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HF2955 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

County-administered rural medical assistance program established; payment, coverage, and eligibility requirements for the CARMA program established; and commissioner of human services directed to seek federal waivers.

Related bill: SF3149

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish a county-administered rural medical assistance program called the County-Administered Rural Medical Assistance (CARMA) program in Minnesota. This program aims to ensure that counties have more authority and involvement in the administration and coordination of medical assistance services, particularly in rural areas.

Main Provisions

  • County Authority in Medical Assistance: The bill gives county boards more control in the development, approval, and implementation of the medical assistance prepayment program. It allows them to make recommendations, review proposals, and ensure that local needs and networks are adequately addressed.

  • Contractual and Health Plan Selection: Counties, together with the state commissioner, will select health plans for participation in the prepaid medical assistance program and have a say in contract renewals. The bill also allows counties to develop specific contract requirements that relate to local public health goals.

  • Dispute Resolution: If disagreements arise between counties and the commissioner regarding health plan selection or contract stipulations, a mediation panel will resolve these disputes.

  • Federal Waivers: The commissioner of human services is directed to seek necessary federal waivers that will facilitate the implementation and support of the CARMA program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Termination of Existing Contracts: Starting January 1, 2027, the commissioner is mandated to terminate existing health plan contracts in counties with pre-existing medical assistance programs if the counties submit and have accepted new proposals according to prescribed guidelines.

  • County-Based Purchasing: Counties that opt out of county-based purchasing cannot resume it for at least five years after discontinuation.

  • Health Plan Contracting: The bill prohibits requiring a mediation panel that includes representatives from the Minnesota Council of Health Plans for resolving contractual disputes between county-based purchasing entities and the commissioner.

  • Uniform Reprocurement Schedule: Upon request from a county-purchasing entity, all counties in its service area will have the same contract reprocurement or renewal schedule.

  • Reporting Requirement: The commissioner must provide a detailed report to legislative committees, explaining efforts to comply with the bill's provisions and justifying any decisions not to accept county recommendations related to contract negotiation and implementation.

Relevant Terms

  • County-administered rural medical assistance
  • CARMA program
  • Prepaid medical assistance
  • County-based purchasing
  • Health plan contracts
  • Federal waivers
  • Mediation panel

Bill text versions

Actions

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

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Adds requirements for county participation in the selection of health plans and contract negotiations."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Removes direct requirement for dual acceptance in proposals between county boards and the commissioner."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the county authority in the implementation of medical assistance programs under section 256B.69, subdivision 3a.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes procedures for dispute resolution involving health plan participation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.69",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New procedures for termination of health plan contracts by county boards."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill impacts county-based purchasing programs under section 256B.692, subdivision 5.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts timelines for contract termination and proposal acceptance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "256B.692",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

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