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HF2950 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

State-funded medical assistance and MinnesotaCare provided for inmates of county jails.

Related bill: SF3308

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill is designed to extend state-funded medical assistance and MinnesotaCare benefits to inmates in Minnesota's county jails. It aims to ensure that incarcerated individuals can access necessary medical care and maintain health coverage during their detention.

Main Provisions

  • Medical Assistance for Inmates: The bill allows for medical assistance to be provided to inmates conditionally released to less secure environments like halfway houses, community correction centers, or under house arrest, provided they meet eligibility requirements. It also states that inmates incarcerated for less than 12 months and previously enrolled in medical assistance will have their benefits suspended rather than terminated, reinstating upon release without needing to reapply.

  • Eligibility for MinnesotaCare: Inmates in county jails will be eligible for state-funded MinnesotaCare if they meet other required criteria, and regardless of their awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings.

  • County Responsibilities for Medical Costs: The county board is responsible for covering the costs of medical services for prisoners, up to the medical assistance rate. Prisoners may have to make copayments, which will be determined by the county board and deducted from available prisoner funds if possible.

  • Provider and Insurance Billing: Medical providers must use available health insurance before billing the county. The county has the right to seek reimbursement from the insurance, but not from the medical assistance program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Coverage Reinstatement: Previously, incarcerated individuals may have had to reapply for medical assistance upon release. Now, eligibility is reinstated automatically following release if they remain qualified.

  • Scope of MinnesotaCare: MinnesotaCare eligibility is clarified to include inmates in county jails, expanding health coverage to more individuals in the correctional system.

  • Cost and Payment Regulations: This bill amends regulations concerning county responsibilities and financial interactions related to the healthcare of jailed individuals, promoting a more structured approach to managing these costs, including the right of subrogation by counties.

Relevant Terms

  • Medical assistance
  • MinnesotaCare
  • Inmates/prisoners
  • County jails
  • Health coverage
  • Eligibility requirements
  • County board
  • Copayments
  • Reinstatement of benefits
  • Subrogation rights
  • Public institution

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHealth Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on eligibility for those under electronic surveillance."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies eligibility for medical assistance for inmates under section 256B.055, subdivision 14.",
      "modified": [
        "Reinstatement process for medical assistance eligibility after release from incarceration."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.055",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 14"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Eligibility for state-funded MinnesotaCare for inmates of county jails."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This provision addresses eligibility for MinnesotaCare for individuals in detention.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256L.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 12"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provisions regarding county obligations and rights related to subrogation for medical costs."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section deals with medical aid provided to prisoners in county jails.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on billing procedures against prisoners' existing insurance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "641.15",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Reference to mental health service definitions for calls exempt from prisoner charges.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "245.462",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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