This bill mandates that health plans in Minnesota provide coverage for the management and treatment of obesity, recognizing it as a chronic disease. It introduces new definitions related to obesity treatment, including "intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment," "FDA-approved obesity medication," and "metabolic and bariatric surgery." Health plans are required to cover these treatments without imposing more restrictive criteria than those established by the FDA. Additionally, the bill stipulates that coverage for obesity treatment must align with coverage for other illnesses, ensuring consistency in deductibles and co-payments. The bill also allows for utilization management to assess medical necessity, provided it is done in a manner consistent with other covered conditions.

Furthermore, the bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0625, to include a provision for medical assistance to cover obesity management and treatment, mirroring the requirements set for health plans under the new section 62Q.474. The effective date for the health plan provisions is set for January 1, 2027, while the medical assistance coverage will take effect on January 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.0625