provide aggregate enrollee information on encounters and outcomes to determine access and quality assurance. Required information shall be specified before the commissioner contracts with a demonstration provider.

Subd. 10. Information. Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, the commissioner may allow disclosure of the recipient's identity solely for the purposes of (a) allowing demonstration providers to provide the information to the recipient regarding services, access to services, and other provider characteristics, and (b) facilitating monitoring of recipient satisfaction and quality of care. The commissioner shall develop and implement measures to protect recipients from invasions of privacy and from harassment.

Subd. 11. Appeals. A recipient may appeal to the commissioner a demonstration provider's delay or refusal to provide services, according to section 256.045.

Subd. 12. Repealed, 1989 c 282 art 3 s 98

Subd. 13. Repealed, 1989 c 282 art 3 s 98

Subd. 14. Repealed, 1989 c 282 art 3 s 98

Subd. 15. Repealed, 1989 c 282 art 3 s 98

Subd. 16. Project extension. Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.1450; 9500.1451; 9500.1452; 9500.1453; 9500.1454; 9500.1455; 9500.1456; 9500.1457; 9500.1458; 9500.1459; 9500.1460; 9500.1461; 9500.1462; 9500.1463; and 9500.1464 are extended.

Subd. 17. Continuation of prepaid medical assistance. The commissioner may continue the provisions of this section after June 30, 1990, in any or all of the participating counties if necessary federal authority is granted. The commissioner may adopt permanent rules to continue prepaid medical assistance in these areas.

Subd. 18. Services pending appeal. If the recipient appeals in writing to the state agency on or before the tenth day after the decision of the prepaid health plan to reduce, suspend, or terminate services which the recipient had been receiving, and the treating physician or another plan physician orders the services to be continued at the previous level, the prepaid health plan must continue to provide services at a level equal to the level ordered by the plan's physician until the state agency renders its decision.

Subd. 19. Limitation on reimbursement to providers not affiliated with a prepaid health plan. A prepaid health plan may limit any reimbursement it may be required to pay to providers not employed by or under contract with the prepaid health plan to the medical assistance rates for medical assistance enrollees, and the general assistance medical care rates for general assistance medical care enrollees, paid by the commissioner of human services to providers for services to recipients not enrolled in a prepaid health plan.

Subd. 20. Ombudsperson. The commissioner shall designate an ombudsperson to advocate for persons required to enroll in prepaid health plans under this section. The ombudsperson shall advocate for recipients enrolled in prepaid health plans through complaint and appeal procedures and ensure that necessary medical services are provided either by the prepaid health plan directly or by referral to appropriate social services. At the time of enrollment in a prepaid health plan, the local agency shall inform recipients about the ombudsperson program and their right to a resolution of a complaint by the prepaid health plan if they experience a problem with the plan or its providers.

Subd. 21. Prepayment coordinator. The county board shall designate a prepayment coordinator to assist the state agency in implementing this section and section 256D.03, subdivision 4. Assistance must include educating recipients about available health care options, enrolling recipients under subdivision 5, providing necessary eligibility and enrollment information to health plans and the state agency, and coordinating complaints and appeals with the ombudsman established in subdivision 18.

Subd. 22. Impact on public or teaching hospitals and community clinics. (a) Before implementing prepaid programs in counties with a county operated or affiliated public teaching hospital or a hospital or clinic operated by the University of Minnesota, the commissioner shall consider the risks the prepaid program creates for the hospital and allow the county or hospital the opportunity to participate in the program, provided the terms of participation in the program are competitive with the terms of other participants.

(b) Prepaid health plans serving counties with a nonprofit community clinic or community health services agency must contract with the clinic or agency to provide services to clients who choose to receive services from the clinic or agency, if the clinic or agency agrees to payment rates that are competitive with rates paid to other health plan providers for the same or similar services.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "nonprofit community clinic" includes, but is not limited to, a community mental health center as defined in sections 245.62 and 256B.0625, subdivision 5.

Subd. 23. Alternative integrated long-term care services; elderly and disabled persons. (a) The commissioner may implement demonstration projects to create alternative integrated delivery systems for acute and long-term care services to elderly persons and persons with disabilities as defined in section 256B.77, subdivision 7a, that provide increased coordination, improve access to quality services, and mitigate future cost increases. The commissioner may seek federal authority to combine Medicare and Medicaid capitation payments for the purpose of such demonstrations. Medicare funds and services shall be administered according to the terms and conditions of the federal waiver and demonstration provisions. For the purpose of administering medical assistance funds, demonstrations under this subdivision are subject to subdivisions 1 to 22. The provisions of Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.1450 to 9500.1464, apply to these demonstrations, with the exceptions of parts 9500.1452, subpart 2, item B; and 9500.1457, subpart 1, items B and C, which do not apply to persons enrolling in demonstrations under this section. An initial open enrollment period may be provided. Persons who disenroll from demonstrations under this subdivision remain subject to Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.1450 to 9500.1464. When a person is enrolled in a health plan under these demonstrations and the health plan's participation is subsequently terminated for any reason, the person shall be provided an opportunity to select a new health plan and shall have the right to change health plans within the first 60 days of enrollment in the second health plan. Persons required to participate in health plans under this section who fail to make a choice of health plan shall not be randomly assigned to health plans under these demonstrations. Notwithstanding section 256L.12, subdivision 5, and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.5220, subpart 1, item A, if adopted, for the purpose of demonstrations under this subdivision, the commissioner may contract with managed care organizations, including counties, to serve only elderly persons eligible for medical assistance, elderly and disabled persons, or disabled persons only. For persons with primary diagnoses of mental retardation or a related condition, serious and persistent mental illness, or serious emotional disturbance, the commissioner must ensure that the county authority has approved the demonstration and contracting design. Enrollment in these projects for persons with disabilities shall be voluntary. The commissioner shall not implement any demonstration project under this subdivision for persons with primary diagnoses of mental retardation or a related condition, serious and persistent mental illness, or serious emotional disturbance, without approval of the county board of the county in which the demonstration is being implemented.

Before implementation of a demonstration project for disabled persons, the commissioner must provide information to appropriate committees of the house of representatives and senate and must involve representatives of affected disability groups in the design of the demonstration projects.

(b) A nursing facility reimbursed under the alternative reimbursement methodology in section 256B.434 may, in collaboration with a hospital, clinic, or other health care entity provide services under paragraph (a). The commissioner shall amend the state plan and seek any federal waivers necessary to implement this paragraph.

Subd. 24. MS 1997 SUPP [Repealed, 1999 c 245 art 3 s 51]

Subd. 24a. Social service and public health costs. The commissioner shall report on recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 1997, identifying county social services and public health administrative costs for each target population that should be excluded from the overall capitation rate.

Subd. 25. Continuation of payments through discharge. In the event a medical assistance recipient or beneficiary enrolled in a health plan under this section is denied nursing facility services after residing in the facility for more than 180 days, any denial of medical assistance payment to a provider under this section shall be prospective only and payments to the provider shall continue until the resident is discharged or 30 days after the effective date of the service denial, whichever is sooner.

Subd. 26. American Indian recipients. (a) Beginning on or after January 1, 1999, for American Indian recipients of medical assistance who are required to enroll with a demonstration provider under subdivision 4 or in a county-based purchasing entity, if applicable, under section 256B.692, medical assistance shall cover health care services provided at Indian health services facilities and facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization under funding authorized by United States Code, title 25, sections 450f to 450n, or title III of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law Number 93-638, if those services would otherwise be covered under section 256B.0625. Payments for services provided under this subdivision shall be made on a fee-for-service basis, and may, at the option of the tribe or tribal organization, be made according to rates authorized under sections 256.969, subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 34. Implementation of this purchasing model is contingent on federal approval.

(b) The commissioner of human services, in consultation with the tribal governments, shall develop a plan for tribes to assist in the enrollment process for American Indian recipients enrolled in the prepaid medical assistance program under this section or the prepaid general assistance medical care program under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (d). This plan also shall address how tribes will be included in ensuring the coordination of care for American Indian recipients between Indian health service or tribal providers and other providers.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "American Indian" has the meaning given to persons to whom services will be provided for in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 36.12.

(d) This subdivision also applies to American Indian recipients of general assistance medical care and to the prepaid general assistance medical care program under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (d).

Subd. 27. Information for persons with limited English-language proficiency. Managed care contracts entered into under this section and sections 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), and 256L.12 must require demonstration providers to inform enrollees that upon request the enrollee can obtain a certificate of coverage in the following languages: Spanish, Hmong, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese, or Cambodian. Upon request, the demonstration provider must provide the enrollee with a certificate of coverage in the specified language of preference.

HIST: 1983 c 312 art 5 s 27; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 95-101; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 182,183,268; 1989 c 209 art 1 s 23; 1989 c 282 art 3 s 87-90; 1990 c 426 art 1 s 29; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 83,84; 1991 c 292 art 7 s 25; 1994 c 529 s 11; 1995 c 207 art 6 s 90-102; art 7 s 41; 1995 c 234 art 6 s 40,41; 1996 c 451 art 2 s 33-37; art 5 s 32; 1997 c 203 art 2 s 26; art 4 s 48-55; 1998 c 407 art 3 s 17; art 4 s 44-48; 1999 c 159 s 53; 1999 c 245 art 2 s 38; art 3 s 37,38; art 4 s 70-75; 2000 c 340 s 12,13; 2000 c 353 s 1; 2000 c 488 art 9 s 24-26; 2001 c 161 s 49; 2001 c 203 s 14; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 49-52

* NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 4 by Laws 2001, First *Special Session chapter 9, article 2, section 49, is effective *July 1, 2002. Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, *article 2, section 49, the effective date.

256B.691 Risk-based transportation payments.

Any contract with a prepaid health plan under the medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or MinnesotaCare program that requires the health plan to cover transportation services for obtaining medical care for eligible individuals who are ambulatory must provide for payment for those services on a risk basis.

HIST: 1995 c 207 art 6 s 103

256B.692 County-based purchasing.

Subdivision 1. In general. County boards or groups of county boards may elect to purchase or provide health care services on behalf of persons eligible for medical assistance and general assistance medical care who would otherwise be required to or may elect to participate in the prepaid medical assistance or prepaid general assistance medical care programs according to sections 256B.69 and 256D.03. Counties that elect to purchase or provide health care under this section must provide all services included in prepaid managed care programs according to sections 256B.69, subdivisions 1 to 22, and 256D.03. County-based purchasing under this section is governed by section 256B.69, unless otherwise provided for under this section.

Subd. 2. Duties of the commissioner of health. (a) Notwithstanding chapters 62D and 62N, a county that elects to purchase medical assistance and general assistance medical care in return for a fixed sum without regard to the frequency or extent of services furnished to any particular enrollee is not required to obtain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D or 62N. The county board of commissioners is the governing body of a county-based purchasing program. In a multicounty arrangement, the governing body is a joint powers board established under section 471.59.

(b) A county that elects to purchase medical assistance and general assistance medical care services under this section must satisfy the commissioner of health that the requirements for assurance of consumer protection, provider protection, and fiscal solvency of chapter 62D, applicable to health maintenance organizations, or chapter 62N, applicable to community integrated service networks, will be met.

(c) A county must also assure the commissioner of health that the requirements of sections 62J.041; 62J.48; 62J.71 to 62J.73; 62M.01 to 62M.16; all applicable provisions of chapter 62Q, including sections 62Q.075; 62Q.1055; 62Q.106; 62Q.12; 62Q.135; 62Q.14; 62Q.145; 62Q.19; 62Q.23, paragraph (c); 62Q.43; 62Q.47; 62Q.50; 62Q.52 to 62Q.56; 62Q.58; 62Q.64; 62Q.68 to 62Q.72; and 72A.201 will be met.

(d) All enforcement and rulemaking powers available under chapters 62D, 62J, 62M, 62N, and 62Q are hereby granted to the commissioner of health with respect to counties that purchase medical assistance and general assistance medical care services under this section.

(e) The commissioner, in consultation with county government, shall develop administrative and financial reporting requirements for county-based purchasing programs relating to sections 62D.041, 62D.042, 62D.045, 62D.08, 62N.28, 62N.29, and 62N.31, and other sections as necessary, that are specific to county administrative, accounting, and reporting systems and consistent with other statutory requirements of counties.

Subd. 3. Requirements of the county board. A county board that intends to purchase or provide health care under this section, which may include purchasing all or part of these services from health plans or individual providers on a fee-for-service basis, or providing these services directly, must demonstrate the ability to follow and agree to the following requirements:

(1) purchase all covered services for a fixed payment from the state that does not exceed the estimated state and federal cost that would have occurred under the prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs;

(2) ensure that covered services are accessible to all enrollees and that enrollees have a reasonable choice of providers, health plans, or networks when possible. If the county is also a provider of service, the county board shall develop a process to ensure that providers employed by the county are not the sole referral source and are not the sole provider of health care services if other providers, which meet the same quality and cost requirements are available;

(3) issue payments to participating vendors or networks in a timely manner;

(4) establish a process to ensure and improve the quality of care provided;

(5) provide appropriate quality and other required data in a format required by the state;

(6) provide a system for advocacy, enrollee protection, and complaints and appeals that is independent of care providers or other risk bearers and complies with section 256B.69;

(7) for counties within the seven-county metropolitan area, ensure that the implementation and operation of the Minnesota senior health options demonstration project, authorized under section 256B.69, subdivision 23, will not be impeded;

(8) ensure that all recipients that are enrolled in the prepaid medical assistance or general assistance medical care program will be transferred to county-based purchasing without utilizing the department's fee-for-service claims payment system;

(9) ensure that all recipients who are required to participate in county-based purchasing are given sufficient information prior to enrollment in order to make informed decisions; and

(10) ensure that the state and the medical assistance and general assistance medical care recipients will be held harmless for the payment of obligations incurred by the county if the county, or a health plan providing services on behalf of the county, or a provider participating in county-based purchasing becomes insolvent, and the state has made the payments due to the county under this section.

Subd. 4. Payments to counties. The commissioner shall pay counties that are purchasing or providing health care under this section a per capita payment for all enrolled recipients. Payments shall not exceed payments that otherwise would have been paid to health plans under medical assistance and general assistance medical care for that county or region. This payment is in addition to any administrative allocation to counties for education, enrollment, and advocacy. The state of Minnesota and the United States Department of Health and Human Services are not liable for any costs incurred by a county that exceed the payments to the county made under this subdivision. A county whose costs exceed the payments made by the state, or any affected enrollees or creditors of that county, shall have no rights under chapter 61B or section 62D.181. A county may assign risk for the cost of care to a third party.

Subd. 5. County proposals. (a) On or before September 1, 1997, a county board that wishes to purchase or provide health care under this section must submit a preliminary proposal that substantially demonstrates the county's ability to meet all the requirements of this section in response to criteria for proposals issued by the department on or before July 1, 1997. Counties submitting preliminary proposals must establish a local planning process that involves input from medical assistance and general assistance medical care recipients, recipient advocates, providers and representatives of local school districts, labor, and tribal government to advise on the development of a final proposal and its implementation.

(b) The county board must submit a final proposal on or before July 1, 1998, that demonstrates the ability to meet all the requirements of this section, including beginning enrollment on January 1, 1999, unless a delay has been granted under section 256B.69, subdivision 3a, paragraph (g).

(c) After January 1, 1999, for a county in which the prepaid medical assistance program is in existence, the county board must submit a preliminary proposal at least 15 months prior to termination of health plan contracts in that county and a final proposal six months prior to the health plan contract termination date in order to begin enrollment after the termination. Nothing in this section shall impede or delay implementation or continuation of the prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs in counties for which the board does not submit a proposal, or submits a proposal that is not in compliance with this section.

(d) The commissioner is not required to terminate contracts for the prepaid medical assistance and prepaid general assistance medical care programs that begin on or after September 1, 1997, in a county for which a county board has submitted a proposal under this paragraph, until two years have elapsed from the date of initial enrollment in the prepaid medical assistance and prepaid general assistance medical care programs.

Subd. 6. Commissioner's authority. The commissioner may:

(1) reject any preliminary or final proposal that substantially fails to meet the requirements of this section, or that the commissioner determines would substantially impair the state's ability to purchase health care services in other areas of the state, or would substantially impair an enrollee's choice of care systems when reasonable choice is possible, or would substantially impair the implementation and operation of the Minnesota senior health options demonstration project authorized under section 256B.69, subdivision 23; and

(2) assume operation of a county's purchasing of health care for enrollees in medical assistance and general assistance medical care in the event that the contract with the county is terminated.

Subd. 7. Dispute resolution. In the event the commissioner rejects a proposal under subdivision 6, the county board may request the recommendation of a three-person mediation panel. The commissioner shall resolve all disputes after taking into account the recommendations of the mediation panel. The panel shall be composed of one designee of the president of the association of Minnesota counties, one designee of the commissioner of human services, and one designee of the commissioner of health.

Subd. 8. Appeals. A county that conducts county-based purchasing shall be considered to be a prepaid health plan for purposes of section 256.045.

Subd. 9. Federal approval. The commissioner shall request any federal waivers and federal approval required to implement this section. County-based purchasing shall not be implemented without obtaining all federal approval required to maintain federal matching funds in the medical assistance program.

Subd. 10. Report to the legislature. The commissioner shall submit a report to the legislature by February 1, 1998, on the preliminary proposals submitted on or before September 1, 1997.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 4 s 56; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 49,50; 1999 c 239 s 42; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 76; 2001 c 170 s 8

256B.693 State-operated services; managed care.

Subdivision 1. Proposals for managed care; role of state operated services. Any proposal integrating state-operated services with managed care systems for persons with disabilities shall identify the specific role to be assumed by state-operated services and the funding arrangement in which state-operated services shall effectively operate within the managed care initiative. The commissioner shall not approve or implement the initiative that consolidates funding appropriated for state-operated services with funding for managed care initiatives for persons with disabilities.

Subd. 2. Study by the commissioner. To help identify appropriate state-operated services for managed care systems, the commissioner of human services shall study the integration of state-operated services into public managed care systems and make recommendations to the legislature. The commissioner's study and recommendations shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1) identification of persons with disabilities on waiting lists for services, which could be provided by state-operated services;

(2) availability of crisis services to persons with disabilities;

(3) unmet service needs, which could be met by state-operated services; and

(4) deficiencies in managed care contracts and services, which hinder the placement and maintenance of persons with disabilities in community settings.

In conducting this study, the commissioner shall survey counties concerning their interest in and need for services that could be provided by state-operated services. The commissioner shall also consult with the appropriate exclusive bargaining unit representatives. The commissioner shall report findings to the legislature by February 1, 1998.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 9 s 13

256B.70 Demonstration project waiver.

Each hospital that participates as a provider in a demonstration project, established by the commissioner of human services to deliver medical assistance, or chemical dependency services on a prepaid, capitation basis, is exempt from the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital service during the period of its participation in that project.

HIST: 1983 c 312 art 5 s 28; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1986 c 394 s 18

256B.71 Social health maintenance organization demonstration.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The commissioner of human services may participate in social health maintenance organization demonstration projects to determine if prepayment combined with the delivery of alternative services is an effective method of delivering services while containing costs.

Subd. 2. Case management. Each participating provider approved by the commissioner shall serve as case manager for recipients enrolled in its plan. The participating provider shall authorize and arrange for the provision of all needed health services including but not limited to the full range of services listed in sections 256B.02, subdivision 8, and 256B.0625 in order to ensure that appropriate health care is delivered to enrollees.

Subd. 3. Enrollment of medical assistance recipients. Medical assistance recipients may voluntarily enroll in the social health maintenance organization projects. However, once enrolled in a project, the recipient must remain enrolled for a period of six months.

Subd. 4. Payment for services. Notwithstanding section 256.966 and this chapter, the method of payment utilized for the social health maintenance organization projects shall be the method developed by the commissioner of human services in consultation with local project staff and the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Demonstrations. This subdivision applies only to the payment method for the social health maintenance organization projects.

Subd. 5. Repealed, 1991 c 292 art 7 s 26

HIST: 1983 c 295 s 1; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 268

256B.72 Right of appeal.

The commissioner shall not recover overpayments from medical assistance vendors if an administrative appeal or judicial action challenging the proposed recovery is pending.

HIST: 1Sp1985 c 9 art 2 s 54

256B.73 Demonstration project for uninsured low-income persons.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of the demonstration project is to determine the need for and the feasibility of establishing a statewide program of medical insurance for uninsured low-income persons.

Subd. 2. Establishment; geographic area. The commissioner of human services shall cooperate with a local coalition to establish a demonstration project to provide low cost medical insurance to uninsured low-income persons in Cook, Crow Wing, Lake, St. Louis, Carlton, Aitkin, Pine, Itasca, and Koochiching counties except an individual county may be excluded as determined by the county board of commissioners. The coalition shall work with the commissioners of human services, commerce, and health and potential demonstration providers as well as other public and private organizations to determine program design, including enrollee eligibility requirements, benefits, and participation.

Subd. 3. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given:

(1) "coalition" means an organization comprised of members representative of small business, health care providers, county social service departments, health consumer groups, and the health industry, established to serve the purposes of this demonstration;

(2) "demonstration provider" means a corporation regulated under chapter 62A, 62C, or 62D;

(3) "individual provider" means a medical provider under contract to the demonstration provider to provide medical care to enrollees; and

(4) "enrollee" means a person eligible to receive coverage according to subdivision 4.

Subd. 4. Enrollee eligibility requirements. To be eligible for participation in the demonstration project, an enrollee must:

(1) not be eligible for Medicare, medical assistance, or general assistance medical care; and

(2) have no medical insurance or health benefits plan available through employment or other means that would provide coverage for the same medical services as provided by this demonstration.

Subd. 5. Enrollee benefits. (a) Eligible persons enrolled by a demonstration provider shall receive a health services benefit package that includes health services which the enrollees might reasonably require to be maintained in good health, including emergency care, inpatient hospital and physician care, outpatient health services, and preventive health services.

(b) Services related to chemical dependency, mental illness, vision care, dental care, and other benefits may be excluded or limited upon approval by the commissioners. The coalition may petition the commissioner of commerce or health, whichever is appropriate, for waivers that allow these benefits to be excluded or limited.

(c) The commissioners, the coalition, and demonstration providers shall work together to design a package of benefits or packages of benefits that can be provided to enrollees for an affordable monthly premium.

Subd. 6. Enrollee participation. The demonstration provider may terminate the coverage for an enrollee who has not made payment within the first ten calendar days of the month for which coverage is being purchased. The termination for nonpayment shall be retroactive to the first day of the month for which no payment has been made by the enrollee. The coalition will assure that participants receive adequate information about the demonstration nature of the project. The coalition will assist enrollees with finding alternative coverage at the conclusion of the demonstration project.

Subd. 7. Contract with coalition. The commissioner of human services shall contract with the coalition to administer and direct the demonstration project and to select and retain the demonstration provider for the duration of the project. This contract shall be for 24 months with an option to renew for no more than 12 months. This contract may be canceled without cause by the commissioner upon 90 days' written notice to the coalition or by the coalition with 90 days' written notice to the commissioner. The commissioner shall assure the cooperation of the county human services or social services staff in all counties participating in the project.

Subd. 8. Medical assistance and general assistance medical care coordination. To assure enrollees of uninterrupted delivery of health care services, the commissioner may pay the premium to the demonstration provider for persons who become eligible for medical assistance or general assistance medical care. To determine eligibility for medical assistance, any medical expenses for eligible services incurred by the demonstration provider shall be considered as evidence of satisfying the medical expense requirements of section 256B.056, subdivisions 4 and 5. To determine eligibility for general assistance medical care, any medical expenses for eligible services incurred by the demonstration provider shall be considered as evidence of satisfying the medical expense requirements of section 256D.03, subdivision 3.

Subd. 9. Waiver required. No part of the demonstration project shall become operational until any required waivers of appropriate federal regulations are obtained from the health care financing administration.

Subd. 10. Repealed, 1988 c 689 art 2 s 269

HIST: 1987 c 337 s 123; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 184,268; 1990 c 454 s 1; 1990 c 568 art 3 s 85

256B.74 Special payments.

Subdivision 1. Hospital reimbursement. Effective for services rendered on or after July 1, 1991, the commissioner shall reimburse outpatient hospital facility fees at 80 percent of calendar year 1990 submitted charges, not to exceed the Medicare upper payment limit. Services excepted from this payment methodology are emergency room facility fees, clinic facility fees, and those services for which there is a federal maximum allowable payment.

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1999 c 245 art 4 s 120

Subd. 3. Repealed, 2000 c 449 s 15

Subd. 4. Personal needs allowance. The commissioner shall provide cost of living increases in the personal needs allowance under section 256B.35, subdivision 1.

Subd. 5. Repealed, 1999 c 245 art 4 s 120

Subd. 6. Health plans. Effective for services rendered after July 1, 1991, the commissioner shall adjust the monthly medical assistance capitation rate cell established in contract by the amount necessary to accommodate the equivalent value of the reimbursement increase established under subdivisions 1, 2, and 5.

Subd. 7. Administrative cost. The commissioner may expend up to $1,700,000 for the administrative costs associated with sections 256.9657 and 256B.74.

Subd. 8. Repealed, 1992 c 513 art 7 s 135

Subd. 9. Repealed, 1992 c 513 art 7 s 135

Subd. 10. Implementation; rulemaking. The commissioner shall implement sections 256.9657 and 256B.74 on July 1, 1991, without complying with the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. The commissioner may adopt rules to implement Laws 1991, chapter 292, article 4. Rules adopted to implement Laws 1991, chapter 292, article 4, supersede any provisions adopted under the exemption from rulemaking requirements in this section.

HIST: 1991 c 292 art 4 s 67; 1992 c 464 art 1 s 30; 1992 c 513 art 7 s 123,124; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 53

256B.75 Hospital outpatient reimbursement.

(a) For outpatient hospital facility fee payments for services rendered on or after October 1, 1992, the commissioner of human services shall pay the lower of (1) submitted charge, or (2) 32 percent above the rate in effect on June 30, 1992, except for those services for which there is a federal maximum allowable payment. Effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2000, payment rates for nonsurgical outpatient hospital facility fees and emergency room facility fees shall be increased by eight percent over the rates in effect on December 31, 1999, except for those services for which there is a federal maximum allowable payment. Services for which there is a federal maximum allowable payment shall be paid at the lower of (1) submitted charge, or (2) the federal maximum allowable payment. Total aggregate payment for outpatient hospital facility fee services shall not exceed the Medicare upper limit. If it is determined that a provision of this section conflicts with existing or future requirements of the United States government with respect to federal financial participation in medical assistance, the federal requirements prevail. The commissioner may, in the aggregate, prospectively reduce payment rates to avoid reduced federal financial participation resulting from rates that are in excess of the Medicare upper limitations.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), payment for outpatient, emergency, and ambulatory surgery hospital facility fee services for critical access hospitals designated under section 144.1483, clause (11), shall be paid on a cost-based payment system that is based on the cost-finding methods and allowable costs of the Medicare program.

(c) Effective for services provided on or after July 1, 2002, rates that are based on the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system shall be replaced by a budget neutral prospective payment system that is derived using medical assistance data. The commissioner shall provide a proposal to the 2002 legislature to define and implement this provision.

HIST: 1992 c 513 art 7 s 130; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 77; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 53

256B.76 Physician and dental reimbursement.

(a) Effective for services rendered on or after October 1, 1992, the commissioner shall make payments for physician services as follows:

(1) payment for level one Health Care Finance Administration's common procedural coding system (HCPCS) codes titled "office and other outpatient services," "preventive medicine new and established patient," "delivery, antepartum, and postpartum care," "critical care," cesarean delivery and pharmacologic management provided to psychiatric patients, and HCPCS level three codes for enhanced services for prenatal high risk, shall be paid at the lower of (i) submitted charges, or (ii) 25 percent above the rate in effect on June 30, 1992. If the rate on any procedure code within these categories is different than the rate that would have been paid under the methodology in section 256B.74, subdivision 2, then the larger rate shall be paid;

(2) payments for all other services shall be paid at the lower of (i) submitted charges, or (ii) 15.4 percent above the rate in effect on June 30, 1992;

(3) all physician rates shall be converted from the 50th percentile of 1982 to the 50th percentile of 1989, less the percent in aggregate necessary to equal the above increases except that payment rates for home health agency services shall be the rates in effect on September 30, 1992;

(4) effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2000, payment rates for physician and professional services shall be increased by three percent over the rates in effect on December 31, 1999, except for home health agency and family planning agency services; and

(5) the increases in clause (4) shall be implemented January 1, 2000, for managed care.

(b) Effective for services rendered on or after October 1, 1992, the commissioner shall make payments for dental services as follows:

(1) dental services shall be paid at the lower of (i) submitted charges, or (ii) 25 percent above the rate in effect on June 30, 1992;

(2) dental rates shall be converted from the 50th percentile of 1982 to the 50th percentile of 1989, less the percent in aggregate necessary to equal the above increases;

(3) effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2000, payment rates for dental services shall be increased by three percent over the rates in effect on December 31, 1999;

(4) the commissioner shall award grants to community clinics or other nonprofit community organizations, political subdivisions, professional associations, or other organizations that demonstrate the ability to provide dental services effectively to public program recipients. Grants may be used to fund the costs related to coordinating access for recipients, developing and implementing patient care criteria, upgrading or establishing new facilities, acquiring furnishings or equipment, recruiting new providers, or other development costs that will improve access to dental care in a region. In awarding grants, the commissioner shall give priority to applicants that plan to serve areas of the state in which the number of dental providers is not currently sufficient to meet the needs of recipients of public programs or uninsured individuals. The commissioner shall consider the following in awarding the grants:

(i) potential to successfully increase access to an underserved population;

(ii) the ability to raise matching funds;

(iii) the long-term viability of the project to improve access beyond the period of initial funding;

(iv) the efficiency in the use of the funding; and

(v) the experience of the proposers in providing services to the target population.

The commissioner shall monitor the grants and may terminate a grant if the grantee does not increase dental access for public program recipients. The commissioner shall consider grants for the following:

(i) implementation of new programs or continued expansion of current access programs that have demonstrated success in providing dental services in underserved areas;

(ii) a pilot program for utilizing hygienists outside of a traditional dental office to provide dental hygiene services; and

(iii) a program that organizes a network of volunteer dentists, establishes a system to refer eligible individuals to volunteer dentists, and through that network provides donated dental care services to public program recipients or uninsured individuals;

(5) beginning October 1, 1999, the payment for tooth sealants and fluoride treatments shall be the lower of (i) submitted charge, or (ii) 80 percent of median 1997 charges;

(6) the increases listed in clauses (3) and (5) shall be implemented January 1, 2000, for managed care; and

(7) effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2002, payment for diagnostic examinations and dental x-rays provided to children under age 21 shall be the lower of (i) the submitted charge, or (ii) 85 percent of median 1999 charges.

(c) Effective for dental services rendered on or after January 1, 2002, the commissioner may, within the limits of available appropriation, increase reimbursements to dentists and dental clinics deemed by the commissioner to be critical access dental providers. Reimbursement to a critical access dental provider may be increased by not more than 50 percent above the reimbursement rate that would otherwise be paid to the provider. Payments to health plan companies shall be adjusted to reflect increased reimbursements to critical access dental providers as approved by the commissioner. In determining which dentists and dental clinics shall be deemed critical access dental providers, the commissioner shall review:

(1) the utilization rate in the service area in which the dentist or dental clinic operates for dental services to patients covered by medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or MinnesotaCare as their primary source of coverage;

(2) the level of services provided by the dentist or dental clinic to patients covered by medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or MinnesotaCare as their primary source of coverage; and

(3) whether the level of services provided by the dentist or dental clinic is critical to maintaining adequate levels of patient access within the service area.

In the absence of a critical access dental provider in a service area, the commissioner may designate a dentist or dental clinic as a critical access dental provider if the dentist or dental clinic is willing to provide care to patients covered by medical assistance, general assistance medical care, or MinnesotaCare at a level which significantly increases access to dental care in the service area.

(d) An entity that operates both a Medicare certified comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility and a facility which was certified prior to January 1, 1993, that is licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9570.2000 to 9570.3600, and for whom at least 33 percent of the clients receiving rehabilitation services in the most recent calendar year are medical assistance recipients, shall be reimbursed by the commissioner for rehabilitation services at rates that are 38 percent greater than the maximum reimbursement rate allowed under paragraph (a), clause (2), when those services are (1) provided within the comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility and (2) provided to residents of nursing facilities owned by the entity.

HIST: 1992 c 513 art 7 s 131; 1Sp1993 c 1 art 5 s 123; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 78; 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 54

256B.761 Reimbursement for mental health services.

Effective for services rendered on or after July 1, 2001, payment for medication management provided to psychiatric patients, outpatient mental health services, day treatment services, home-based mental health services, and family community support services shall be paid at the lower of (1) submitted charges, or (2) 75.6 percent of the 50th percentile of 1999 charges.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 9 s 43

256B.765 Provider rate increases.

(a) Effective July 1, 2001, within the limits of appropriations specifically for this purpose, the commissioner shall provide an annual inflation adjustment for the providers listed in paragraph (c). The index for the inflation adjustment must be based on the change in the Employment Cost Index for Private Industry Workers - Total Compensation forecasted by Data Resources, Inc., as forecasted in the fourth quarter of the calendar year preceding the fiscal year. The commissioner shall increase reimbursement or allocation rates by the percentage of this adjustment, and county boards shall adjust provider contracts as needed.

(b) The commissioner of finance shall include an annual inflationary adjustment in reimbursement rates for the providers listed in paragraph (c) using the inflation factor specified in paragraph (a) as a budget change request in each biennial detailed expenditure budget submitted to the legislature under section 16A.11.

(c) The annual adjustment under paragraph (a) shall be provided for home and community-based waiver services for persons with mental retardation or related conditions under section 256B.501; home and community-based waiver services for the elderly under section 256B.0915; waivered services under community alternatives for disabled individuals under section 256B.49; community alternative care waivered services under section 256B.49; traumatic brain injury waivered services under section 256B.49; nursing services and home health services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 6a; personal care services and nursing supervision of personal care services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a; private duty nursing services under section 256B.0625, subdivision 7; day training and habilitation services for adults with mental retardation or related conditions under sections 252.40 to 252.46; physical therapy services under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 8, and 256D.03, subdivision 4; occupational therapy services under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 8a, and 256D.03, subdivision 4; speech-language therapy services under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390; respiratory therapy services under section 256D.03, subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0295; alternative care services under section 256B.0913; adult residential program grants under Minnesota Rules, parts 9535.2000 to 9535.3000; adult and family community support grants under Minnesota Rules, parts 9535.1700 to 9535.1760; semi-independent living services under section 252.275 including SILS funding under county social services grants formerly funded under chapter 256I; and community support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing adults with mental illness who use or wish to use sign language as their primary means of communication.

HIST: 1999 c 245 art 4 s 79

256B.77 Coordinated service delivery system for people with disabilities.

Subdivision 1. Demonstration project for people with disabilities. (a) The commissioner of human services, in cooperation with county authorities, shall develop and implement a demonstration project to create a coordinated service delivery system in which the full medical assistance benefit set for disabled persons eligible for medical assistance is provided and funded on a capitated basis. The demonstration period shall be a minimum of three years.

(b) Each demonstration site shall, under county authority, establish a local group to assist the commissioner in planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating the coordinated service delivery system in their area. This local group shall include county agencies, providers, consumers, family members, advocates, tribal governments, a local representative of labor, and advocacy organizations, and may include health plan companies. Consumers, families, and consumer representatives must be involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation processes for the demonstration project.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given:

(a) "Acute care" means hospital, physician, and other health and dental services covered in the medical assistance benefit set that are not specified in the intergovernmental contract or service delivery contract as continuing care services.

(b) "Additional services" means services developed and provided through the county administrative entity or service delivery organization, which are in addition to the medical assistance benefit set.

(c) "Advocate" means an individual who:

(1) has been authorized by the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative to help the enrollee understand information presented and to speak on the enrollee's behalf, based on directions and decisions by the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative; and

(2) represents only the enrollee and the enrollee's legal representative.

(d) "Advocacy organization" means an organization whose primary purpose is to advocate for the needs of persons with disabilities.

(e) "Alternative services" means services developed and provided through the county administrative entity or service delivery organization that are not part of the medical assistance benefit set.

(f) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.

(g) "Continuing care" means any services, including long-term support services, covered in the medical assistance benefit set that are not specified in the intergovernmental contract or service delivery contract as acute care.

(h) "County administrative entity" means the county administrative structure defined and designated by the county authority to implement the demonstration project under the direction of the county authority.

(i) "County authority" means the board of county commissioners or a single entity representing multiple boards of county commissioners.

(j) "Demonstration period" means the period of time during which county administrative entities or service delivery organizations will provide services to enrollees.

(k) "Demonstration site" means the geographic area in which eligible individuals may be included in the demonstration project.

(l) "Department" means the department of human services.

(m) "Emergency" means a condition that if not immediately treated could cause a person serious physical or mental disability, continuation of severe pain, or death. Labor and delivery is an emergency if it meets this definition.

(n) "Enrollee" means an eligible individual who is enrolled in the demonstration project.

(o) "Informed choice" means a voluntary decision made by the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative, after becoming familiar with the alternatives, and having been provided sufficient relevant written and oral information at an appropriate comprehension level and in a manner consistent with the enrollee's or the enrollee's legal representative's primary mode of communication.

(p) "Informed consent" means the written agreement, or an agreement as documented in the record, by a competent enrollee, or an enrollee's legal representative, who:

(1) has the capacity to make reasoned decisions based on relevant information;

(2) is making decisions voluntarily and without coercion; and

(3) has knowledge to make informed choice.

(q) "Intergovernmental contract" means the agreement between the commissioner and the county authority.

(r) "Legal representative" means an individual who is legally authorized to provide informed consent or make informed choices on a person's behalf. A legal representative may be one of the following individuals:

(1) the parent of a minor who has not been emancipated;

(2) a court-appointed guardian or conservator of a person who is 18 years of age or older, in areas where legally authorized to make decisions;

(3) a guardian ad litem or special guardian or conservator, in areas where legally authorized to make decisions;

(4) legal counsel if so specified by the person; or

(5) any other legally authorized individual.

The county administrative entity is prohibited from acting as legal representative for any enrollee, as long as the provisions of subdivision 15 are funded.

(s) "Life domain areas" include, but are not limited to: home, family, education, employment, social environment, psychological and emotional health, self-care, independence, physical health, need for legal representation and legal needs, financial needs, safety, and cultural identification and spiritual needs.

(t) "Medical assistance benefit set" means the services covered under this chapter and accompanying rules which are provided according to the definition of medical necessity in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0175, subpart 25.

(u) "Outcome" means the targeted behavior, action, or status of the enrollee that can be observed and or measured.

(v) "Personal support plan" means a document agreed to and signed by the enrollee and the enrollee's legal representative, if any, which describes:

(1) the assessed needs and strengths of the enrollee;

(2) the outcomes chosen by the enrollee or their legal representative;

(3) the amount, type, setting, start date, duration, and frequency of services and supports authorized by the county administrative entity or service delivery organization to achieve the chosen outcomes;

(4) a description of needed services and supports that are not the responsibility of the county administrative entity or service delivery organization and plans for addressing those needs;

(5) plans for referring to and coordinating between all agencies or individuals providing needed services and supports;

(6) the use of regulated treatment; and

(7) the transition of a child to the adult service system.

(w) "Regulated treatment" means any behaviorally altering medication of any classification or any aversive or deprivation procedure as defined in rules or statutes applicable to eligible individuals.

(x) "Service delivery contract" means the agreement between the commissioner or the county authority and the service delivery organization in those areas in which the county authority has provided written approval.

(y) "Service delivery organization" means an entity that is licensed as a health maintenance organization under chapter 62D or a community integrated service network under chapter 62N and is under contract with the commissioner or a county authority to participate in the demonstration project. If authorized in contract by the commissioner or the county authority, a service delivery organization participating in the demonstration project shall have the duties, responsibilities, and obligations defined under subdivisions 8, 9, 18, and 19.

(z) "Urgent situation" means circumstances in which care is needed as soon as possible, usually with 24 hours, to protect the health of an enrollee.

Subd. 3. Assurances to the commissioner of health. A county authority that elects to participate in a demonstration project for people with disabilities under this section is not required to obtain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D or 62N. A county authority that elects to participate in a demonstration project for people with disabilities under this section must assure the commissioner of health that the requirements of chapters 62D and 62N, and section 256B.692, subdivision 2, are met. All enforcement and rulemaking powers available under chapters 62D, 62J, 62M, 62N, and 62Q are granted to the commissioner of health with respect to the county authorities that contract with the commissioner to purchase services in a demonstration project for people with disabilities under this section.

Subd. 4. Federal waivers. The commissioner, in consultation with county authorities, shall request any authority from the United States Department of Health and Human Services that is necessary to implement the demonstration project under the medical assistance program; and authority to combine Medicaid and Medicare funding for service delivery to eligible individuals who are also eligible for Medicare, only if this authority does not preclude county authority participation under the waiver. Implementation of these programs may begin without authority to include Medicare funding. The commissioner may authorize county authorities to begin enrollment of eligible individuals upon federal approval but no earlier than July 1, 1998.

Subd. 5. Demonstration sites. The commissioner shall designate up to two demonstration sites with the approval of the county authority. Demonstration sites may include one county or a multicounty group. At least one of the sites shall implement a model specifically addressing the needs of eligible individuals with physical disabilities. By February 1, 1998, the commissioner and the county authorities shall submit to the chairs of the senate committee on health and family security and the house committee on health and human services a phased enrollment plan to ensure an orderly transition which protects the health and safety of enrollees and ensures continuity of services.

Subd. 6. Responsibilities of the county authority. (a) The commissioner may execute an intergovernmental contract with any county authority that demonstrates the ability to arrange for and coordinate services for enrollees covered under this section according to the terms and conditions specified by the commissioner. With the written consent of the county authority, the commissioner may issue a request for proposals for service delivery organizations to provide portions of the medical assistance benefit set not contracted for by the county authority. County authorities that do not contract for the full medical assistance benefit set must ensure coordination with the entities responsible for the remainder of the covered services.

(b) No less than 90 days before the intergovernmental contract is executed, the county authority shall submit to the commissioner an initial proposal on how it will address the areas listed in this subdivision and subdivisions 1, 7, 8, 9, 12, 18, and 19. The county authority shall submit to the commissioner annual reports describing its progress in addressing these areas.

(c) Each county authority shall develop policies to address conflicts of interest, including public guardianship and representative payee issues.

(d) Each county authority shall annually evaluate the effectiveness of the service coordination provided according to subdivision 12 and shall take remedial or corrective action if the service coordination does not fulfill the requirements of that subdivision.

Subd. 7. Eligibility and enrollment. The commissioner, in consultation with the county authority, shall develop a process for enrolling eligible individuals in the demonstration project. A county or counties may limit enrollment in the demonstration project to one or more of the disability populations described in subdivision 7a, paragraph (b). Enrollment into county administrative entities and service delivery organizations shall be conducted according to the terms of the federal waiver. Enrollment of eligible individuals under the demonstration project may be phased in with approval of the commissioner. The commissioner shall ensure that eligibility for medical assistance and enrollment for the person are determined by individuals outside of the county administrative entity.

Subd. 7a. Eligible individuals. (a) Persons are eligible for the demonstration project as provided in this subdivision.

(b) "Eligible individuals" means those persons living in the demonstration site who are eligible for medical assistance and are disabled based on a disability determination under section 256B.055, subdivisions 7 and 12, or who are eligible for medical assistance and have been diagnosed as having:

(1) serious and persistent mental illness as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 20;

(2) severe emotional disturbance as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 6; or

(3) mental retardation, or being a mentally retarded person as defined in section 252A.02, or a related condition as defined in section 252.27, subdivision 1a.

Other individuals may be included at the option of the county authority based on agreement with the commissioner.

(c) Eligible individuals include individuals in excluded time status, as defined in chapter 256G. Enrollees in excluded time at the time of enrollment shall remain in excluded time status as long as they live in the demonstration site and shall be eligible for 90 days after placement outside the demonstration site if they move to excluded time status in a county within Minnesota other than their county of financial responsibility.

(d) A person who is a sexual psychopathic personality as defined in section 253B.02, subdivision 18a, or a sexually dangerous person as defined in section 253B.02, subdivision 18b, is excluded from enrollment in the demonstration project.

Subd. 7b. American Indian recipients. (a) Beginning on or after July 1, 1999, for American Indian recipients of medical assistance who are required to enroll with a county administrative entity or service delivery organization under subdivision 7, medical assistance shall cover health care services provided at American Indian health services facilities and facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization under funding authorized by United States Code, title 25, sections 450f to 450n, or title III of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law Number 93-638, if those services would otherwise be covered under section 256B.0625. Payments for services provided under this subdivision shall be made on a fee-for-service basis, and may, at the option of the tribe or tribal organization, be made according to rates authorized under sections 256.969, subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 34. Implementation of this purchasing model is contingent on federal approval.

(b) The commissioner of human services, in consultation with tribal governments, shall develop a plan for tribes to assist in the enrollment process for American Indian recipients enrolled in the demonstration project for people with disabilities under this section. This plan also shall address how tribes will be included in ensuring the coordination of care for American Indian recipients between Indian health service or tribal providers and other providers.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "American Indian" has the meaning given to persons to whom services will be provided for in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 36.12.

Subd. 8. Responsibilities of the county administrative entity. (a) The county administrative entity shall meet the requirements of this subdivision, unless the county authority or the commissioner, with written approval of the county authority, enters into a service delivery contract with a service delivery organization for any or all of the requirements contained in this subdivision.

(b) The county administrative entity shall enroll eligible individuals regardless of health or disability status.

(c) The county administrative entity shall provide all enrollees timely access to the medical assistance benefit set. Alternative services and additional services are available to enrollees at the option of the county administrative entity and may be provided if specified in the personal support plan. County authorities are not required to seek prior authorization from the department as required by the laws and rules governing medical assistance.

(d) The county administrative entity shall cover necessary services as a result of an emergency without prior authorization, even if the services were rendered outside of the provider network.

(e) The county administrative entity shall authorize necessary and appropriate services when needed and requested by the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative in response to an urgent situation. Enrollees shall have 24-hour access to urgent care services coordinated by experienced disability providers who have information about enrollees' needs and conditions.

(f) The county administrative entity shall accept the capitation payment from the commissioner in return for the provision of services for enrollees.

(g) The county administrative entity shall maintain internal grievance and complaint procedures, including an expedited informal complaint process in which the county administrative entity must respond to verbal complaints within ten calendar days, and a formal grievance process, in which the county administrative entity must respond to written complaints within 30 calendar days.

(h) The county administrative entity shall provide a certificate of coverage, upon enrollment, to each enrollee and the enrollee's legal representative, if any, which describes the benefits covered by the county administrative entity, any limitations on those benefits, and information about providers and the service delivery network. This information must also be made available to prospective enrollees. This certificate must be approved by the commissioner.

(i) The county administrative entity shall present evidence of an expedited process to approve exceptions to benefits, provider network restrictions, and other plan limitations under appropriate circumstances.

(j) The county administrative entity shall provide enrollees or their legal representatives with written notice of their appeal rights under subdivision 16, and of ombudsman and advocacy programs under subdivisions 13 and 14, at the following times: upon enrollment, upon submission of a written complaint, when a service is reduced, denied, or terminated, or when renewal of authorization for ongoing service is refused.

(k) The county administrative entity shall determine immediate needs, including services, support, and assessments, within 30 calendar days after enrollment, or within a shorter time frame if specified in the intergovernmental contract.

(l) The county administrative entity shall assess the need for services of new enrollees within 60 calendar days after enrollment, or within a shorter time frame if specified in the intergovernmental contract, and periodically reassess the need for services for all enrollees.

(m) The county administrative entity shall ensure the development of a personal support plan for each person within 60 calendar days of enrollment, or within a shorter time frame if specified in the intergovernmental contract, unless otherwise agreed to by the enrollee and the enrollee's legal representative, if any. Until a personal support plan is developed and agreed to by the enrollee, enrollees must have access to the same amount, type, setting, duration, and frequency of covered services that they had at the time of enrollment unless other covered services are needed. For an enrollee who is not receiving covered services at the time of enrollment and for enrollees whose personal support plan is being revised, access to the medical assistance benefit set must be assured until a personal support plan is developed or revised. If an enrollee chooses not to develop a personal support plan, the enrollee will be subject to the network and prior authorization requirements of the county administrative entity or service delivery organization 60 days after enrollment. An enrollee can choose to have a personal support plan developed at any time. The personal support plan must be based on choices, preferences, and assessed needs and strengths of the enrollee. The service coordinator shall develop the personal support plan, in consultation with the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative and other individuals requested by the enrollee. The personal support plan must be updated as needed or as requested by the enrollee. Enrollees may choose not to have a personal support plan.

(n) The county administrative entity shall ensure timely authorization, arrangement, and continuity of needed and covered supports and services.

(o) The county administrative entity shall offer service coordination that fulfills the responsibilities under subdivision 12 and is appropriate to the enrollee's needs, choices, and preferences, including a choice of service coordinator.

(p) The county administrative entity shall contract with schools and other agencies as appropriate to provide otherwise covered medically necessary medical assistance services as described in an enrollee's individual family support plan, as described in sections 125A.26 to 125A.48, or individual education plan, as described in chapter 125A.

(q) The county administrative entity shall develop and implement strategies, based on consultation with affected groups, to respect diversity and ensure culturally competent service delivery in a manner that promotes the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual well-being of enrollees and preserves the dignity of individuals, families, and their communities.

(r) When an enrollee changes county authorities, county administrative entities shall ensure coordination with the entity that is assuming responsibility for administering the medical assistance benefit set to ensure continuity of supports and services for the enrollee.

(s) The county administrative entity shall comply with additional requirements as specified in the intergovernmental contract.

(t) To the extent that alternatives are approved under subdivision 17, county administrative entities must provide for the health and safety of enrollees and protect the rights to privacy and to provide informed consent.

(u) Prepaid health plans serving counties with a nonprofit community clinic or community health services agency must contract with the clinic or agency to provide services to clients who choose to receive services from the clinic or agency, if the clinic or agency agrees to payment rates that are competitive with rates paid to other health plan providers for the same or similar services.

For purposes of this paragraph, "nonprofit community clinic" includes, but is not limited to, a community mental health center as defined in sections 245.62 and 256B.0625, subdivision 5.

Subd. 9. Consumer choice and safeguards. (a) The commissioner may require all eligible individuals to obtain services covered under this chapter through county authorities. Enrollees shall be given choices among a range of available providers with expertise in serving persons of their age and with their category of disability. If the county authority is also a provider of services covered under the demonstration project, other than service coordination, the enrollee shall be given the choice of at least one other provider of that service. The commissioner shall ensure that all enrollees have continued access to medically necessary covered services.

(b) The commissioner must ensure that a set of enrollee safeguards in the categories of access, choice, comprehensive benefits, access to specialist care, disclosure of financial incentives to providers, prohibition of exclusive provider contracting and gag clauses, legal representation, guardianship, representative payee, quality, rights and appeals, privacy, data collection, and confidentiality are in place prior to enrollment of eligible individuals.

(c) If multiple service delivery organizations are offered for acute or continuing care within a demonstration site, enrollees shall be given a choice of these organizations. A choice is required if the county authority operates its own health maintenance organization, community integrated service network, or similar plan. Enrollees shall be given opportunities to change enrollment in these organizations within 12 months following initial enrollment into the demonstration project and shall also be offered an annual open enrollment period, during which they are permitted to change their service delivery organization.

(d) Enrollees shall have the option to change their primary care provider once per month.

(e) The commissioner may waive the choice of provider requirements in paragraph (a) or the choice of service delivery organization requirements in paragraph (c) if the county authority can demonstrate that, despite reasonable efforts, no other provider of the service or service delivery organization can be made available within the cost and quality requirements of the demonstration project.

Subd. 10. Capitation payment. (a) The commissioner shall pay a capitation payment to the county authority and, when applicable under subdivision 6, paragraph (a), to the service delivery organization for each medical assistance eligible enrollee. The commissioner shall develop capitation payment rates for the initial contract period for each demonstration site in consultation with an independent actuary, to ensure that the cost of services under the demonstration project does not exceed the estimated cost for medical assistance services for the covered population under the fee-for-service system for the demonstration period. For each year of the demonstration project, the capitation payment rate shall be based on 96 percent of the projected per person costs that would otherwise have been paid under medical assistance fee-for-service during each of those years. Rates shall be adjusted within the limits of the available risk adjustment technology, as mandated by section 62Q.03. In addition, the commissioner shall implement appropriate risk and savings sharing provisions with county administrative entities and, when applicable under subdivision 6, paragraph (a), service delivery organizations within the projected budget limits. Capitation rates shall be adjusted, at least annually, to include any rate increases and payments for expanded or newly covered services for eligible individuals. The initial demonstration project rate shall include an amount in addition to the fee-for-service payments to adjust for underutilization of dental services. Any savings beyond those allowed for the county authority, county administrative entity, or service delivery organization shall be first used to meet the unmet needs of eligible individuals. Payments to providers participating in the project are exempt from the requirements of sections 256.966 and 256B.03, subdivision 2.

(b) The commissioner shall monitor and evaluate annually the effect of the discount on consumers, the county authority, and providers of disability services. Findings shall be reported and recommendations made, as appropriate, to ensure that the discount effect does not adversely affect the ability of the county administrative entity or providers of services to provide appropriate services to eligible individuals, and does not result in cost shifting of eligible individuals to the county authority.

(c) For risk-sharing to occur under this subdivision, the aggregate fee-for-service cost of covered services provided by the county administrative entity under this section must exceed the aggregate sum of capitation payments made to the county administrative entity under this section. The county authority is required to maintain its current level of nonmedical assistance spending on enrollees. If the county authority spends less in nonmedical assistance dollars on enrollees than it spent the year prior to the contract year, the amount of underspending shall be deducted from the aggregate fee-for-service cost of covered services. The commissioner shall then compare the fee-for-service costs and capitation payments related to the services provided for the term of this contract. The commissioner shall base its calculation of the fee-for-service costs on application of the medical assistance fee schedule to services identified on the county administrative entity's encounter claims submitted to the commissioner. The aggregate fee-for-service cost shall not include any third-party recoveries or cost-avoided amounts.

If the commissioner finds that the aggregate fee-for-service cost is greater than the sum of the capitation payments, the commissioner shall settle according to the following schedule:

(1) For the first contract year for each project, the commissioner shall pay the county administrative entity 50 percent of the difference between the sum of the capitation payments and 100 percent of projected fee-for-service costs. For aggregate fee-for-service costs in excess of 100 percent of projected fee-for-service costs, the commissioner shall pay 25 percent of the difference between the aggregate fee-for-service costs and the projected fee-for-service costs, up to 104 percent of the projected fee-for-service costs. The county administrative entity shall be responsible for all costs in excess of 104 percent of projected fee-for-service costs.

(2) For the second contract year for each project, the commissioner shall pay the county administrative entity 37.5 percent of the difference between the sum of the capitation payments and 100 percent of projected fee-for-service costs. The county administrative entity shall be responsible for all costs in excess of 100 percent of projected fee-for-service costs.

(3) For the third contract year for each project, the commissioner shall pay the county administrative entity 25 percent of the difference between the sum of the capitation payments and 100 percent of projected fee-for-service costs. The county administrative entity shall be responsible for all costs in excess of 100 percent of projected fee-for-service costs.

(4) For the fourth and subsequent contract years for each project, the county administrative entity shall be responsible for all costs in excess of the capitation payments.

(d) In addition to other payments under this subdivision, the commissioner may increase payments by up to 0.25 percent of the projected per person costs that would otherwise have been paid under medical assistance fee-for-service. The commissioner may make the increased payments to:

(1) offset rate increases for regional treatment services under subdivision 22 which are higher than was expected by the commissioner when the capitation was set at 96 percent; and

(2) implement incentives to encourage appropriate, high quality, efficient services.

Subd. 11. Integration of funding sources. The county authority may integrate other local, state, and federal funding sources with medical assistance funding. The commissioner's approval is required for integration of state and federal funds but not for local funds. During the demonstration project period, county authorities must maintain the level of local funds expended during the previous calendar year for populations covered in the demonstration project. Excluding the state share of Medicaid payments, state appropriations for state-operated services shall not be integrated unless specifically approved by the legislature. The commissioner may approve integration of other state and federal funding if the intergovernmental contract includes assurances that the people who would have been served by these funds will receive comparable or better services. The commissioner may withdraw approval for integration of state and federal funds if the county authority does not comply with these assurances. If the county authority chooses to integrate funding, it must comply with the reporting requirements of the commissioner, as specified in the intergovernmental contract, to account for federal and state Medicaid expenditures and expenditures of local funds. The commissioner, upon the request and concurrence of a county authority, may transfer state grant funds that would otherwise be made available to the county authority to provide continuing care for enrollees to the medical assistance account and, within the limits of federal authority and available federal funding, the commissioner shall adjust the capitation based on the amount of this transfer.

Subd. 12. Service coordination. (a) For purposes of this section, "service coordinator" means an individual selected by the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative and authorized by the county administrative entity or service delivery organization to work in partnership with the enrollee to develop, coordinate, and in some instances, provide supports and services identified in the personal support plan. Service coordinators may only provide services and supports if the enrollee is informed of potential conflicts of interest, is given alternatives, and gives informed consent. Eligible service coordinators are individuals age 18 or older who meet the qualifications as described in paragraph (b). Enrollees, their legal representatives, or their advocates are eligible to be service coordinators if they have the capabilities to perform the activities and functions outlined in paragraph (b). Providers licensed under chapter 245A to provide residential services, or providers who are providing residential services covered under the group residential housing program may not act as service coordinator for enrollees for whom they provide residential services. This does not apply to providers of short-term detoxification services. Each county administrative entity or service delivery organization may develop further criteria for eligible vendors of service coordination during the demonstration period and shall determine whom it contracts with or employs to provide service coordination. County administrative entities and service delivery organizations may pay enrollees or their advocates or legal representatives for service coordination activities.

(b) The service coordinator shall act as a facilitator, working in partnership with the enrollee to ensure that their needs are identified and addressed. The level of involvement of the service coordinator shall depend on the needs and desires of the enrollee. The service coordinator shall have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to, and is responsible for:

(1) arranging for an initial assessment, and periodic reassessment as necessary, of supports and services based on the enrollee's strengths, needs, choices, and preferences in life domain areas;

(2) developing and updating the personal support plan based on relevant ongoing assessment;

(3) arranging for and coordinating the provisions of supports and services, including knowledgeable and skilled specialty services and prevention and early intervention services, within the limitations negotiated with the county administrative entity or service delivery organization;

(4) assisting the enrollee and the enrollee's legal representative, if any, to maximize informed choice of and control over services and supports and to exercise the enrollee's rights and advocate on behalf of the enrollee;

(5) monitoring the progress toward achieving the enrollee's outcomes in order to evaluate and adjust the timeliness and adequacy of the implementation of the personal support plan;

(6) facilitating meetings and effectively collaborating with a variety of agencies and persons, including attending individual family service plan and individual education plan meetings when requested by the enrollee or the enrollee's legal representative;

(7) soliciting and analyzing relevant information;

(8) communicating effectively with the enrollee and with other individuals participating in the enrollee's plan;

(9) educating and communicating effectively with the enrollee about good health care practices and risk to the enrollee's health with certain behaviors;

(10) having knowledge of basic enrollee protection requirements, including data privacy;

(11) informing, educating, and assisting the enrollee in identifying available service providers and accessing needed resources and services beyond the limitations of the medical assistance benefit set covered services; and

(12) providing other services as identified in the personal support plan.

(c) For the demonstration project, the qualifications and standards for service coordination in this section shall replace comparable existing provisions of existing statutes and rules governing case management for eligible individuals.

(d) The provisions of this subdivision apply only to the demonstration sites designated by the commissioner under subdivision 5. All other demonstration sites must comply with laws and rules governing case management services for eligible individuals in effect when the site begins the demonstration project.

Subd. 13. Ombudsman. Enrollees shall have access to ombudsman services established in section 256B.031, subdivision 6, and advocacy services provided by the ombudsman for mental health and mental retardation established in sections 245.91 to 245.97. The managed care ombudsman and the ombudsman for mental health and mental retardation shall coordinate services provided to avoid duplication of services. For purposes of the demonstration project, the powers and responsibilities of the office of the ombudsman for mental health and mental retardation, as provided in sections 245.91 to 245.97 are expanded to include all eligible individuals, health plan companies, agencies, and providers participating in the demonstration project.

Subd. 14. External advocacy. In addition to ombudsman services, enrollees shall have access to advocacy services on a local or regional basis. The purpose of external advocacy includes providing individual advocacy services for enrollees who have complaints or grievances with the county administrative entity, service delivery organization, or a service provider; assisting enrollees to understand the service delivery system and select providers and, if applicable, a service delivery organization; and understand and exercise their rights as an enrollee. External advocacy contractors must demonstrate that they have the expertise to advocate on behalf of eligible individuals and are independent of the commissioner, county authority, county administrative entity, service delivery organization, or any service provider within the demonstration project.

These advocacy services shall be provided through the ombudsman for mental health and mental retardation directly, or under contract with private, nonprofit organizations, with funding provided through the demonstration project. The funding shall be provided annually to the ombudsman's office. Funding for external advocacy shall be provided through general fund appropriations. This funding is in addition to the capitation payment available under subdivision 10.

Subd. 15. Public guardianship alternatives. Each county authority with enrollees under public guardianship shall develop a plan to discharge all those public guardianships and establish appropriate private alternatives during the demonstration period.

The commissioner shall provide county authorities with funding for public guardianship alternatives during the first year of the demonstration project based on a proposal to establish private alternatives for a specific number of enrollees under public guardianship. Funding in subsequent years shall be based on the county authority's performance in achieving discharges of public guardianship and establishing appropriate alternatives. The commissioner may establish fiscal incentives to encourage county activity in this area. For each year of the demonstration period, an appropriation is available to the commissioner based on 0.2 percent of the projected per person costs that would otherwise have been paid under medical assistance fee-for-service for that year. This funding is in addition to the capitation payment available under subdivision 10.

Subd. 16. Appeals. Enrollees have the appeal rights specified in section 256.045. Enrollees may request the conciliation process as outlined under section 256.045, subdivision 4a. If an enrollee appeals in writing to the state agency on or before the latter of the effective day of the proposed action or the tenth day after they have received the decision of the county administrative entity or service delivery organization to reduce, suspend, terminate, or deny continued authorization for ongoing services which the enrollee had been receiving, the county administrative entity or service delivery organization must continue to authorize services at a level equal to the level it previously authorized until the state agency renders its decision.

Subd. 17. Approval of alternatives. The commissioner may approve alternatives to administrative rules if the commissioner determines that appropriate alternative measures are in place to protect the health, safety, and rights of enrollees and to assure that services are of sufficient quality to produce the outcomes described in the personal support plans. Prior approved waivers, if needed by the demonstration project, shall be extended. The commissioner shall not waive the rights or procedural protections under sections 245.825; 245.91 to 245.97; 252.41, subdivision 9; 256B.092, subdivision 10; 626.556; and 626.557; or procedures for the monitoring of psychotropic medications. Prohibited practices as defined in statutes and rules governing service delivery to eligible individuals are applicable to services delivered under this demonstration project.

Subd. 18. Reporting. Each county authority and service delivery organization, and their contracted providers, shall submit information as required by the commissioner in the intergovernmental contract or service delivery contract, including information about complaints, appeals, outcomes, costs, including spending on services, service utilization, identified unmet needs, services provided, rates of out-of-home placement of children, institutionalization, commitments, number of public guardianships discharged and alternatives to public guardianship established, the use of emergency services, and enrollee satisfaction. This information must be made available to enrollees and the public. A county authority under an intergovernmental contract and a service delivery organization under a service delivery contract to provide services must provide the most current listing of the providers who are participating in the plan. This listing must be provided to enrollees and be made available to the public. The commissioner, county authorities, and service delivery organizations shall also made all contracts and subcontracts related to the demonstration project available to the public.

Subd. 19. Quality management and evaluation. County authorities and service delivery organizations participating in this demonstration project shall provide information to the department as specified in the intergovernmental contract or service delivery contract for the purpose of project evaluation. This information may include both process and outcome evaluation measures across areas that shall include enrollee satisfaction, service delivery, service coordination, individual outcomes, and costs. An independent evaluation of each demonstration site shall be conducted prior to expansion of the demonstration project to other sites.

Subd. 20. Limitation on reimbursement. The county administrative entity or service delivery organization may limit any reimbursement to providers not employed by or under contract with the county administrative entity or service delivery organization to the medical assistance rates paid by the commissioner of human services to providers for services to recipients not participating in the demonstration project.

Subd. 21. County social services obligations. For services that are outside of the medical assistance benefit set for enrollees in excluded time status, the county of financial responsibility must negotiate the provisions and payment of services with the county of service prior to the provision of services.

Subd. 22. Minnesota Commitment Act services. The county administrative entity or service delivery organization is financially responsible for all services for enrollees covered by the medical assistance benefit set and ordered by the court under the Minnesota Commitment Act, chapter 253B. The county authority shall seek input from the county administrative entity or service delivery organization in giving the court information about services the enrollee needs and least restrictive alternatives. The court order for services is deemed to comply with the definition of medical necessity in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0175. The financial responsibility of the county administrative entity or service delivery organization for regional treatment center services to an enrollee while committed to the regional treatment center is limited to 45 days following commitment. Voluntary hospitalization for enrollees at regional treatment centers must be covered by the county administrative entity or service delivery organization if deemed medically necessary by the county administrative entity or service delivery organization. The regional treatment center shall not accept a voluntary admission of an enrollee without the authorization of the county administrative entity or service delivery organization. An enrollee will maintain enrollee status while receiving treatment under the Minnesota Commitment Act or voluntary services in a regional treatment center. For enrollees committed to the regional treatment center longer than 45 days, the commissioner may adjust the aggregate capitation payments, as specified in the intergovernmental contract or service delivery contract.

Subd. 23. Stakeholder committee. The commissioner shall appoint a stakeholder committee to review and provide recommendations on specifications for demonstration projects; intergovernmental contracts; service delivery contracts; alternatives to administrative rules proposed under subdivision 17; specific recommendations for legislation required for the implementation of this project, including changes to statutes; waivers of choice granted under subdivision 9, paragraph (e); and other demonstration project policies and procedures as requested by the commissioner. The stakeholder committee shall include representatives from the following stakeholders: consumers and their family members, advocates, advocacy organizations, service providers, state government, counties, and health plan companies. This stakeholder committee shall be in operation for the demonstration period. The county authorities shall continue to meet with state government to develop the intergovernmental partnership.

Subd. 24. Report to the legislature. (a) By February 15 of each year of the demonstration project, the commissioner shall report to the legislature on the progress of the demonstration project, including enrollee outcomes, enrollee satisfaction, fiscal information, other information as described in subdivision 18, recommendations from the stakeholder committee, and descriptions of any rules or other administrative procedures waived.

(b) The commissioner, in consultation with the counties and the stakeholder committee, shall study and define the county government function of service coordination and make recommendations to the legislature in the report due February 15, 1998.

Subd. 25. Severability. If any subdivision of this section is not approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the commissioner, with the approval of the county authority, retains the authority to implement the remaining subdivisions.

Subd. 26. Southern Minnesota health initiative pilot project. When the commissioner contracts under subdivisions 1 and 6, paragraph (a), with the joint powers board for the southern Minnesota health initiative (SMHI) to participate in the demonstration project for persons with disabilities under subdivision 5, the commissioner shall also require health plans serving counties participating in the southern Minnesota health initiative under this section to contract with the southern Minnesota health initiative joint powers board to provide covered mental health and chemical dependency services for the nonelderly/nondisabled persons who reside in one of the counties and who are required or elect to participate in the prepaid medical assistance and general assistance medical care programs. Enrollees may obtain covered mental health and chemical dependency services through the SMHI or through other health plan contractors. Participation of the nonelderly/nondisabled with the SMHI is voluntary. The commissioner shall identify a monthly per capita payment amount that health plans are required to pay to the SMHI for all nonelderly/nondisabled recipients who choose the SMHI for their mental health and chemical dependency services.

Subd. 27. Service coordination transition. Demonstration sites designated under subdivision 5, with the permission of an eligible individual, may implement the provisions of subdivision 12 beginning 60 calendar days prior to an individual's enrollment. This implementation may occur prior to the enrollment of eligible individuals, but is restricted to eligible individuals.

HIST: 1997 c 203 art 8 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 1998 c 407 art 4 s 51-54; 1999 c 245 art 4 s 80-85; 2000 c 464 art 2 s 3; 2000 c 474 s 17

256B.78 Medical assistance demonstration project for family planning services.

(a) The commissioner of human services shall establish a medical assistance demonstration project to determine whether improved access to coverage of prepregnancy family planning services reduces medical assistance and MFIP costs.

(b) This section is effective upon federal approval of the demonstration project.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 2 s 55

256B.81 Mental health provider appeal process.

If a county contract or certification is required to enroll as an authorized provider of mental health services under medical assistance, and if a county refuses to grant the necessary contract or certification, the provider may appeal the county decision to the commissioner. A recipient may initiate an appeal on behalf of a provider who has been denied certification. The commissioner shall determine whether the provider meets applicable standards under state laws and rules based on an independent review of the facts, including comments from the county review. If the commissioner finds that the provider meets the applicable standards, the commissioner shall enroll the provider as an authorized provider. The commissioner shall develop procedures for providers and recipients to appeal a county decision to refuse to enroll a provider. After the commissioner makes a decision regarding an appeal, the county, provider, or recipient may request that the commissioner reconsider the commissioner's initial decision. The commissioner's reconsideration decision is final and not subject to further appeal.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 9 s 44

256B.82 Prepaid plans and mental health rehabilitative services.

Medical assistance and MinnesotaCare prepaid health plans may include coverage for adult mental health rehabilitative services under section 256B.0623 and adult mental health crisis response services under section 256B.0624, beginning January 1, 2004.

By January 15, 2003, the commissioner shall report to the legislature how these services should be included in prepaid plans. The commissioner shall consult with mental health advocates, health plans, and counties in developing this report. The report recommendations must include a plan to ensure coordination of these services between health plans and counties, assure recipient access to essential community providers, and monitor the health plans' delivery of services through utilization review and quality standards.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 9 s 45

256B.83 Maintenance of effort for certain mental health services.

Any net increase in revenue to the county as a result of the change in section 256B.0623 or 256B.0624 must be used to provide expanded mental health services as defined in sections 245.461 to 245.486, the Comprehensive Adult Mental Health Act, excluding inpatient and residential treatment. Increased revenue may also be used for services and consumer supports, which are part of adult mental health projects approved under section 245.4661. "Increased revenue" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 9520.0903, subpart 3.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 9 s 46

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes