This bill mandates that all health plans in Minnesota must provide coverage for bowel and bladder management specifically for individuals with spinal cord injuries. It defines "bowel and bladder management for spinal cord injuries" to include any prescribed treatment, service, supply, or equipment necessary for managing these conditions. The bill prohibits health plans from imposing any additional cost-sharing requirements, review or referral limitations, or quantity limitations that are not generally applicable to other coverages. Furthermore, the commissioner of commerce is tasked with reimbursing health plan companies for the costs associated with this mandated coverage, ensuring that only new coverage required by this bill is eligible for reimbursement.

Additionally, the bill amends Minnesota Statutes to include coverage for bowel and bladder management in medical assistance and MinnesotaCare, aligning these programs with the new health plan requirements. It appropriates funds from the general fund to cover the estimated costs of implementing this mandated coverage and for administrative expenses related to it. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.0625