Bill > SF476

This bill expands medical assistance services by introducing a new concept called "care evaluations" for home care services. The bill defines care evaluations as face-to-face assessments to develop, update, or review a recipient's home care service plan, excluding personal care assistance. The legislation modifies existing statutes to include care evaluations as a covered service for home health agency services and home care nursing, with specific provisions for when and how these evaluations can be conducted. The bill also increases payment rates for various home care services, including home health agency services, home care nursing, and homemaker assistance. Additionally, the bill establishes a new home care preceptor grant program to provide incentive compensation for home care nurses who serve as preceptors for nursing students. The grant program will run from 2026 to 2028, with recipients required to submit a report on how the grant money was used. The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, and the bill includes an appropriation to fund the preceptor grant program. The overall aim appears to be improving the quality and accessibility of home care services by supporting healthcare workers and expanding service coverage.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0476&ssn=0&y=2025