This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.0625, by adding a new subdivision that mandates medical assistance to cover palliative care services effective July 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The bill defines palliative care and ensures that coverage is available for all enrollee populations, including underserved groups and across various care settings such as hospitals and community-based facilities. It also stipulates that reimbursement for palliative care services must be accessible to all participating medical assistance providers involved in the patient's interdisciplinary care team, and that the commissioner of human services is tasked with adopting rules to implement these provisions based on national guidelines.

Additionally, the bill includes a provision that the introduction of the palliative care benefit should not lead to the reduction of other covered benefits for medical assistance enrollees. It ensures that enrollees can receive palliative care alongside other health services without duplicating care. Managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans are also required to provide coverage for these services. The bill appropriates funds from the general fund to the commissioner of human services to develop the palliative care benefit, with a one-time allocation available until June 30, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.0625