Bill > HF729

This bill modifies medical assistance provisions related to home care services in Minnesota, focusing on several key areas. First, it introduces a new concept of "care evaluations," which are face-to-face assessments to develop, update, or review a recipient's home care service plan, excluding personal care assistance. The bill expands medical assistance coverage to include these care evaluations for home health agency services and home care nursing services, with specific requirements about when and by whom they can be conducted. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for increasing payment rates for home health agency services, home care nursing, and homemaker services by an unspecified percentage. A notable new initiative is the establishment of a home care preceptor grant program, which will provide incentive compensation and benefits to home care nurse employees who serve as preceptors for nursing students. Home care providers licensed under Minnesota Statutes can apply for these grants, with selection based on factors like client medical assistance enrollment and geographical distribution. The bill also requires grant recipients to submit a report detailing how the grant money was used. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, and aim to support and improve home care services in Minnesota by enhancing evaluation processes, increasing service rates, and supporting nursing education.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0729&ssn=0&y=2025