The proposed bill establishes a Patient-Centered Care program in Minnesota, aimed at enhancing health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. It allows for direct state payments to licensed healthcare providers for services provided to eligible medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, while enabling counties to implement a county-based purchasing (CBP) system for program administration. The bill also stipulates that the commissioner will not renew contracts with managed care plans and integrated health partnerships, transitioning to a direct payment model. Additionally, it includes provisions for care coordination, allowing primary care providers to receive payments for coordinating care, and emphasizes community outreach by providing grants to community health clinics and CBPs to hire community health workers.

Moreover, the bill repeals the existing Minnesota Statutes section related to integrated health partnerships, indicating a significant change in healthcare service management. It specifies that participants certified as health care homes that agree to population-based payment methods for care coordination will not be eligible for certain payments under integrated health partnerships. The commissioner is tasked with applying for necessary federal waivers and expanding demonstration projects to include more enrollees, while also seeking participation from Medicare and privately insured individuals. The bill aims to incentivize patient engagement with primary care providers and participation in health improvement activities, with the new provisions taking effect the day after final enactment and direct payments starting once current managed care contracts expire on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.0753, 256B.0755