2007 Minnesota Statutes

214.40 VOLUNTEER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PROGRAM.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Administrative services unit" means the administrative services unit for the
health-related licensing boards.
(c) "Charitable organization" means a charitable organization within the meaning of section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that has as a purpose the sponsorship or support of
programs designed to improve the quality, awareness, and availability of health care services and
that serves as a funding mechanism for providing those services.
(d) "Health care facility or organization" means a health care facility licensed under chapter
144 or 144A, or a charitable organization.
(e) "Health care provider" means a physician licensed under chapter 147, physician assistant
registered and practicing under chapter 147A, nurse licensed and registered to practice under
chapter 148, or dentist or dental hygienist licensed under chapter 150A.
(f) "Health care services" means health promotion, health monitoring, health education,
diagnosis, treatment, minor surgical procedures, the administration of local anesthesia for the
stitching of wounds, and primary dental services, including preventive, diagnostic, restorative,
and emergency treatment. Health care services do not include the administration of general
anesthesia or surgical procedures other than minor surgical procedures.
(g) "Medical professional liability insurance" means medical malpractice insurance as
defined in section 62F.03.
    Subd. 2. Establishment. The administrative services unit shall establish a volunteer health
care provider program to facilitate the provision of health care services provided by volunteer
health care providers through eligible health care facilities and organizations.
    Subd. 3. Participation of health care facilities. To participate in the program established
in subdivision 2, a health care facility or organization must register with the administrative
services unit on forms provided by the administrative services unit and must meet the following
requirements:
(1) be licensed to the extent required by law or regulation;
(2) provide evidence that the provision of health care services to the uninsured and
underinsured is the primary purpose of the facility or organization;
(3) certify that it maintains adequate general liability and professional liability insurance
for program staff other than the volunteer health care provider or is properly and adequately
self-insured;
(4) agree to report annually to the administrative services unit the number of volunteers,
number of volunteer hours provided, number of patients seen by volunteer providers, and types
of services provided; and
(5) agree to pay to the administrative services unit an annual participation fee of $50. All
fees collected are deposited into the state government special revenue fund and are appropriated
to the administrative services unit for purposes of administering the program.
    Subd. 4. Health care provider registration. (a) To participate in the program established
in subdivision 2, a health care provider shall register with the administrative services unit.
Registration may be approved if the provider has submitted a certified statement on forms
provided by the administrative services unit attesting that the health care provider agrees to:
(1) receive no direct monetary compensation of any kind for services provided in the
program;
(2) submit a sworn statement attesting that the license to practice is free of restrictions.
The statement must describe:
(i) any disciplinary action taken against the health care provider by a professional licensing
authority or health care facility, including any voluntary surrender of license or other agreement
involving the health care provider's license to practice or any restrictions on practice, suspension
of privileges, or other sanctions; and
(ii) any malpractice suits filed against the health care provider and the outcome of any
suits filed;
(3) submit any additional materials requested by the administrative services unit;
(4) identify the eligible program through which the health care services will be provided and
the health care facilities at which the services will be provided; and
(5) if coverage is purchased for the provider under subdivision 7, comply with any risk
management and loss prevention policies imposed by the insurer.
(b) Registration expires two years from the date the registration was approved. A health
care provider may apply for renewal by filing with the administrative services unit a renewal
application at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the registration.
    Subd. 5. Revocation of eligibility and registration. The administrative services unit may
suspend, revoke, or condition the eligibility of a health care provider for cause, including, but not
limited to, the failure to comply with the agreement with the administrative services unit and the
imposition of disciplinary action by the licensing board that regulates the health care provider.
    Subd. 6. Board notice of disciplinary action. The applicable health-related licensing board
shall immediately notify the administrative services unit of the initiation of a contested case
against a registered health care provider or the imposition of disciplinary action, including copies
of any contested case decision or settlement agreement with the health care provider.
    Subd. 7. Medical professional liability insurance. (a) The administrative services unit must
purchase medical professional liability insurance, if available, for a health care provider who is
registered in accordance with subdivision 4 and who is not otherwise covered by a medical
professional liability insurance policy or self-insured plan either personally or through another
facility or employer.
(b) Coverage purchased under this subdivision must be limited to the provision of health
care services performed by the provider for which the provider does not receive direct monetary
compensation.
History: 2002 c 399 s 3