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 medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees. The bill allows counties to implement a county-based purchasing (CBP) system for program administration, with the commissioner overseeing the payment process. It mandates that providers bill the state or CBP directly, preventing the transfer of financial risk to providers. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for care coordination, compensating primary care providers for coordinating care for enrollees, and emphasizes outreach efforts to assist vulnerable populations in accessing medical services.

The bill also amends existing statutes related to care coordination payments, shifting from a system based on certified health care homes to one focused on licensed providers and community health workers. It repeals the Integrated Health Partnership Demonstration Project and introduces new appropriations for grants to community health clinics and CBPs to support outreach and care coordination services. The effective date for the direct payments under the Patient-Centered Care program is set for January 1, 2026. The bill outlines specific provisions regarding payment methods for integrated health partnerships and mandates the commissioner to apply for necessary federal waivers to implement the program, while also expanding participation to include more enrollees and incentivizing patient engagement with primary care providers.

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