Bill > SF86

This bill establishes a statewide school-based telehealth program administered by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health, designed to provide mental and physical healthcare services to students through digital platforms. The program will involve selecting a single telehealth provider through a competitive proposal process, with specific requirements including experience providing healthcare in educational settings, cultural competence, and the ability to serve large student populations. The selected provider must offer services free of charge to uninsured students and waive cost-sharing for all students, while providing necessary equipment and technology platforms at no cost to participating school districts. School districts can voluntarily join the program, but cannot use these telehealth services to replace existing student support services like school nurses or counselors. The bill appropriates $20 million in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund the program, with money allocated for per-student capitation rates, initial program establishment costs, and program evaluation. The telehealth provider will be required to bill health carriers and the Department of Human Services for services, and the Commissioner of Health must report on the program's effectiveness to legislative committees every two years, beginning in January 2027. The program is set to become effective on July 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0086&ssn=0&y=2025