Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to update and clarify regulations around assertive community treatment (ACT) and intensive residential treatment services (IRTS) within Minnesota's health and human services statutes. It intends to ensure that the statutory language is clear and that the policies are consistent with federal and state requirements.

Main Provisions

• Coverage of Services: The bill mandates that medical assistance will cover medically necessary ACT and IRTS when these services are provided by certified and licensed entities.

• Payment Structures: The bill establishes payment structures where compensation for ACT and IRTS is based on a daily rate per provider, including various rehabilitative and crisis services, excluding room and board and certain other medical services like hospitalization.

• Provider Rates: It introduces criteria for setting rates for service providers, considering the cost of services, staff salaries, program costs, and facilities, adding a potential quality incentive.

• Grants and Funding: The commissioner may provide sustainability and startup grants directly to service providers or counties to maintain and establish additional ACT and IRTS services.

• Service Access: The bill focuses on maintaining or increasing access to ACT and IRTS throughout the state to meet emerging community needs effectively.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Recodification: The act recodifies the statutory language relating to ACT and IRTS, making references to previous statutes obsolete, and establishes these codes within a new statutory framework under chapter 256B.

• Repeal of Previous Regulations: The bill repeals existing sections that are replaced or rendered redundant by the updated statutory language.

Relevant Terms

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
• Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS)
• Medical Assistance
• Sustainability Grants
• Startup Grants
• Rehabilitative Services
• Behavioral Health Fund