HF2172

HF2172 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Medical assistance coverage of audio-only telehealth extended.

Related bill: SF2743

AI Generated Summary

This bill, H.F. No. 2172, authored by Representative Backer, proposes an amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0625, subdivision 3b, to extend Medical Assistance (Medicaid) coverage for audio-only telehealth services.

Key Provisions:

Equal Coverage for Telehealth Services
- Medical Assistance will continue to cover medically necessary services and consultations provided via telehealth at the same reimbursement rate as in-person services.
Provider Criteria for Telehealth Services
- Health care providers must attest to the safety and efficacy of delivering services via telehealth.
- Providers must have policies for patient safety, service continuity, and quality assurance.
Telehealth Documentation Requirements
- Providers must document details of each telehealth service, including:
  - Type of service
  - Time of service (start and end)
  - Justification for telehealth usage
  - Mode of communication used
  - Locations of both provider and patient
  - Any physician consultation details
Coverage of Audio-Only Telehealth
- The bill extends coverage for audio-only telehealth services (such as phone calls) from July 1, 2025, through July 1, 2028.
- Normally, "telehealth" requires two-way audio-visual communication, but this temporary exception allows certain services to be reimbursable even if they are audio-only.
Applicable Health Care Providers
- Includes physicians, mental health professionals, community health workers, alcohol and drug counselors, recovery peers, and others.
Telehealth Eligibility at Federally Qualified Health Centers & Clinics
- Telehealth visits, including video-based calls, can fulfill face-to-face visit requirements for specific clinics, such as:
  - Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  - Rural Health Clinics
  - Indian Health Services/Tribal 638 Clinics
  - Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)

Impact:

Expands access to healthcare for individuals who cannot use video-based platforms, particularly in rural or underserved areas.
Ensures continued reimbursement for telehealth services, preventing potential coverage gaps.
Strengthens regulations and accountability for healthcare providers delivering telehealth services.

This bill, if passed, would ensure that Medical Assistance enrollees in Minnesota can continue to receive vital healthcare services via telehealth, including phone-based consultations, for an extended period (until 2028).

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 11, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Human Services Finance and Policy
March 11, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Human Services Finance and Policy
March 11, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Human Services Finance and Policy
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of audio-only communication as telehealth from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2028."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies medical assistance coverage for telehealth services under section 256B.0625.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification that telehealth services delivered through audio and visual communication can satisfy in-person visit requirements for specific clinics."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.0625",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3b"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section sets forth the documentation requirements for health care service records delivered through telehealth.",
      "modified": [
        "Revised requirements for documentation of telehealth services, including specifications for timing and mode of transmission."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "9505.2175",
    "subdivision": "subparts 1 and 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines terms related to telehealth services under section 62A.673.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates definitions for originating site, distant site, and store-and-forward technology in the context of telehealth."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "62A.673",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines a community paramedic under section 144E.001.",
      "modified": [
        "Further integration of community paramedics into telehealth service providers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144E.001",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5f"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines a mental health certified peer specialist under section 245I.04.",
      "modified": [
        "Includes mental health peer specialists in the list of recognized telehealth service providers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245I.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines a mental health certified family peer specialist under section 245I.04.",
      "modified": [
        "Broadens the scope of telehealth by including certified family peer specialists as providers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245I.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 12"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines a mental health rehabilitation worker under section 245I.04.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates roles in telehealth service delivery to include mental health rehabilitation workers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245I.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 14"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines a mental health behavioral aide under section 245I.04.",
      "modified": [
        "Ensures mental health behavioral aides are part of telehealth service provider definitions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245I.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 16"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines a treatment coordinator under section 245G.11.",
      "modified": [
        "Allows treatment coordinators to engage in telehealth delivery systems."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245G.11",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines an alcohol and drug counselor under section 245G.11.",
      "modified": [
        "Recognizes alcohol and drug counselors as eligible telehealth providers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245G.11",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines a recovery peer under section 245G.11.",
      "modified": [
        "Integrates recovery peers into telehealth services definitions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "245G.11",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  }
]