The proposed bill establishes a Patient-Centered Care program in Minnesota, aimed at enhancing health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. It authorizes direct payments from the state to licensed healthcare providers for services provided to eligible enrollees of medical assistance and MinnesotaCare. The bill allows counties to implement a county-based purchasing (CBP) system for program administration, which includes care coordination payments to primary care providers and community health workers. Notably, it mandates that the commissioner of human services will not renew contracts with managed care plans for these services, thereby shifting the payment structure towards direct reimbursements to providers. The bill also includes appropriations for funding community health clinics and CBPs to improve outreach and care coordination for individuals facing healthcare access barriers.

Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes and repeals the previous section related to integrated health partnerships, indicating a significant change in healthcare service management in the state. It outlines specific provisions for integrated health partnerships certified as healthcare homes, particularly concerning payment methods and eligibility for certain healthcare payments. The commissioner is tasked with applying for necessary federal waivers and seeking grants under the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act, while also expanding the demonstration project to include more enrollees and encouraging patient engagement with primary care providers. The effective date for these new provisions is set for the day following final enactment, with direct payments to providers starting when current managed care contracts expire on January 1, 2026.

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