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256.9693 INPATIENT TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.
The commissioner shall establish a continuing care benefit program for persons with mental
illness in which persons with mental illness may obtain acute care hospital inpatient treatment
for mental illness for up to 45 days beyond that allowed by section 256.969. The commissioner
may authorize additional days beyond 45 based on an individual review of medical necessity.
Persons with mental illness who are eligible for medical assistance may obtain inpatient treatment
under this program in hospital beds for which the commissioner contracts under this section. The
commissioner may selectively contract with hospitals to provide this benefit through competitive
bidding when reasonable geographic access by recipients can be assured. Payments under
this section shall not affect payments under section 256.969. The commissioner may contract
externally with a utilization review organization to authorize persons with mental illness to access
the continuing care benefit program. The commissioner, as part of the contracts with hospitals,
shall establish admission criteria to allow persons with mental illness to access the continuing
care benefit program. If a court orders acute care hospital inpatient treatment for mental illness for
a person, the person may obtain the treatment under the continuing care benefit program. The
commissioner shall not require, as part of the admission criteria, any commitment or petition
under chapter 253B as a condition of accessing the program. This benefit is not available for
people who are also eligible for Medicare and who have not exhausted their annual or lifetime
inpatient psychiatric benefit under Medicare. If a recipient is enrolled in a prepaid plan, this
program is included in the plan's coverage.
History: 1Sp2001 c 9 art 9 s 38; 2002 c 379 art 1 s 113; 2005 c 165 art 1 s 2

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes