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256.9691 Technology assistance review panel.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner of health shall establish a technology assistance review panel to resolve disputes over the provision of health care benefits for technology-assisted persons who receive benefits under a policy or plan of health, medical, hospitalization, or accident and sickness insurance regulated under chapter 62A, a subscriber contract of a nonprofit health service plan corporation regulated under chapter 62C, or a certificate of coverage of a health maintenance organization regulated under chapter 62D.

Subd. 2. Definition. For purposes of this section, "technology-assisted person" means a person who:

(1) has a chronic health condition;

(2) requires the routine use of a medical device to compensate for the loss of a life-sustaining body function; and

(3) requires ongoing care or monitoring by trained personnel on a daily basis.

Subd. 3. Steering committee. The commissioner shall appoint a seven-member steering committee to appoint the review panel members, develop policies and procedures for the review process, including the replacement of review panel members, serve as a liaison between the regulatory agencies and the review panel, and provide the review panel with technical assistance. The steering committee shall consist of representatives of the Departments of Health, Human Services, and Commerce; a health maintenance organization regulated under chapter 62D; an insurer regulated under chapter 62A or a health service plan corporation regulated under chapter 62C; an advocacy organization representing persons who are technology assisted; and a tertiary care center that serves technology-assisted persons. The steering committee shall not be reimbursed for any expenses as defined under section 15.0575, subdivision 3. The steering committee shall dissolve no later than June 30, 1992.

Subd. 4. Composition of review panel. (a) The review panel shall be appointed by the members of the steering committee that do not represent state agencies and must include:

(1) a medical director from an insurer regulated under chapter 62A, a health service plan corporation regulated under chapter 62C, or a health maintenance organization regulated under chapter 62D;

(2) a contract benefits analyst from an insurer regulated under chapter 62A, a health service plan corporation regulated under chapter 62C, or a health maintenance organization regulated under chapter 62D;

(3) a consumer board member of an insurer regulated under chapter 62A, a health service plan corporation regulated under chapter 62C, or a health maintenance organization regulated under chapter 62D;

(4) a physician with expertise in providing care for technology-assisted persons in a nonhospital setting;

(5) a registered nurse with expertise in providing care for technology-assisted persons in a nonhospital setting; and

(6) a consumer of health care benefits regulated under chapter 62A, 62C, or 62D who is a technology-assisted person or the parent or guardian of a technology-assisted person.

(b) The term of service for review panel members is three years except that, for the initial appointment, the steering committee shall establish procedures to assure that the terms of the members are staggered. Members are eligible to serve two consecutive terms.

Subd. 5. Authority. The review panel may review cases involving disputes over the provision of contract benefits regarding discharge planning, home health care benefits eligibility and coverage, or changes in the level of home health care services for technology-assisted persons. The review may be requested by a third-party payor, a health or social service professional, or a parent or guardian of a technology-assisted child or a technology-assisted adult. For the case to be eligible for review by the panel, the parent or guardian of a technology-assisted child or technology-assisted adult must consent to the review. The review panel may not review cases involving discharge to a long-term care facility or cases involving coverage by title 18 or 19 of the Social Security Act or other public funding sources. The review panel may seek advice from experts outside the membership of the panel as necessary. The internal grievance process within an insurer, health service plan corporation, or health maintenance organization, except binding arbitration, must be exhausted before requesting a review by the review panel. The recommendations of the review panel are not binding. If, following a review by the review panel, a complaint is filed with the appropriate state agency regarding the same subject matter, the findings of the review panel must be made available to the agency upon request and with the consent of the parent or guardian of a technology-assisted child or technology-assisted adult. The information must be maintained by the agency as nonpublic information under chapter 13. The steering committee may establish policies for reimbursement of expenses for review panel members consistent with the provisions of section 15.0575, subdivision 3.

Subd. 6. Confidentiality. All proceedings of the review organization are nonpublic under chapter 13. All data, information, and findings acquired and developed by the review panel in the exercise of its duties or functions must be held in confidence, may not be disclosed to anyone except to the extent necessary to carry out one or more of the purposes of the review panel or as described in subdivision 5, and are not subject to subpoena or discovery. Members of the review panel may not disclose what transpired at a meeting of the review panel except to the extent necessary to carry out one or more of the purposes of the review panel. The proceedings and record of the review panel are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action against a health care professional or insurer, health service plan corporation, or health maintenance organization, arising out of the matter or matters that are the subject of consideration by the review panel.

Subd. 7. Limitation on liability for members of steering committee and review panel. A person who is a member of, or who acts in an advisory capacity to or who gives counsel or services to, the steering committee or review panel is not liable for damages or other relief in any action brought by a person or persons whose case has been reviewed by the panel, by reason of the performance of any duty, function, or activity of the review panel, unless the performance of the duty, function, or activity was motivated by malice toward the person affected. A member is not liable for damages or other relief in any action by reason of the performance of the member of any duty, function, or activity as a member of the steering committee or review panel or by reason of any recommendation or action of the review committee when the member acts in the reasonable belief that the action or recommendation is warranted by the facts known to the member or review panel after reasonable efforts to ascertain the facts.

HIST: 1990 c 534 s 1

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes