This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0625, by adding a new subdivision that requires medical assistance to cover birth services provided at home. The bill defines "birth services" to include prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum services, and specifies that these services must be provided by eligible providers, which include certified professional midwives, certified nurse-midwives, physicians, certified nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. To qualify for coverage, the recipient must be deemed a low-risk patient and have a comprehensive plan of care that includes a consent form, adequate prenatal care documentation, and a plan for potential transfer to a hospital.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that professional services provided by eligible providers will be reimbursed at 100% of the rate paid to physicians for similar services. However, if the eligible provider does not perform the delivery, they cannot bill for delivery services. Facility services related to home births will be reimbursed at 70% of the statewide average for hospital facility payment rates for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. If a recipient is transported to a hospital before delivery, the payment for facility services will be capped at either the billed charges or 15% of the statewide average for hospital facility payment rates for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.0625