Senate Counsel, Research
and Fiscal Analysis
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
95 University Avenue W. Suite 3300
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4791
Alexis C. Stangl
Director
   Senate   
State of Minnesota
 
 
 
 
 
S.F. No. 2660 - Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services (Second Engrossment)
 
Author: Senator Kathy Sheran
 
Prepared By: Krista Boyd, Senate Fiscal Analyst (651/296-7681)
 
Date: March 26, 2014



 

S. F. No. 2660 modifies nonemergency medical transportation services covered under Medical Assistance (MA).

Section 1 256B.0625, subdivision 17

Paragraph (a) adds a definition for “nonemergency medical transportation service.”

Paragraph (b) specifies that transportation services covered by MA include those provided by nonemergency medical transportation providers, taxicabs, public transit and not-for-hire vehicles, including volunteers.

Paragraph (c) requires nonemergency medical transportation providers to follow operating standards for special transportation services, and exempts public transit, volunteers and not-for-hire vehicles from these operating standards.

Paragraph (d) outlines the requirements administrative agencies of nonemergency medical transportation services must follow, including: adhering to policies developed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in consultation with the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee, reimbursing nonemergency medical transportation providers, providing DHS with data, and utilizing a Web-based assessment tool.

Paragraph (e) requires clients, until the single administrative structure and delivery system is implemented, to obtain a level of service certificate from the Commissioner of Human Services or an approved entity that does not dispatch rides for certain types of transportation modes.

Paragraph (f) allows DHS to use an order by a medical or mental health professional to certify a person requires nonemergency medical transportation services; removes a requirement for nonemergency medical transportation providers to obtain documentation from the health provider on trip information; requires the nonemergency medical transportation providers to maintain trip logs; removes language setting reimbursement rates; and requires clients requesting direct reimbursement to sign a trip log.

Paragraph (g) describes the covered modes of nonemergency medical transportation.

Paragraph (h) requires administrative agencies to use the level of service process established by DHS in consultation with the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee to determine transportation modes, and allows clients to receive a onetime service upgrade if the mode determined under this process is not available. The following modes are established and defined:

  • Client reimbursement
  • Volunteer transport
  • Unassisted transport
  • Assisted transport
  • Lift-equipped/ramp transport
  • Protected transport
  • Stretcher transport

Paragraph (i) requires local agencies to administer the client reimbursement, volunteer transport and unassisted transport modes, with DHS administering the assisted transport, lift-equipped/ramp transport, protected transport and stretcher transport modes, until the single administrative assessment tool is available, or until July 1, 2016, whichever is later. At that time, local agencies will be the administrative agencies for all modes.

Paragraph (j) requires DHS in consultation with the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee to verify that the modes are appropriate and clients are being transported to approved medical appointments, and investigate all complaints and appeals.

Paragraph (k) requires administrative agencies to reimburse for nonemergency medical transportation services and adhere to sanctions and monetary recovery action requirements.

Paragraph (l) requires reimbursement for nonemergency medical transportation services be based on clients’ assessed mode, and sets reimbursement rates for each mode.

Paragraph (m) requires quarterly fuel adjustments for per mile reimbursement rates under paragraph (l) when the statewide average price of gas is above $3.50 per gallon.

Paragraph (n) adjusts base and per mile reimbursement rates under paragraph (l) for services in areas designated as rural and super rural.

Paragraph (o) makes a conforming language change.

Paragraph (q) removes a 4.5 percent rate reduction for nonemergency medical transportation services on July 1, 2014.

Section 2 (256B.0625, subdivision 17a) removes a 4.5 percent rate reduction for ambulance services on July 1, 2014.

Section 3 (256B.0625, subdivision 18a) requires that direct mileage reimbursements to clients not be above 80 percent of the Internal Revenue Service standard mileage rate.

Section 4 (256B.0625, subdivision 18b) specifies that DHS cannot use brokers for bus or taxicab transportation.

Section 5 (256B.0625, subdivision 18c) requires the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee to meet quarterly in 2015, then at least biannually until December 1, 2019 when the Committee expires; makes changes to the advice and recommendations the Committee must make to DHS; and outlines the process for placing items on the Committee’s agenda.

Section 6 (256B.0625, subdivision 18d) makes changes to the required voting members of the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee.

Section 7 (256B.0625, subdivision 18e) requires DHS to implement a single administrative structure for nonemergency medical transportation once the assessment tool is available or July 1, 2016, whichever is later, and outlines the assessment tool’s requirements, including that it be Web-based and developed in coordination with the Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

Section 8 (256B.0625, subdivision 18g) removes language requiring DHS, in consultation with the Nonemergency Medical Transportation Advisory Committee, to establish performance measures; requires DHS to collect, audit and analyze data beginning in 2015.

Section 9 exempts managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans from subdivision 17, paragraphs (d) to (m); subdivision 18e; and subdivision 18g.

Section 10 defines “new providers;” allows DHS to grant a variance to new providers from special transportation service operating standards and requiring these variances to expire the earlier of February 1, 2016, or when MnDOT begins certifying new providers; requires DHS to report to MnDOT on the number of variance requests received and approved; requires MnDOT to provide a report to the Legislature by February 1, 2015, on recommended changes to statutes, laws, and rules to implement the provisions in this bill, including the fee amount required to cover the cost of inspection and certification, and any necessary rulemaking authority.

Section 11 repeals 256B.0625, subdivision 18f (enrollee assessment process).

 Section 12 makes sections 1 to 10 effective August 1, 2014.

DL/rdr

 
Check on the status of this bill
 
Back to Senate Counsel and Research Bill Summaries page
 

 
This page is maintained by the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis for the Minnesota Senate.
 
Last review or update: 03/26/2014
 
If you see any errors on this page, please e-mail us at webmaster@senate.mn